Dear Knoch, 

Although I didn’t necessarily choose to come here, I am glad I did. 

Picture this: It’s the year ~2002, and my parents are looking to buy a lifelong house together.  My brother is only a few months old, and they have the intention to have another kid.  While trying to pick a house, they are heavily considering which school district their kids would eventually be going to.  They pick a house.  They chose Knoch (believe it or not, Knoch is actually a very good school).

Dear Teachers, 

Thank you for shaping all of our lives, year by year.  Thank you for instilling us with wisdom and helping us discover what we want to do for the rest of our lives.  You guys are the stepping stones into us making our future plans.  Are we going to pursue higher education?  What major?

You help us decide those important details, and the way you teach your class truly has such an influence on us. You genuinely change our lives.  

Dear classmates, 

Even if we’re not exactly friends, I think about you all the time. No one in particular, but just in general.  You guys are the people that I have grown up with, and it is going to be so, so strange waking up Monday through Friday each week of the school year, and not seeing you all bright and early in the morning.  I have to admit… It’s a little scary.  I’ll miss you all.

Dear friends, 

You know the good ol’ saying: “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with” -Jim Rohn.  When we’re young, the concept of making friends is honestly quite ironic.   It’s not so much “who do I really get along with and choose to be friends with,” it’s more of “who did my teacher have me sit next to, and since we’re young, mindless kids, we just ended up becoming friends.”  And so, I think that there is some limit to how much control we have over who we become friends with, which leads to who we eventually become…  I’m glad you guys are my friends hehe. Thank you for all the little inside jokes and laughing at my HORRIBLE “dad joke” sense of humor.  You guys are a big part of the reason that there is always a smile on my face.  See you soon. 🙂

Dear family, 

Thank you for all of your support throughout the years.  I would not be where I am today without you guys.  I am so grateful for everything you have done for me, and I can’t thank you enough.  Whether it was transporting me, looking over essays, supporting me financially, coming to my events, or telling me good job, you guys have always been there for me. Thank you for your everlasting support, it all means more than you think.

Dear underclassman, 

You got this.

This is just my personal opinion obviously, but with my experiences, I can confidently conclude that it’s all about mindset.  You can conquer anything. I believe in you!  “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt. Enjoy life today because yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is never promised.  Stay positive, and have a good time.  🙂

Dear past me, 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you.  I am so proud of you for being the proactive advocate that you were.  I can’t even imagine where I would be in life right now if you made even a slightly different decision at some point.  Who knows what all made you who you are, but everything happens for a reason.  I am so beyond proud of you.  You have accomplished so much, and you are so strong!!  You have such a bright future.  

You did well, Lexi.

Dear future me, 

Never give up.  Who knows if or when you are going to come back and reread this, but I hope you are happy.  I hope you have followed your dreams and stayed true to yourself.  Remember to laugh, smile, and enjoy the little things.

Past you wishes you the best of luck.  See you soon.