Dear Future Self

Dear Future Self,

Now that you are a successful prosecution lawyer, I hope you see why you had to work so hard to get where you are now. I know that you hated Social Studies, but you had to do the work in order to become a lawyer. Now, you help the community by winning cases to convict killers, robbers, rapists. It should make you feel good to have a job like this.

Sincerely,

Mariya

(Mariya Cummings, 9th Grade)

Good Role Model to All

In the future, I would like to be a well-groomed woman who knows what she wants. I also want to help others in society, my family, the African American community and my overall country. I would also like to help people over there in Africa. I want to help people as a medical doctor, a gynecologist.

I would love to be married and have two children, a girl and a boy. My girl's name will be Ava Gail. My little boy's name will be Cimond. I will want them to know that I will always love and be there for them. I also want my children to know that they have the ability to be whomever they want to be if they work hard and try their very best. I will want my children to know that I did not achieve success by just wishing. I first had a dream, then I worked hard and achieved it.

I want to be a good role model to all.

(Abigail Taylor, 9th Grade)

Dear Past Self (from A. Frederick)

Dear Past Self,

I thank you for letting me build up to where I am today. All the hard work you did helped me to get where I am today. Hopefully, I will continue to keep the hard work up, because times are now hard. But I know that if I can keep up the good work that rewards will come.

One piece of advice I can give is that hard work pays off. To be successful, you have to work hard. That's why I am now trying to be involved in a lot of programs The more activities that I am involved in, the better opportunities you will have in the future.

With love and respect,

Aaron

(Aaron Frederick, 9th Grade)

To My Future Children

Dear Eli and Payton,

Even though you are not physically here, I feel as if you were. I put my everything into finishing high school on time and going to college. I graduted from Georgia State with a CRNA degree. Your father and I got married before you were born. I have big dreams for you two. I want for you to take advantage of all the opportunities we provided for you.

Here is my advice: Do not take your education for granted. Do not get anyone pregnant before you are married. Do not let anyone detour you from your dreams or involve you in anything illegal. I grew up in the '90s and early '00s. Even though it was a time of little problems, I still struggled to succeed. I only hope that you take my words to heart.

I love you guys more than I have ever loved anything in my life.

All my love,

Mama

(M. Cannon, 11th Grade)

Dear Future Self (from J. Scott)

Dear Future Self,

You have truly made it a long way. You've been through many obstacles; however, you overcame them all.

I know it feels good to make your own money and have your own house. Even though you haven't settled down yet, it will surely come. You are really an inspiration for all the young girls out there. Everything they go through to become a young lady, you have been through. You graduted at the top of your class without conceiving a child. You attended college then enlisted in the United States Air Force. You have traveled around the world and don't have to wait on ANYONE hand and foot.

You have made through. Congratulations!

All my love,

Ja'Keila

(Ja'Keila Scott, 9th Grade)

Dear Future Self (from A. Pace)

Dear Future Self,

I hope that you don't continue to make the same mistakes you've made in the past. I hope you have learned to forgive the people who have done you wrong. I hope that you have changed your ways from the Amahdiyya that was very selfish and inconsiderate.

I hope tht you are in college getting good education to prepare you for something you've always dreamed of doing. I hope you aren't pregnant. I hope your mom is still alive. I hope that you and your father are talking and seeing each other on a regular basis. I hope that you don't get caught up in alcohol and weed.

I hope you grow, stay a leader and not a follower. I hope that you meet a nice boy who respects you. I hope you get to travel around the world and help people. I hope you know that I have faith in you.

With love,

Amahdiyya

(Amahdiyya Pace, 9th Grade)

Dear Future Self (from S. Lowe)

Dear Future Self,

All I can say is that you've grown so much. You've learned how to pick and choose your friends, how to maintain a healthy and happy life and also how to be successful. Your dreams have come true. You've given back to the world. You are a true humanitarian and have made an impact on so many lives. Not only do you have financial stability, but you have a new family. You have not always been perfect but, with God's help, you have tried to turn away from anything bad. You are now a responsible adult.

As an international aid worker, your job is to travel to "less fortunate" countries to help improve their way of life. I may be creating a better water source or bringing better technology or imroving medical conditions. I can say tht I am very proud of you and hope that you share everything you've learned with the generations that follow.

Much love,

Shundreya

(Shundreya Lowe, 9th Grade)

An Eye for Nature

I remember cruising on the road going somewhere when I was little. All I can remember is trees and lakes. It took us a long time, and I guess that's the reason why I can't recall where we went. Overall, it was a beautiful sight and is probably what made me want to become a photographer.

Nature is so beautiful in my opinion, and I really enjoy it. It brings joy and peace to the state of my mind. Hopefully my children and their children will enjoy it as much as I do. I would like my ancestors to know that I believe that the most beautiful thing on this earth is the eye of nature.

A year from now on March 19, 2012 I would love to be practicing photography and exploring Georgia nature. That way, I will be able to share my love of nature with others. Maybe some random person who happens to see a photo I took will develop an eye for nature.

(Brittany Ward, 9th grade)

Image credit: Bonita Cutliff's blog

Dear Future Self (from K. Huggins)

Dear Future Self,

You know of all of your problems. You know that in your family girls have become pregnant early. Break the chains. Boys like sex. That's all they want. Say no to drugs. It's all bad. You know you are intelligent. Get into more academic clubs. You are thin for a reason; use your body for sports. "Love is blind." Don't judge a book by a cover. Everyone is equal. You're great, and don't you ever forget it. You're a beautiful, strong, intelligent, loving and caring mother and wife. You are one of the best medical doctors in the U.S. You've graduated from Spelman and Emory. You are married to a loving man. He is an architect, and together you make over thirty figures. You have two kids named MacKenzie Ashley Marie and Payton Jamal. They are beautiful. You live in a great house. You are lucky!

I love you,

Kayla

(Kayla Huggins, 9th grade)