What advice do you have for seventeen-year-olds now?
Mr. Beach - “Read, read, and read some more. And when you are done with that read some more.”
Ms. Braun - “I always knew what I wanted to pursue, but it’s okay to not know. Don’t be so concerned with high school drama because in a year it won’t matter. Be good to your family, they’re always there for you. Travel.”
Senora Candau - “Don’t obsess over your grades or what college you’ll get into. Have respect for yourself and be kind to others. Build relationships, not resumes. Be passionate about something. Learn all you can. Know what is going on in the world around you and make things better for someone else. Vote.”
Mr. Doringo - “I hate when older people give advice to seventeen-year-olds about doing this, thinking about that. I never listened to that stuff and I don’t think most seventeen-year-olds do. You’re in a different place, and any lesson is only going to sink in once you experience it. And by then, it’s usually too late to take the advice. You learn from that, try not to beat yourself up too much, and think about the rest of today. That’s all anyone can do. If I ever start giving advice in class about your futures, please interrupt me and remind me of what I [said above]. That’s what my kids do!”
Mrs. Fleming - “Do your best at school, but sometimes you need to relax and not worry about the small stuff. You won’t remember all of the little things that are stressing you out now.”
Mr. Fowler - “Don’t fall into the trap of selfishness that tells you that your own well-being should be the ultimate goal of your life. At every opportunity, I would encourage you to give of yourself in the service of the communal good.”
Mr. Greenfield - “This is the dress rehearsal - don’t take it for granted. When you’re in the ‘real show,’ there are no stage managers to help you, and it can get downright existential in that spotlight.”
Mr. Grejtak - “Don’t waste opportunities, no matter how small; value the persons and friends who know you and hear their advice, even if you don’t necessarily or fully agree with that advice; finally, don’t give up on or abandon your religious beliefs; question them but don’t discard them as old fashioned, conventional, or unimportant. Like Socrates said, ‘The unexamined life is not worth living.’ Read and explore!”
Dr. Gutowski - “Think outside of yourself. As I look back on myself at seventeen, there’s much I would like the current me to tell the me at seventeen. That’s obviously not possible, but I think that if I could have seen myself back then as others saw me, I would have had a better idea of the world in which I lived; a world which I still miss (although I am very happy to not be young anymore). If I had a better sense of my world back then, I could have done a better job of living in it. So my advice: try to see yourself as others see you.”
Ms. McKinnon - “Be present and enjoy life. Work hard, but focus on learning more than the grade. Rest, play, and create, too. Stick to what you know is right and be proud of your decisions. Peer pressure’s way overrated, and the opinions of your peers now won’t matter to you in the future. Being able to say that you followed your heart and conscience will. Pursue your dreams and make college plans based on your own career goals and interests. It may seem like a great idea to make college plans with your boyfriend or girlfriend; from personal experience, it really isn’t. If it’s meant to be, it will be. You are beautiful, handsome, and good. Don’t feel bad about yourself. In ten years, you’ll look at pictures from high school and realize just how awesome you really were. Be kind and tell people who you love that you love them. Be good to others and refuse to participate in cruelty or bullying. Stand up for what’s right. Everyone’s carrying a burden, even if you can’t see it. Help make each other’s lives easier, not harder. Love yourself. You are worthy and good and not alone.”
Mrs. Petros - “Always strive to make God known, loved, and served while pursuing your vocation.”
Mr. Ryzner - “Don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s not that hard to be nice to everyone. Find a blend of confidence and humility. Stay safe. Stay out of trouble.”
Mr. Screnci - “Challenge yourself as much as possible to be the best you can be. If you really want to be great at something, make sure you are dedicated to the goal. Being great does not come without work behind it. Take risks and do not worry about failing. The only failure is not trying.”
Mr. Teisl - “Focus. Set some goals.”
