Another Letter To a Student

Yesterday I shared a letter I wrote to one of my students, but what you don't realize is that these letters are like potato chips, "you can't have just one." So I thought I would share a second one I felt compelled to write...

I really wanted to get you a great gift, but nothing seemed to be enough to show much I have enjoyed having you in class, in school, and in my life. You are a truly remarkable person. It is hard to believe you are the same person who, as a freshman, made me root beer cookies, who couldn’t put an article together for the newsletter without a complete reorganization, or who was so quiet others didn’t think you would eventually take charge.
Your accomplishments have been big, and you probably don’t realize it.

1. You have started a tradition. I bet we will continue with the “Got Milk” ads, simply because the elementary kids enjoy seeing the posters in the cafeteria each day. It is something everyone can be proud of, and it was a brilliant idea.
2. You have a legacy of pictures in both the annual and the newsletter over the last couple of years. How will I ever find someone as passionate about going to every event and taking pictures. No one is as bold as you.
3. You have set the bar high for the writers of our school. I am sure that no one will show as much improvement as you have over four years. If everyone had as much perseverance as you do, everyone could anything they set their mind to.
4. You have proven yourself as a leader. You have quietly taken charge of the newspaper. You have pushed, prodded, pulled, cajoled, begged, and pleaded articles out of every student in our class. You have taken on more work than any other student in the class – consistently every month.
5. You have been a great role model not only for your journalism classmates, but also for other students in the building, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. You have done great things with the elementary kids, with the TADA group, and with our involvement in activities. You have given an example of how to have fun and “get high on life.”
6. You have been a great friend to all. And when I say all, I also mean me. You have proven that you will do anything for anyone at anytime. You have found that fine line between being helpful and not getting taken advantage of. You have found the line between being a friend and being a friendly leader, which often the most difficult thing to pull off, but you seemed to do it effortlessly.

I could probably go on and risk embarrassing you, but I also want to be assured that you are told what a great person you are. People too often think nice things about others, but are afraid to say them out loud. So I just wanted to tell you what a special young woman you have become, and I look forward to seeing how your life turns out. I look forward to seeing your byline – so be sure to send emails so I can subscribe to your college paper, or download a copy so I can see how far you take this career ambition. No matter what you choose to study, even if it turns out not to be journalism, no matter where you choose to live, or what you choose to do with your life, I will be waiting in the wings to see how things turn out. You always have me to turn to for help, support, guidance, or simply admiration. I will miss you. I will miss your cooking. I will miss your spelling errors. I will miss you checking on me when we are on deadline. But most of all, I will miss seeing your shining face every day. Good Luck and God Bless you with your future.