CRIA Motmot Issue 3 Edition 4: Class of 2024

CRIA’s

Table of Contents

Class of 2024 Letters

Valerie Guzman: “Dear Incoming High Schoolers”,

Daniel Heiman: “Dear CRIA Student,”

Maya Ortiz: “Dear CRIA High Schooler,”

Zoe Ortiz: “Dear CRIA High Schooler,”

Emilia Price: “Dear CRIA Student,”

Brianna Rubin: “Dear CRIA Students and Future Seniors,”

Sebastian Hidalgo: “Dear CRIA Student,”

Zachary Sell: “Dear Upcoming Seniors,”

Johanna Beeson: “Dear incoming high schoolers,”

Teo Gale: “Dear CRIA Student,”

Megan Arnold: “Dear Senior,”

Arielle Balsky: “Dear Future Graduate,”

Sowie Batle: “Dear Senior,”

Michael Castillo: “Dear CRIA Student,”

Kai Cordero: “Dear Senior,”

Alex Clark: “Dear CRIA Student,”

Eva DeGarist: “Dear New Student From the United States,”

Mattieu Demore: “To My Fellow Costa Rica International Academy Students,”

Sienna Fischer: “Dear CRIA Highschool Student,”

Kendall Arnold: “Dear CRIA seniors,”

Class of 2024’s Other Creative Works

Alexa de Haan: “Untitled Cat”

The Motmot Team

Sky Cultraro Co Editor

Ren Owens Co Editor

Sienna Balecki Co Editor

Chris Crabtree Faculty Dunsel

Valerie Guzman

Dearincominghighschoolers,

AsIstandonthebrinkofleavinghighschoolbehindandsteppingintothenextchapterof mylife,IfeellikeitwouldbenicetosharesomewisdomwithyoubecauseIwasajunior beforeIwasaSenior,aSophmorebeforeIwasaJuniorandaFreshmanbeforeaSophomore. Thischapterofyourlifewillbethegreatestandthehardestatthesametime,andIwouldhave lovedsomewordsofwisdomtogetmethroughit.SohereIam,totryandgiveyouallwhatI feelcould'vehelpedmegetthroughhighschool.

YokoOnooncesaid,“Youchangetheworldbybeingyourself”.Thisquoteencapsulates theessenceofwhatI'mgoingtotryandtellyoubecauseitisso,so,SOimportantnottolose yourselfalongthewayofthistumultuousjourney.It'shardtokeepsightofwhoyouarewhile simultaneouslytryingtofigureyourselfout.Embracewhoyouare,unapologetically.Your authenticityisyourgreatestadvantage,anditwillguideyouthroughthehighsandlowsofhigh schoolandevenbeyondthat.Highschoolcanbeabattleground,attimesforauthenticity.It'sa timewhenthetemptationtoconformcanbeoverwhelming.Butrememberthatyoudon'thave tochangeforanyone.Staytruetoyourvalues,yourpassions,yourdreams.Thosewhotruly careaboutyouwillappreciateyouforwhoyouare,notwhoyoupretendtobe.Highschoolisa whirlwindofexperiences,emotions,anddrama.It'seasytogetcaughtupinthechaosofitall, tofeelthepressuretofitin,tochangewhoyouaretopleaseothers:butit'salsojustaseasyto riseaboveit.Youarebetterthanthat.Focusonbuildinggenuineconnectionswithpeoplewho upliftandsupportyou,ratherthangettingcaughtupinpettyconflictsandgossip.Youridentity, youruniqueness,iswhatmakesyouspecial.Protectyourpeaceandprotectyouridentity;Hold ontoitfiercely,evenwhentheworldaroundyouseemstobepullingyouindifferentdirections. IfeellikeI'vebeensomanydifferentversionsofmyselfinthesepastfouryears,butI've finallystartedtofindmytrueself,andyouwilldothattoo;yourtimewillcome,andthere'sno needtorushit.Enjoyhighschool!Beforeyouknowit,thetimewillcomewhenyou'reinthe samepositionasme,writingaletterlikethis,andthinking, Wow, has time really gone by that quickly? Timeflashesbeforeyoureyes,andhighschoolonlyhappensonce. So,dearhighschoolers,asyouexperiencethisjourney,remembertostaytruetoyourself, toriseabovethedrama,andtoembracethepersonyouarebecoming.Thereisnooneelse bettertobethanyou.Thenextfewyearswillbefilledwithchallengesandtriumphs,but throughitall,neverlosesightofwhoyouareandwhatyoustandfor.

Kindandwarmregards, ValerieGuzman:)

Daniel Heiman

DearCRIAStudent,

Recently,Mr.CrabtreeaskedmewhatIwouldtellmybrotherbeforeleavingforcollege.Sohereis whatIwouldsay:

Eventhoughmaybeitshouldn’tbe,atremendouspartofschool(highschoolandmiddleschool)is competition.Competingwithfriends,classmates,orjustaboutanyoneforbetterscores,placeson sportsteams,leadershippositions,socialpopularity,orevenachievementsandaccomplishments.It isimportanttoknowwhatyoushoulduseyourmentalandphysicalenergycompetingforandwhat youshouldn'twasteanytimeorthoughtstryingtoachieve.Itisalsoimportanttounderstandthat youcan’tbebetteratsomethingthansomeoneelseifyoudothesamethingasthem,yetyou shouldn’talwaystrytobethebest(andyoucertainlywon’tbe).Thatextranightathomestudying willgiveyouabettergrade,theextrasuicideafterpracticewillgetyouinbettershape,thetimeyou taketoworkonassignmentsoutsideofschoolwillhelpyoubecomebetteratmanagingyourtimeor stayingfocused.However,themoreyoutrytocompareyourgradeswithothers,thelessofa positiveimpacttheywillhaveonyou;themoreyoutrytoactsopeoplewillchangetheirperception ofyou,thefasteryouwillendupbecomingsomeoneyouarenot.WhatI'mtryingtosayis…Be different,butbeyourself.Workhard,butchooseyourbattles.Findyourbalanceanddon’tgiveup. Youallarewithinagraspofagreatopportunity,realizethat,findwhatitis,anddon’tfumbleit. Wishingyouallthebest,

DanielHeiman

Maya Ortiz

Dear CRIA High Schooler,

As you're nearing the end of highschool, I wanted to share some advice and thoughts with you.

Enjoy these last few years of your childhood,take advantage of these years, be a kid and enjoy not having to worry about adult responsibilities.

First off I want to tell you to take in every moment with your family, friends, and loved ones. These memories will last a lifetime, make the most of them. You only live once. Take risks and tell the people around you that you love them. These are the last years being surrounded by them, before you leave to start your own life.

Take any advice you can get, whether it's from your teachers or your classmates. They all have valuable things to offer, and you never know what you might learn from them. Embrace the nerves and the butterflies, the excitement that comes with new experiences. Be kind, caring, and understanding towards others, and don't be afraid to show your true self.

Make sure to enjoy the little things in life; soak up the sun; the beach; and the rain. Use your knowledge and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. Show what you know, being a nerd is not out! If there is one piece of advice you should take from me it’s to be eager to learn, make mistakes, embarrass yourself, be playful and funny, and remember to live.

Lastly, it’s okay to not have it all figured it out, that’s the fun of life! Even if you think you are prepared for what is next after CRIA, be open minded, you never know what life has in store for you. Life is full of surprises, so be ready for whatever opportunity comes your way and step out of your comfort zone.

As you prepare to take on the world, remember to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment along the way.

Once you leave CRIA is when life begins, when your life begins.

Best, Maya Ortiz:)

Zoe Ortiz

Dear CRIA High Schooler,

Congratulations, you are in that last stretch of your school experience!

I’m writing to you to give you some advice and guidance, and to encourage you on this last stretch (as someone who is just going through it), to remind you that this is a time you will look back at with a smile, and to remind you to enjoy this last year(s).

. No matter what grade you are starting this year, whether you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior, this letter is for you. Time will pass so quickly that you will close your eyes for one second, and the next thing you know, you will be wearing your blue gown as they call your name, shake your hand, and give you a diploma. I know it sounds cliche (you are most likely rolling your eyes at me right now) when everyone tells you, “Time will fly; it will be over before you know it…”. When adults would say that, all I wanted was for that to be true, to be out of school and start a new journey. Now, looking back at it, believe me when I tell you that it will pass quicker than expected, and next thing you know, you won’t want those last few months to pass by as quickly as they have. Try to enjoy every second of it before it is gone.

During these months, you will experience the strangest feelings of nostalgia and excitement combined. It will be a weird combination, something you have never felt before. You will be excited for new beginnings but super sad because you are leaving a part of your life behind you that you will never get back. But that is not a bad thing. A chapter has to end for you to be able to welcome another and believe me, you are going to love this new chapter! There will be many mixed emotions, happiness and excitement because you are finally done with school, but also sadness because saying goodbye to loved ones is never easy. Just remember that you are in control of keeping in touch with people. It is always nice to receive messages from someone you haven’t seen. You don’t have to text someone daily to let them know you are thinking of them; just do it periodically, now and then. Make sure to remember someone’s birthday and text them. Or if something reminds you of them, make sure to message them. That way, they will do the same with you. It is always good to keep people around; you never know when you will need that someone.

My dad always told me that the most important thing in this world to be successful is to have connections everywhere. The experience of living in Costa Rica has already opened so many doors for you. Not only are you in an international environment, but you will gain a lot of knowledge and experience that kids your age have no clue about. In international locations, people come and go non-stop, and it's the best but worst thing ever all at once. Moving and living in new places is like a poisonous pill, a good one though. What I mean by that is that once you start traveling, you will never want to stop. You will always seek out more new places, new adventures, new experiences, and new people….It is the best yet most complicated gift because you will always miss loved ones, but looking at it positively, you will always have someone somewhere. Your love is spread all over. For example, I moved around quite a bit and met the most amazing people ever, and even though I miss them, no matter where I go, I will always have someone to visit anywhere I go. It is a privilege.

One last piece of advice I have is to befriend your teachers. It is much easier to get through the school environment when you talk to your teachers and befriend them instead of going against them or thinking they are out to get you. Listen to them; they have many interesting stories, and their knowledge can help you read them and their classes, and it will affect your performance positively in their classes. Most times, you will be surprised how different your relationship will be when you listen to them. They have a lot of experience and knowledge that they would love to share with you. Always remember to be kind, not only to yourself but also to others. Make the school a place you want to be at. Pay attention to the little details, be open, and enjoy yourself, but don’t forget to be a kid, make lots of mistakes, and have fun! Life is not all that serious ;))

Bests, Zoe Ortiz

Emilia Price

DearCRIAstudent,

Asmytimeinhighschooliscomingtoanend,Iwouldliketotakeamomenttogiveyou somewordsandadviceIwould’velikedtohavebackwhenIstartedhighschool.

Iknowthatcomingtoschooleverymorningisoneofthemostresentfulthingstodoatthis momentbutrememberthatschooliswaymorethanjustdoing“useless”workthatwon’tbe neededlaterinlife.Duringthistime,schoolisaboutfriendships,learning,fun,andstressall atonce.Thiscanjointogetherandcontributetothebuildingblocksofyourlifejourney.

I’vebeenaCRIAstudentforaroundnineyearsandduringtheseyearsI’velearnedmany things,suchthingsas;

- Stayorganized-Thiswillreallyhelpyoumanageyourtimemoreefficiently.Ifyouare organizeditallowsyoutohavemoretimetodowhateveryouenjoydoing.

- Avoidstress-Thiscanbeoneoftheworstthingsyoucandoinhighschool.Manythink thatsucceedinginhighschoolistheonlykeytosuccessfortherestofyourlife.Thatis notnecessarilytrue,ifyoustaypositiveandkeepabalancedlifestylebetweenschool andfriendsyouwillsucceedinlife.

- Maintainasociallife-Friendshipsallowyoutohavesomeofthebestmemoriesthat you’llkeepinthebackofyourmindforever.

Highschoolisoneofthebeststagesofyourlife,itisnotthetimetofocusjustonschool work,youalsoneedtofocusonyourselfcare,friendships,andfamily.Thisisthelaststageof yourlifewhereyou'renotyetindependentbutcanstillmakedecisionsbasedonhowyouwant yourlifetobe.Justmakesurethedecisionsmadearesmartonesbecausemanythingscan becomehabitsonceyou'redonewithhighschool.Donotregretyourdecisionsthough,they arepartofyourjourneythroughlifeallyouhavetodoislearnandembracethem.

Lastly,donotwishthesedaysaway.Enjoyandembracethepresentbecauseinablinkofan eyethisstagewillcometoanendandyou’llhavetojumpontothenextone.Ihopeyoutake thesewordsofadviceintoconsiderationforyournearfuture.

Wishingyouallthebest, Emilia

Price

Brianna Rubin

Dear CRIA students and future seniors,

High school may seem tough a lot of the time, but my advice to you is to enjoy it as much as you can.

Everyone has their ups and downs, it isn’t just you.

Be kind, respectful, and supportive, not only to others but to yourself as well. Goodbye CRÍA.

Good luck!

Brianna Rubin

Sebastian Hidalgo

Dear CRIA student, I reet you. Hope ully, this letter serves as motivation or your next year or years at CRIA or anywhere else. It can be un, challen in , and maybe even excitin knowin that your final year is comin , or maybe you eel worried that you are not a kid anymore and it's time to make decisions. With new situations in your own hands, you have to start mana in your own money, and find ways to make money while studyin . That's a ear I've had since I started my senior year. Real li e be ins, but in the end, chase your dreams, trust in God, and he will lead you to success.

Best,

Sebastian Hidal o

Zachary Sell

Dear Upcoming Seniors

Be ambitious.

I know that 11th grade year may have been extremely difficult in terms of workload (at least in my experience), but I strongly encourage you guys to take on ambitious academic goals for next year. Pick APs, join the NHS, and strive for excellence. Do not make the same mistake that I made of selecting classes that were easy just because they were easy. Pick classes that you’re passionate about, classes that are personally and academically fulfilling.

With that being said, I wish you all the best, and good luck seniors. Stay strong and reach for the stars.

-Zachary Sell

Johanna Beeson

Dear incoming high schoolers,

High school as a whole is scary, but don’t think of it in its entirety.Take it one year at a time. Don’t think of having to survive all four years.Think of surviving just the one, and then the next year surviving that one, and so on and so on.Think of your goals for the year, and put your efforts towards those.You will eventually have to think of your bigger goals that you want to reach in regards to college or jobs or work, but if you break down those goals into smaller goals that you can build up, it will ease the stress from having to do everything in your last year.

Don’t let high school intimidate you. Use it to skyrocket you towards your future ambitions. It’s not the worst thing you’ll ever have to go through, so don’t let it swallow you whole.Take it slow and one year at a time. Eventually, you will end up where you want to be.

Bye CRIA, Johanna Beeson

Teo Gale

Dear CRIA Student, I hope everything you are doing is headed in the right direction, you are really fortunate to be a part of this awesome community. Being a part of such an uplifting and positive environment for the last 7 years of school has been such a blessing, I have learned so much and experienced so many new things. I've reached objectives that I never thought I was capable of and met so many new people along the way! This experience at CRIA has made me the person I am today! Cherish every single moment you have left in high school; time will fly by. Most importantly, make long term friendships!

Sincerely,

Teo G.

Megan Arnold

Dear Senior,

My advice to you is to try your best to not catch senioritis. Senioritis is a “disease” of laziness and lack of motivation that seems to afflict high school seniors in their final semester. It will be very hard to stay motivated especially after the college acceptances come rolling through, but you must persevere. I did not fully understand the gravity of Mr. Crabtree’s statement “this time will fly by”' until it did.

Use your final year to fully get to know your classmates and your teachers as you learn so much through simple conversations. I urge you to use every opportunity you have to speak publicly. CRIA provides many opportunities to do so, and it is such an important skill to practice and hone.

But above all, you must have fun. This is the last year that you will be seeing your classmates all together every day. Don't be afraid to try new things as you may find a new interest that guides your next chapter in life. You have worked so hard to get here so continue to do so while also focusing on enjoying yourself and creating memories. From, Megan

Arielle Balsky

Dear future graduate,

Your time at CRIA is coming to an end, or maybe it isn’t anytime soon, but at one point it will. Appreciate your friends and the time that you have here because you will one day grow to miss it, even those days that were really hot or the classes that were tough. Remember to appreciate your high school years because you can’t get them back.

When you’re trying to figure out your next step after high school, don’t compare yourself to others too much in the process. The most important thing is to pursue whatever you think will make you happy. If you decide to go to college, don’t worry if you don’t get into Harvard. There are amazing people and teachers wherever you will end up, and the title isn’t everything. Do your best and go to the school that will compliment your abilities.

Thanks for 3 good years CRIA,

byeeeee

Arielle

Sowie Batle

Dear Senior,

I hope you're doing great and feeling excited about this big year ahead of you. You've made it this far, and that's something to be proud of. Congrats! Your dedication and resilience have all brought you to this point, and these qualities will continue to help you in the future.

During your final year at CRIA, remember that your own success is not defined by academic achievement or simply getting straight A’s. It's also about growing as a person, meeting new people, and making a positive impact everywhere you go, especially school.

Some advice I'd like to share with you is the importance of balance. It is important to stay focused and committed to your studies, but never forget to take time for yourself. Continue to do the things you love that bring you happiness and relaxation.

Personally, I've had many challenging experiences during my time at CRIA. Many projects, tests, and a lot more. I've learned to always break everything down into smaller tasks and steps, which made my assignments more manageable and less stressful. importantly, always take your own time. Never forget that help is always around. Some days will feel exhausting but you will never be alone and will always have the best support at all times.

Soon, you will be saying goodbye to CRIA. But remember, every ending has a new beginning, and that's exactly what will happen once you graduate. You’ve got plenty of experiences that will help you in the next chapter of your life and always keep those loved ones around.

So, in closing this letter, I want to congratulate you once again! You will absolutely rock this year, and you have such a bright future ahead. I will miss you all. Goodbye CRIA, and hello to the amazing adventures ahead.

Best wishes,

Sowie Batle

Michael Castillo

Dear CRIA Student, 12th grade is an exciting adventure you will never forget because it's the last year before you start your adult life with more responsibilities. 12th grade can feel overwhelming at times, but never give up - you’ve got this.

This, your last year, try to enjoy it as much as you can inside and outside of school, but always take care of your obligations at school because your grades are really important. Be a student who likes to help other students, participate in school activities, and be respectful with everyone, including the teachers and staff.

I also wanted to say thanks to all the teachers, students, and staff for making these three years at CRIA some of the best experiences of my life. I will be forever grateful to all of them, not only for educating me but also because I found a family where everyone can be happy like me. It will be hard to say this, but goodbye, CRIA.

Thanks.

-Michael

Dear Senior,

Kai Cordero

This year may feel like it is going to be slow and hard, but it will not be. High school has gone by so fast for me, even though each year it felt like an eternity.Although classes may seem hard, they are not a difficult challenge as long as you stay on top of all your work and don’t get senioritis.As for friends, you should always keep a school/life balance and never exclude one from the other. It is also important to stay active and do some type of sport and keep hobbies that you enjoy. No matter what anyone says, you are you and only you can decide how to live your life.

Best of Luck, Kai Cordero

Alex Clark

Dear CRIA Student,

As I find myself in my final week of high school, I can’t help but reflect on the past 5 years of my life (Yes… 5 years, it’s been a long haul). Looking back on all the ups and downs, I am reminded of one thing in particular : how different my life is now than it was on my first day of high school back in September of 2019. Virtually every aspect of my life has changed since then.

I was never someone who was particularly scared of change, but I had little exposure to the subject, living in the same small town my whole life. Therefore, the familiar plan of attending my local high school and graduating with the people I had gone to school with my whole life had comfortably settled inside my head. Fast forward to my situation now, graduating a year late with new people in a whole new country … not what I expected, at all. That’s the thing with high school though, things rarely go the way you anticipate them to. Life has its own course and takes no suggestions, so as much as you might think you have the rest of your high school career planned out, I can assure you that your path will change. You will encounter unforeseen dead ends, steep hills, blind turns, and tight corners.

I don’t say any of this to scare you, but rather to encourage you! I challenge you to maintain an open mind in every unfamiliar circumstance. To accept new situations with an optimistic approach. To want to learn and experience new things. You will be forced out of your comfort zone over and over again, and adapting these habits will make that change easier, and potentially even exciting! Trust me, I am fully aware that open-mindedness and optimism are both easier said than done, but they are possible and extremely helpful when it comes to the tumultuous journey that is high school.

Change is a blessing. All the ever changing paths in the course of your life have the potential to lead to so many amazing things. How cool is that?! I know that sometimes you will have low moments that feel insurmountable, and I know the last thing you’ll want to do in these moments is to confront them. But this is how we grow. This is how you grow. This is how I grew into the person I am proud to be today. Keep your mind open, keep your mindset positive, and keep your head up. Things have a funny way of falling into place.

With Love, Alex Clark

Eva DeGarist

Dear new student from the United States,

Did you ever think you would be sitting in a school where you share a study hall with iguanas? Neither did I. How did we get here? Is your story similar to mine?

Beginning school in the United States years ago, I never imagined that I would not continue through the 12 years in the traditionalAmerican school setting.After my 10th grade year, that all changed. Without knowing one person at CRIA, I moved to Costa Rica and began high school here. Allow me to share some thoughts and help you learn what to expect so that you can take advantage of this opportunity regardless of how it came to pass.

I was lucky to have taken several years of Spanish before I moved here. However, the students are from all over the world, and the teachers speak English.There is no need to be nervous about the language.You are still able to speak it everyday.This will help you learn it at a much faster speed than in the United States.

New Friends: I did not know one person.The fact that the school is not huge, and the classes are small makes introductions easy. I feel like I made new friends quickly.

Be ready to be hot. I think I am accustomed now, but I had to get used to the heat in Costa Rica and the time you spend in it when you have free periods at the school. One perk is when you are a senior.You are able to leave the campus during your free time.This is great because you can go eat, get something to drink, or even study for a test you may have later in the day.Also, how often do you get the chance to hang out at a beach in between classes?

Leave in plenty of time in the mornings.Two miles may take you 20-25 minutes because of the roads. Or you may have to wait for cows to cross the road (not joking).

I love the size of my class. We all know each other. So many weekends we see each other. Also, CRIAis very near La Paz, and we are friends with many of those students also.

On top of all of this, I can personally tell you that CRIAwill do whatever it takes to help you along the way. If you face a bump in the road, there are teachers and friends who are there to help.

Coming from the United States and studying at this school, you will have an experience unlike anything that your friends have in the states. I will have stories about my time at CRIAthat I will share the rest of my life. For example, I will always remember the iguana that did everything he could to get into the trash can to find some lunch.Also, I had never attended a school that had to close for a day during “rainy season” because the school was flooding. I will always have a unique story to tell when someone asks me where I attended high school.Although you might not realize it now, our time in high school is short. It will be gone before you know it. Make the most of your time in high school. Instead of dreading it, try to look forward to it.

I now say goodbye to CRIA. I honestly cannot believe how fast the last two years have flown and that my time here is ending. I have learned to love Costa Rica. I have made such good friends, and there are several teachers who were always there for me. I will miss this place, my friends, and Costa Rica. Goodbye CRIA, and Pura Vida! Eva

Mattieu Demore

ToMyFellowCostaRicaInternationalAcademyStudents,

May 11th, 2024

Ihavebeenaskedtoofferyousomeguidancetohelpguideyoutowardsuccess. However,beforeIbegin,it’simportanttoacknowledgethatthereisn’tasingle, definitive path that you can take to reach “success”. Your journey might differ significantlyfrommine,sowhatconstitutessuccessforyou,mightnotmirrorwhat constitutessuccessforme.

I’d like to emphasize that the term “success” has become overly broad and subjective.Wemayleadentirelyseparatelives,makingdifferentchoices,facing distinct challenges and pursuing unique careers, yet still, both emerge as “successful”individuals.That’sbecausesuccessispolysemousandthisdiversityin definitionsisperfectlyok.

Frommylifelessons,I’vecometolearnthatitistheunexpectedeventsthatshape yourlifestory.Byremainingagileintermsofmindset,youcanpivotratherthanfall down. This will allow you to better steer yourself towards your goals and aspirations.

Sowhat’sthekeytakeaway?It’storemainadaptable,regardlessoftheenvironment inwhichyoufindyourself.Thisattitudeiscrucialinnavigatingtheunpredictable curveballslifemaythrowatyou,inadditiontoachievingyourownversionof success.

Andalwaysremember,Ifyoudon’tachieveyourgoal,re-defineit.

That’sthebeautyofsuccess–itcanevolveandtakeondifferentformsduring differentstagesofyourlife.

Justknowthatyouarenevertoolateandnevertooearly.Youareonthepathyou weremeanttobeon. Cometotermswiththat,andyouwillsucceed.

Andmostimportantly,alwaysbeproudofwhoyouareandwhoyou'vebecome.

Yourstruly, MatthieuDemore

Sienna Fischer

Dear CRIAhighschool student

May 11th, 2024

I know high school is hard to navigate coming out of middle school. Dynamics are different, and you're only a couple years away from growing up and moving away from home.

As someone who has experienced all of those feelings, here are a few pieces of my advice as a nearly graduated senior that I wish I knew walking into grade 9.

1. Stop caring about what everybody thinks. I know, as an adolescent, we were practically built to do this constantly, and it's way easier said than done, but I promise you, it literally doesn't matter at all what someone else's opinion of you is. Who cares? Honestly, why take seriously what other kids think of you, when they don't even know who they are yet themselves?As ‘’embarrassing’’as it seems, you're not going to regret doing what gets you made fun of.You're going to regret NOTdoing what you wanted to, in fear of the judgment of people you don't even like. Join the team, wear the outfit, put yourself out there, and stop caring so much.

2. Everyone is just as lost as you are. I know it seems like you don't know anything, and that everyone else is so much more ahead than you are. But trust me, people are good at acting like they have everything together. Everyone is in the same boat as you are; same phase of life, going through the same experiences and issues, and even people you barely know are going through a battle you know nothing about from looking at them. So stop comparing yourself to everyone, social media is fake, and you're not alone.

3. Be good to people. It’s easy to get caught up in the trash-talking culture of high school, but don't be one of those people who gossips about all their friends, treats people bad in order to maintain a status in front of others, or someone who cares only about themselves.You don't want to be remembered as a bully, or make anyone feel worse than they already do in such a difficult and transformative year of everybody's life.You will notice around you that this happens a lot, and probably already does in middle school. Don't get caught up in drama, or start fights for fun. It might seem like it is deserved in the moment, but you will look back and wish you were more mature.

4. Appreciate where you are: Alot of people wish away high school by wanting to be in a different stage of life where things aren't quite so hard, and you have more things figured out. While these things can be difficult and I understand where it comes from, this is the youngest you will ever be again in your life. It can be an awful, confusing time, but it's also the most formative years of your life.The ones you will look back on when you're 40, when you're 60, when you're 80. Enjoy being naive, inexperienced, enjoy the nerves.Yes, everything feels 10x more important than usual at this point in your life, but this is both a curse, and a blessing.

I hope you can take at least something from this paper, and that I can help or inspire at least one person throughout their journey in high school. Good luck, and don't worry.

Sienna

Kendall Arnold

Dear CRIA seniors,

I am four days away from graduating and I would like to share some advice with you from what I have learned this past year.

First, cherish every day. I know this sounds cheesy but it is true. This year is the year you will think about for the rest of your life. You will wish you could relive it, the memories with your friends in this amazing country. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience to be completing your senior year in this beautiful country. So, try to say “yes” to everything this year, and end this year with no regrets.

Second, try to not get “senioritis.” Trust me you are probably thinking that you have had a “sophomore slump” or “junioritis,” but senior year you will feel it harder than you have ever felt. You will become overloaded with stress about college, grades, exams and more. It will become very tempting to fall into that dark hole and to stop caring about everything, but you will regret it. Fight the urge as hard as possible. The key to this is to try to balance everything as best as you can. You need to start applying to college early if you can, as this will help you get it out of the way and you will know a lot sooner. This is something I wish I did, as the anticipation for hearing back from colleges is torture while my friends were already planning their next steps, and I was stuck waiting.

Lastly, spend as much time with your family as possible. It's easy to take them for granted and forget about them but they are the most important people in your life. As you grow older you notice that most people leave in your life but, your family will always be there. College will come faster than you expect and you will miss your family greatly.

Your senior year will be the quickest year yet but will be the one you will think about forever. Try to enjoy your freedom and youth as much as you can and cherish everything because it will on;y happen once.

Best, Kendall

Arnold

Untitled Cat byAlexa de Haan