Dear class of 2013,

Can you believe that we are finally seniors? I still can remember the first day of freshman year so clearly, and now we are embarking on our final year here at Fossil. The class of 2013 is a special class. We were the first ever freshman to walk through this school. We are a class full of amazing leaders, from Student Council, to National Honor Society, to Student Ambassadors and Key Club, our class has always known how to lead our school and help our community. We also have incredible athletes that have lead our school’s teams even as underclassmen. And finally, the class of 2013 has spirit. We have always had the largest attendance at sporting events, and, of course, cheer the loudest. I truly believe that we can leave the largest legacy this school has ever seen, but in case you don’t know how to approach your senior year I have some advice:

1. Ask for teacher recommendation letters now. Teachers are going to get busy fast and you want your favorite teacher to write a good recommendation letter for you. If you ask now, they will have plenty of time to construct a great letter for you before you miss any deadlines.
2. Keep your grades up. Yes it is your senior year, and yes you should be having fun, but every single one of the colleges I have been to have said that senior year grades are important. Colleges will look at your grades from this year, so don’t think you can slack off.
3. Participate. This is advice you have been hearing your whole life, but it still is important for a senior. I believe to get the full senior year experience you need to go to the dances and the sporting events and enjoy clubs. These are times that are never going to happen again and you might as well make the most of your time.
4. Don’t do anything stupid. There has always been students who get in trouble right before graduation and aren’t allowed to walk. Don’t be one of those students. Your parents have been looking forward to seeing your walk across the stage in your graduation robes for their whole lives and you don’t want to disappoint them. Graduation is a memory you will want to have for the rest of your life, so don’t do anything that might jeopardize your chance at walking.
5. Hang out with old friends, but still be willing to make more. Just because this is your senior year, doesn’t mean you can’t make new friends. New friends might make your senior year enjoyable and different from years past.
6. Be a role model for the rest of the school. I still look up to the people who were seniors when I was a freshman, and I hope that the freshman will look up to our class. We don’t have to be jerks because we are the oldest in the school; instead we should use the opportunity to be a good influence on the students who are younger than us.
7. Hang out with family. Whether you are thinking about staying in-state or out of state for college, you are going to miss your family. You are going to miss the meals that you don’t have to pay for and the laundry that your mom does for you. Family is really special and you should take advantage of all the time you have left with them.
8. Avoid drama. You don’t want your senior year full of stress and tears. Try to pick positive influences and use your judgment to avoid uncomfortable and dramatic situations.
9. Don’t worry about what others think about you. This is your last year, so be crazy, weird, and adventurous. Don’t let the fear of what others think of you keep you from having the time of your life.
10. Understand that you still have a lot of time left. Your senior year should be about planning for the future and making memories, but don’t get too stressed about what happens after high school. You will have to make big decisions, but you don’t have to plan your whole life your senior year. You have time to enjoy the ride.

I hope this year school year is unforgettable and safe year for all of the seniors. I’m excited to be a part of this class and to watch as everyone starts figuring out their lives. I believe this will be a great year and we all can leave and impact on this school.