Letters — From Their Old Selves
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Senior Bailey Swisher reacts to finding a $20 bill in the letter she sent herself as an 8th grader. Photo by Meadow Taylor-Marklin -
Seniors Kylie Trlicek, left, and Carley Ulrich, right, laugh as they read their letters Monday. Photo by Meadow Taylor-Marklin -
Seniors Kaylee Soto and Natalia Soto intently read the letters from their 8th grades selves Monday. Photo courtesy of Kim Newton
During graduation practice Monday, LHS seniors each received a letter that they had written to themselves in their eighth-grade technology class in 2019.
Kim Newton, their technology teacher, back then passed out the letters to the class of 2026.
“Over the years when I’ve seen these students around town, they have often asked me about their letters and looked forward to receiving them,” says Newton. “I have been looking forward to seeing them and giving them this look into who they were as 8th graders.”
Some students left more than the letter enclosed in the envelope, including stickers and small toys, and some even left cash for their future selves.
“My mom told me that it would be a good idea to do that, just as a little surprise,” senior Bailey Swisher said. “I think I was sad about losing $20, but opening it was completely worth it. I had completely forgotten that I did that.”
During one of the units of their technology class in middle school, the students were focusing on the future and learning to use technology to plan and budget. Newton says they wrote the letters to themselves as graduating seniors to complete the unit.
“Many of the letters discuss their hopes for the future, and it is exciting to see what has changed and what has stayed the same,” Newton said. “I was thrilled to congratulate them on finishing their high school years, and I wish them all the best as they start the next part of their journey.” The La Grange High School Class of 2026 will be graduating in Leopard Stadium at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, weather permitting.