Jessica Flohr
Dear Class of 2023,
It seems like just yesterday that I walked through the front doors of the Latin School of Chicago for my first day of high school. I was new to Latin, and I was oh-so nervous. And of course when I went to my locker to put my brand new, color coded school supplies away, I couldn’t get it open. Literally, someone had to open my locker for me. But it wasn’t just a first day thing, someone had to open my locker for me for the ENTIRE first week of school because I had never used a combination lock before. So, congratulations to all of you who have figured out how to open your lockers on your first day, you are already off to a better start than I was. 
As a senior, thinking back to my freshman year, there are a lot of things that I wish I had known. Many of my fellow seniors feel the same way. So, here is the unsolicited advice that the Class of 2020 and I wish we had received as freshies:

• Try new things! Use high school as a time to explore the things that you might be interested in.
• Teachers want you to succeed! If you are confused about something or struggling or maybe just want help with a homework problem, don’t be afraid to set up a meeting with your teacher – they want to help you.
• Recycling is cool!!!!!!!!
• Don’t be afraid to go into Jessie (the athletic trainer)’s office if you get injured. The seniors who use that space as a lounge aren’t as scary as they might seem and Jessie is great – take it from someone who gets injured a lot!
• You don’t need to have your whole life figured out now.
• Mistakes are okay! They actually help you learn!
• This might seem cliche, but it is an important one. Be yourself – your classmates will love you for who you are. 
• Be an individual. If there is a club you are interested in, but your friends aren’t, join the club. If you want to take a class that no one else does, go for it!
• Go all out for spirit week – it is so much more fun when you do.
• Don’t leave all of your homework until Sunday!
• Stay away from coffee for as long as possible.
• Plan ahead! It will save you stress in the end!
• Try your best; freshman year is an important part of your high school experience.
• Appreciate your time with your friends because senior year will be here sooner than you know it.

The Class of 2020 hopes that some of the wisdom we have imparted here is of use to you and that you have a fantastic first year in high school. 
Sincerely,
Jessica Flohr and the Class of 2020