Dearest 9th Grade English Teacher,

Last night, I thought about my life. I was staring at my ceiling, idly toying with the pages of a book beside me. I thought about college, and the clothes I wear, and how short my hair is now, and then I thought about you. I remembered your English class, and how I was still in my awkward stage but you didn't make fun of me for it. I recalled the memory of playing To Kill a Mockingbird Jeopardy, and how I was the only one in the class who knew the correct answer to the final Jeopardy question. I remembered the pride I felt, the exhilaration that can only really come from a classroom game. It felt absolutely amazing.

That day, I went home and told my family about it, because I was way too proud of myself, and my mother asked me if I would consider studying English in college. Now, the concept of college was foreign to me then. It seemed like a distant, looming place that I wouldn't have to think of for a while. Yet, I found myself pondering the question. I had no idea what I could do with an English degree (and honestly, I still don't) but then I realized that English might just be for me.

That day, I realized that I would absolutely be an English major. Today, I have held true to that dream. I am studying English and Theatre at Muhlenberg College. I have never forgotten what you taught me. The tough love you had to give me, and the brutal assignments I had to trudge through. You gave me a passion for English that has only grown through my life. So, I must thank you. I never told you this before, but you gave me the spark that has molded so much of my personality. My confidence has grown from my ability to analyze and understand literature, and that is because you taught me so well. I hope you know how much you have done for me.

-Kristen