Whatever you do, DO NOT follow in my foot steps. First off, they're not going to be any easy path. I stumbled often and even fell a few times. Make your own, and most importantly make it worth it.

Soak up your time in those halls at River Valley. It may suck, I mean it does, I know. But, it only comes once and it's quite the time.

Go to as much as you can. Every football game, dance, and get together. But if you don't, you'll live. I didn't even go to my senior prom and I'm still going to wake up in the morning. I just want you to utilize your time and exhaust all of your options. Have fun, you don't have to worry about "adult jail" yet.

Remember when I said, "don't be like me"? Yeah, seriously, don't. I procrastinated WAY too much. I barely made it to college because of my habitual procrastination. I procrastinated so much because I was scared of what came next. I was scared of college and everything that it took to get there and then what came after getting there. Don't be. I know that's easier said than done (everyone said it to me, trust me, I know). It'll all work out and be great. All you have to do is pay attention to due dates and deadlines and stay on top of everything. Mom will help and keep kicking you into gear anyway.

Don't get so focused on your diploma that you forget to take it all in. I was too worried about graduating with a good looking piece of paper to have a good time. It worked out well for me but I wish I would have spent a little more time at RV and less at OSUM.

YOU NEED TO SPEND SOME TIME AT OSUM/MTC THOUGH BECAUSE IT IS FREE. I would have started taking College Credit Plus classes in eighth grade if I could have. I got to Ashland as a "sophomore" and it was so worth it.

Most importantly, don't forget where you came from. Whether it's mom and dad or this town. We are so lucky to have the parents that we do. They do everything for us and their support alone is the only way I have made it this far. Like you said to me the other day, "some people just don't have nice lives like us." You're right, they don't, and we don't know how well we have it. So make sure that you are respecting and appreciating them every day. Also, you're never too good to go home to mom and dad and you're never going to be too good for this town. We've called it home for our whole lives. There's nothing wrong with having dreams bigger than here, or what Marion has to offer but don't forget your roots. This place is really undervalued.

Lastly, have fun and don't rush growing up too much. It's kinda hard actually.

You made it, sis. I love you.