Seventh Grade Letters!
By Emily McCaslin
Last week at Owasso High School, senior students got a fun surprise to pick up in the main office. Brought all the way from 2016, seniors got the opportunity to read their letters they wrote to their 18 year old self from seventh grade.
Stacy Fry and Kelli Ball, originally from the Owasso Seventh Grade Center, started this unique project around 1997. Ball had a previous teacher who made her write a similar letter that would later be mailed back to her. She shared the idea with her friend, Stacy Fry, and the tradition was started.
“When she told me about it, I loved the idea!! Who wouldn't like a time capsule!?” says Fry.
Over the years, these two teachers recruited the other math teachers at the Seventh Grade Center and now they are all in on it.
“I wanted them to be able to see later if they had reached their goals or things they thought they would do,” says Ball. “It is a fun way for them to reflect on their past as they are about to embark on their next chapter.”
Students get the opportunity to be creative with their letter, including many different aspects of their lives.
Photo taken by: Emily McCaslin
“The letters are for pure fun! We encourage the kids to write down all kinds of things about their ‘Seventh grade self’...friends, teachers, likes/dislikes, cute boys/girls, what are their hopes and plans for the future, etc. We talk about how much they will change throughout high school, so it will be really fun to see how silly they were as a seventh grader!” comments Fry.
As the letters can be fun to look at, they also have shared a deeper importance.
“I have sadly had to give letters to parents whose children had passed away. That was heartbreaking but at the same time I was glad those parents had the letters and could see their handwriting one more time.” empathizes Ball.
Students get to look back at themselves as a 12 or 13 year old. Mckenna Lynn, a senior at Owasso, had an interesting letter to look back on this year.
After explaining what that year had entailed and including what bands she liked at the time, seventh grade Lynn comments “keep breaking stereotypes”.
“This was very important to me because I feel like I really stick to this idea for the duration of my highschool career.” explains Lynn.
As we continue on our journey, Mrs.Fry and Mrs.Ball wanted to leave us with some last advice:
Mrs. Fry: “I wish this year's seniors nothing but the best!! Enjoy every struggle and every success..they will only make you stronger and more grateful! And to my former Frytopians....Once a Frytopian, always a Frytopian!!! Come back and visit!”
Message written by Stacy Fry on a seniors letter
Mrs. Ball: “Congratulations! You all have had a high school career with Covid and obstacles and have had to adapt, change, and persevere like no other group! Good luck in this next chapter! Set high goals and strive to meet them! Love all people! Remember to stay true to who you are-your values-your standards! You were designed for an individual purpose--it will be fun to see what you all do over the next few years! You are loved!”