Members of Cindy Cargas' 5th Grade Advisory pose in the Middle School in 2010.
The group recreates their fireplace photo seven years later.
Two of Mrs. Cargas' advisory members are now seniors.
One student's letter expresses hopes for her future self.
One of Mrs. Cargas' advisory members as a 5th Grader in 2010
Another student's letter includes silly bands, which were popular in 2010.

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Collegiate Teacher Sends Graduates Letters to Their Future Selves

6/5/2017

Early in May, Collegiate School senior Sydney Lenz was busy finishing up exams and thinking about her upcoming graduation. One day in the mail, she received a letter that featured vaguely familiar handwriting and doodles on the envelope. Turns out, the letter was one she had written to her future self as a 5th Grader, in teacher Cindy Cargas’ Advisory.

The letter began, “Dear Cargas 5th Grade Advisory/Class of 2017: Surprise! Did you forget about the enclosed letter that you wrote to yourself at the end of 5th Grade? I did not forget, so enjoy this glimpse of your former self in the year 2010!”

Mrs. Cargas, now a 6th Grade science teacher, had served as 5th Grade advisor to Sydney and her classmates seven years ago. As advisor, Mrs. Cargas made a point of having her students write letters to an older version of themselves. When they were ready to graduate, she would deliver the letters to them with one of her own. She began the practice when she taught in Pennsylvania.

“When you’re an advisor you really get to know the kids well,” Mrs. Cargas said. “It’s fun for the kids. I think they forget a lot about Middle School.”

Inside Sydney’s letter were silly bands (“Those were big back then.”) and a picture of herself at 10 years old. In her letter, she asked her future self questions such as “Are you still swimming? I hope you are.” Sydney is still swimming and will do so for Denison University next year.

“It really touched my heart that Mrs. Cargas would remember to do this,” she said. “It was so cool. My parents really enjoyed it, too.”

Elizabeth Howell remembers writing her letter and asking herself if she still played field hockey.

“The week before we wrote the letter, I played goalie for the first time,” she said. “And I still play goalie in field hockey. I think the past me would be so proud of the future me.”

Even though Elizabeth knew Mrs. Cargas planned to send the letters, with the frenetic finish of senior year, she forgot about it.

“But then Sydney texted me when she got her letter and asked if I had gotten mine,” she said. “It was interesting to see how much I’ve grown since then.”

Mrs. Cargas’ letter to her former advisees concludes with: “Congratulations to all of you on your upcoming graduation! I’m so proud of each of you. I hope you are as spunky and joyful as you were in 5th Grade! Wherever you choose to wander in this life, I wish you all the best and all the happiness in the world.”

She says she has heard from many of the students who were thrilled to receive the glimpse of their past selves.

“The girls have told me it was a great way to end their years at Collegiate,” Mrs. Cargas said.

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