Wow. That’s it.
Time to graduate and start a new journey of adulthood. Start a new beginning. I didn’t know if I wanted to review my past writings or my overall high school experience, but I think it will be a mixture of both.
A note for my freshman self to read.
Time to graduate and start a new journey of adulthood. Start a new beginning. I didn’t know if I wanted to review my past writings or my overall high school experience, but I think it will be a mixture of both.
A note for my freshman self to read.
Hi Freshman Anu,
You are still small. Yes, and even as an 18 year old, people will still mistake you for your 15 year old frame, but it’s okay. At least you’ll look 20 when you're 30.
You learned more languages and grew to indulge in your Nigerian culture more. Not only are you responding back in your native language, Yoruba, you also are becoming fluent in Korean and French, and you want to add more as you dream to travel.
You finally find what makes you: You like— well, love–to write. So much. You are finished with your first book and almost done with part 2. You are actively working on completing your list of young adult and adult fiction ideas, and you have grown to have a collection of journals so your works won’t be lost.
You still love to read, but you moved on from Wattpad and grabbed ahold of paper books. Reading has been your source of comfort, and I’m happy you found that. You’re reading more books with black characters and educational sources that strengthen the raging activist in you.
You are an activist. Not one of the pretend ‘woke’ ones, but a young black girl who is knowledgeable enough to discern covert and overt racism, microaggressions, effects from colonization, and possible solutions to our race inequality issues. You’ve grown from civil rights knowledge to the knowledge of the Black Panthers, the behind the scenes works of our civil rights leaders, and the art of activism within the Harlem Renaissance. I’m thankful you were given the chance and were patient enough to learn and add to their work in the future. You’ve watched too many killings and experienced too many aggressions to stay still, and you won’t. You’re still growing, and I’m proud of you.
You are still small. Yes, and even as an 18 year old, people will still mistake you for your 15 year old frame, but it’s okay. At least you’ll look 20 when you're 30.
You learned more languages and grew to indulge in your Nigerian culture more. Not only are you responding back in your native language, Yoruba, you also are becoming fluent in Korean and French, and you want to add more as you dream to travel.
You finally find what makes you: You like— well, love–to write. So much. You are finished with your first book and almost done with part 2. You are actively working on completing your list of young adult and adult fiction ideas, and you have grown to have a collection of journals so your works won’t be lost.
You still love to read, but you moved on from Wattpad and grabbed ahold of paper books. Reading has been your source of comfort, and I’m happy you found that. You’re reading more books with black characters and educational sources that strengthen the raging activist in you.
You are an activist. Not one of the pretend ‘woke’ ones, but a young black girl who is knowledgeable enough to discern covert and overt racism, microaggressions, effects from colonization, and possible solutions to our race inequality issues. You’ve grown from civil rights knowledge to the knowledge of the Black Panthers, the behind the scenes works of our civil rights leaders, and the art of activism within the Harlem Renaissance. I’m thankful you were given the chance and were patient enough to learn and add to their work in the future. You’ve watched too many killings and experienced too many aggressions to stay still, and you won’t. You’re still growing, and I’m proud of you.
You still want to be a gynecologist, but more in a midlife way. You want to be the doctor that actually cares for your patients. You’ve grown to understand racism and medicine and also the lack of freedom women are having concerning their bodies with a possible law incoming regarding Roe vs Wade…spoiler alert.
Again, I will say: you’re obsessed with reading and writing. The box of journals is ridiculous.
The list of new genres of music has lightened your stressed heart, and the way you enjoy talking and criticizing plots and structures of movies since becoming an author is a special thing about you. Commenting and even “fixing” the depths in movies makes me proud of you. Us. You are really passionate about whatever you do, and it’s amazing.
You’ve written fewer articles as months got closer to graduation, but those you’ve written and those that were prohibited to be posted are great. You really challenged yourself and others. From friendly to opinionated to controversial to political to educational – they are great. You’re great. Don’t stop writing. You’ve found your passion. Don’t lose it.
You’ve met and befriended so many people that you would have avoided freshman year from fear. You literally cofounded the school's newspaper committee. Look at you.
Of course, you’re still learning. With the help of all your English teachers, Mr. Hazzard, Mr. Ejzak, Ms. Plunkett and Mrs. David, you are growing to be better with letting your message and meaning come across efficiently. With your music and government teacher, Mr. Harding and Mr. Mullooly, you are inspired with new ideas to write in college and beyond.
You wanna buy gifts for them all, but you also don’t have money, so you settle with this article. Yes, we still don’t have money.
Again, I will say: you’re obsessed with reading and writing. The box of journals is ridiculous.
The list of new genres of music has lightened your stressed heart, and the way you enjoy talking and criticizing plots and structures of movies since becoming an author is a special thing about you. Commenting and even “fixing” the depths in movies makes me proud of you. Us. You are really passionate about whatever you do, and it’s amazing.
You’ve written fewer articles as months got closer to graduation, but those you’ve written and those that were prohibited to be posted are great. You really challenged yourself and others. From friendly to opinionated to controversial to political to educational – they are great. You’re great. Don’t stop writing. You’ve found your passion. Don’t lose it.
You’ve met and befriended so many people that you would have avoided freshman year from fear. You literally cofounded the school's newspaper committee. Look at you.
Of course, you’re still learning. With the help of all your English teachers, Mr. Hazzard, Mr. Ejzak, Ms. Plunkett and Mrs. David, you are growing to be better with letting your message and meaning come across efficiently. With your music and government teacher, Mr. Harding and Mr. Mullooly, you are inspired with new ideas to write in college and beyond.
You wanna buy gifts for them all, but you also don’t have money, so you settle with this article. Yes, we still don’t have money.
You are a great kid, Anu. You may be a little different, but once you let go of the imposter feeling since entering a selective high school, you unlocked your true potential. It’s captivating, and it’s your own. You’re lovely, kind, creative, loyal, and patient. You’re gorgeous, too.
You started your first published article with passion and thrill, and I want you to know that energy has not died but transferred to something bigger.
You started your first published article with passion and thrill, and I want you to know that energy has not died but transferred to something bigger.
Do you know yet? No, not now but lol we’ll see what our raging heart will become.
From an older you,
Senior Anu
From an older you,
Senior Anu
ANU ATOMORI
