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JUNE 11, 2024—It’s common to think about what advice you’d give your younger self. But take a second and think about what advice you’d give your future self.

This scenario was at the heart of an Intermediate School project eight years in the making.

In 2016, team teachers Mrs.Linder, Ms.Gubiotti, and Mrs.Kinsman had their fourth graders create posters for the seniors at the time. 

Each student-made poster included either drawings or pieces of advice for the seniors. Some posters included messages like “Take chances and make mistakes” to “get a good degree and get rich,” or “shoot for the stars,” among other lines.

“Each of us tries to make a connection with the seniors before they leave in some way,” Linder said.

The teaching group took those posters to the High School and taped them on the walls for the seniors to see. The fourth graders assumed they would never see the posters again, but their teachers had something else in mind.

Linder and Gubiotti said just before the team displayed the posters, somebody gave them an idea: Make copies and hold on to them. The last step would be to surprise the fourth graders with their copies when it was time for them to graduate.

This brings us to 2024, and that class is now graduating. 

Much like they did in 2016, Linder, Gubiotti, and Kinsman (who is now retired) returned to the high school to display the posters. 

They taped the posters outside of the glass at the Lower Cafeteria. When the bell rang for the first lunch period, the surprise was on.

PHOTO GALLERY: SENIOR ADVICE SURPRISE REVEAL

One by one a senior would walk by the display, only to be welcomed with a hug and a laugh from their old teachers. A large handwritten note on the wall explained why they were there and what the students were looking at.

Then it set in.

“I can’t believe I wrote that,” said senior Myles Campbell. 

Fourth grade Myles wrote:

"When you go away to college, there may be a lot of work. My advice is to do your best, don't get stressed out, and take breaks when you need to. Go get 'em champ!”

Another senior, Graci Bransford, was amazed at her handwriting skills as she wrote in part:

“If you don’t like the food there, bring food from home. If you’re having trouble getting money, I suggest you work harder.”

She added that she believes it was all good advice that she’ll take with her to college.

As for the teachers, Linder says the team no longer teaches together, but it was nice to come back and connect with their former students one last time.

“It was fulfilling to see them read the advice that they gave themselves,” Linder said. “Especially when some of them were laughing at the advice they gave way back then.”

Gubiotti added her favorite part was seeing the reactions of the students.

[It was nice to see] how excited they still are about their futures and what they’re doing now through high school as they were in fourth grade,” Gubiotti said.

The posters remain on display outside of the cafe.