Salina Journal
Several years ago, a Monster.com commercial that debuted during the Super Bowl likely elicited nervous -- and possibly wistful -- laughs in living rooms across America.
The commercial's theme was "Live your dreams" and featured children asked about their aspirations for the future. One answer: "Claw my way into middle management."
Graduation season is also advice season, with most of those invited to speak feeling compelled to pass on some wisdom to the younger generation -- but could wisdom go both ways? Could your younger self have some pointers for your older self?
We asked eight high school seniors from schools across Saline County -- each recognized by the state as a Governor's Scholar for being in the top 1 percent of their graduating classes -- what sort of message they'd send to themselves, either in the past or in the future.
Some chose to pass on something they've learned to their younger selves, some wanted to make sure their older selves didn't forget some things, and a few opted for both, saying some advice works for people of any age.
Allison Stuewe's advice was to herself just a few short years ago.
"Just before I was going into high school -- I'd tell myself to have more fun," said Stuewe, a senior at Salina Central High School whose high school years were filled with activities.
"To do all the things I've done, I've worked really hard," Stuewe said. "That's meant sacrificing some things -- like time with my friends and hanging out on weekends."
Doing fewer things was also Central senior Gavin Smith's advice to his younger self.
"I'd say to focus on a few things and do those few things really well," he said. "I got involved in too much and didn't do as well on some things as I could have."
Smith said he wishes he'd made more time for building and flying his radio-controlled aircraft -- not just for fun, since he plans to major in aerospace engineering. "And, I would have gotten my pilot's license already."
What would he have given up?
"Some of the random stuff I do for school, some of what I did with student council," he said. "It's been fulfilling, but it takes time, too."
More music and art
Frank Thompson, from Salina South High School, would have opened the time machine's throttle a little more, sending a message to himself in elementary school.
"I think I would advise myself to be more involved in music and art," said Thompson, who plans to major in math and physics in college. "I didn't start with that at an early age and if I had, I think I would have liked it. Everybody seems to like it, but I never got my foot in the door."
If it turned out he didn't like it after all? He'd "at least have given it a shot."
Little things at 40
South's Scott Mitchell went in the other direction, to the age of 40.
"Don't forget all the little things, and the great people you meet," he wanted his aged self to remember. "Value all the little things you too often take for granted.
"In the next 23 years, you don't know what will happen," he said. "There's things you aspire to, and they don't they don't always happen."
And, he added, he's worried that he'd be "all enveloped in the job I have by then, and need to remind myself to look on the bright side of life."
Cole Lilly, from Southeast of Saline, is also worried his older self might someday settle and need a booster shot of youthful idealism.
"I would say to set goals and don't let people stop you from reaching to those goals," he said. "I'm not sure if it's other people or yourself stopping you from making that next step."
Just a few months into the future is where Jessica Francis, from Sacred Heart High School, would want to pass advice.
Her message?
"To keep pushing yourself and keep your expectations high -- but not too high," she said. "My parents won't be there to push me, so I'll have to push myself."
Stetson Schmutz, from Ell-Saline High School, would send the same message to both his older and younger selves.
"Don't let anyone or anything stand in the way of your dreams. Slow down and enjoy life, and to invest in other people," were his tips.
All are lessons he's learned in recent years and wishes he'd learned sooner, he said
"I don't know that I'd forget any of those things, but I might put them on the back burner" as he gets older.
Hard work pays off
Also worried he might forget some lessons he's already learned was Kevin Urban, from Salina South.
"To work hard, because it pays off in the end -- it may not seem like it at the time, but it does," Urban said, adding he'd send that advice to the past and the future, especially to himself in college in the next year or so.
"I'm sure there will be times in college when other things come up, distractions," he said, that might divert him from his studies, and a reminder could come in handy.
Yeah, right, blah, blah,
But giving advice is easier than taking it. So, do these seniors think they'd follow their own advice?
"I hope so," said Mitchell, whose advice was to himself at 40. "Maybe I'd be completely changed by then -- I don't know."
Francis and Lilly also thought -- or at least hoped -- their older selves would listen to a message from the past.
Urban thought he probably would listen -- especially since the advice was coming from a trusted source.
"Everybody else tells you the same thing," he said. "But coming from yourself, you know it's important."
Smith was less certain, saying he probably would listen, while Schmutz thought it was at least worth a shot.
"Probably not," Schmutz said. "But I'd try anyway."
"Probably not," Stuewe laughed. "I'd probably do everything exactly the same."
n Reporter Michael Strand can be reached at 822-1418 or by e-mail at mstrand@salina.com.
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