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I am surrounded by eleven, 15 year-old, young girls. They are all fast asleep. It is only 6 AM and the camp bugle will not sound for another hour. I am happy to get to work as a counselor at a summer camp on the beautiful, Long Lake in New Auburn, Wisconsin. Last night the campers and I stayed up late talking about how their first year of high school went and how they are all excited to become sophomores in high school. They had me belly laughing at their stories. Their innocence moves and inspires me. And so, this article goes out to all beautiful women and girls, but in a special way to the beautiful girls of “Mason Cabin”:
“Welcome my lovely ladies! Let’s start with the favorite topic of most every 15-year-old girl…BOYS! I’m going to tell you right now that when I was a sophomore in high school, a boy was entirely my everything. I honestly came to believe that he was the source of my happiness. That was great…while it lasted…but it didn’t last! Please, my sweet girls, keep in mind that each of you is your own brilliant, beautiful, and incredible, “you.” While it is nice to have a boy compliment you, you DO NOT need someone else to complete, “you.” My dad always tells me that the high school and college years are among the few years in your life when it is OK to be selfish. It took me 19 years to figure out that he was right! Hooray. I can make myself the center of my life–and that’s OK. Ladies, you and I are in the midst of such fun ages! We can be and become anyone we want to be or become…the future is ours! Keep in mind that you choose who you are. And so, if you decide to spend time hanging around someone else– make sure that person doesn’t take the brilliant, beautiful, and incredible, “you” away from “you.”
Now, let me say it one more time for the people in the back…YOU GET TO BE WHOEVER YOU WANT TO BE! This last year was really hard for me. The transition from high school to being a pre-med student at an extremely competitive, academic university was rough. I hit some bumps. I thought I was pretty smart and a good student. I found myself surrounded by people who were pretty brilliant and great students. It seemed to me like school came easy for some of them. Meanwhile, I found myself to be someone who has to study, study and struggle in order to succeed. Sadly, I lost a lot of confidence in myself. When I got a “C,” I contemplated changing majors. But then, I paused. And I had a good talk with my mom (Thank God for moms, am I right?!?). My mom redirected my thinking. She asked me, “Who do you want to be?” And I knew the answer… For right now, I want to be the young lady who recaptures her confidence. I want to study, study and struggle and keep studying. Right now, I want to keep studying the sciences. This is no time to quit being me.
You young ladies are 15. You are at an age when the world may approach and attempt to shape you. During this time, keep the people you value close to you. They will help, encourage and inspire you. You are all beautiful and bright and in charge of your own lives.
The camp bugle sounds. Eleven 15 year-old ladies open their weary eyes. Time to get up ladies. These crazy lives we own are just starting to get really good.
