Dear All Who Are Graduating,

The first words that you might hear are you did it. But it isn't just that you graduated it's about all of your studying and hard work of your sacrifice and your challenges and now you get to go out into the world and help fix it. To those who I haven't met I'm sorry that I never met you because you would have probably influenced my life in a great way. And to those I have met thank you for your influences. To go down the list Amelia Balinski you have been my mentor for these last few years and I thank you for starting me on the path to success as well as being my friend. Kristina Henning thank you for opening my eyes to discovering who I am in terms of sexual orientation. I still don't 100% know who I am but you have got me on the path of trying to figure it out. All in band thank you for welcoming me into band in Hudsonville the band is relatively divided but here at Siena Heights it is strong so thank you. To Dalton Elza it's not like any of the words that I say now are going to be worth anything so here I go. Dalton I did and sometimes still do have a crush on you. You were one of the two that I was debating about. I'm sorry that I chose my ex-boyfriend over you. I see now that we have a lot in common. I also knew that you were disappointed when I had a boyfriend but hey now you have a girlfriend that you love a lot. I'm sorry that we never had a chance to date. You are an amazing actor and I'm sorry that you didn't get the part of Romeo because I remember with how much passion you auditioned for it and from this passion I wanted to be your Juliet. But I know that you will not leave her. Matthew Porter thank you for showing me the joy of theatre. Becca Nowak thank you for being the first to cast me. You are an amazing singer and a great director you will do amazing things. Josh thank you for being my brother. All that is left is...

Nate Adams.

Nate I could literally do an open letter just to you because I have that much to say but I'm trying to condense it here for you.

Dear Nate,

I have so much to say to you some of it will be happy and some of it not so much but please let me finish my letter to you. Nate you are one of the most complicated, talented, and funniest people that I have ever met and yes I will explain why you are all of those things. Nate you are hard to read and are sometimes so distant and sometimes so sensitive that it's hard to figure out who you are. You are talented because no matter what you do you are going to be exceptionally skilled in it. And you are a comedian so you are funny. The first time I met you was in the cafeteria you were eating cereal from a yellow bowl and were sitting very close to the table that I was sitting at. I came over because I just had to tell you that you were amazing in Other Desert Cities. We soon got to talking and I told you that I was a theatre minor. And you went with that. Some time passed and you told me about One Acts. More time passes and we are in the same class. I remember on the first day that you wanted to be in a warmer place in winter and I was like I want to be in a colder place. I love snow. Some time passes and you inspire me to go to Romeo and Juliet auditions. Time passes and it is the end of the semester you are no longer with Emily and you decide to read a poem about OCD. I don't know if you know this but I do have OCD. I was diagnosed in like third grade. Some time passes and it's our turn to read the play and perform it in class. I was scared to act with you especially when you would have been the romantic interest of my character. I say that I was inspired by my then boyfriend and you are instantly sad. I finally catch you to tell you that you did a great job and you instantly brighten up. Well then it's summer. During the summer I had dreams about you and had feelings that you would make a great boyfriend for me. Summer finishes and well we talk some more. I audition with you. I joined The Art Of and you were sad when I decided not to continue. And we get cast together in the same play. The play finishes and then it's Valentine's day. Well at least the day before. You try to ask me out with a song that by the way isn't too much of a country song. And well you didn't have the best timing I mean day before Valentine's Day much. You decide to try again after She Loves Me and I ran from you. And I'm sorry that I ran but it was worth it. So time goes on and it's Great Expectations. Did you realize that you were looking at me during the table read when you were talking about how Estella is the one for you. Then it's after your performance and you and Dani are talking when you finally find me. Now it's closer to the end of your Senior year and I'm avoiding you because I want you to not feel anchored here when I only want you to chase your dreams. Also in this you said that maybe I should try something else in theatre. I will not I love acting too much. But also if you know this or not I guess these words will not mean much to you since I know that you are dating Dani and don't really care about me. It's not like it matters though soon you won't be here. But Nate if I don't say this now I will never say this: Nate thank you for my minor and well you mean a lot to me. It's hard saying good bye to you. But Good Bye Nate.

I'm sorry I just needed to get all of that out of the way. Where was I oh yes. Congratulations Graduates! I'll miss you but you will change the world and make it better. I know it.

Sincerely,

Allyssa Wetzel