So one of my favorite teachers from high school is retiring soon so she's asking some of her graduates to write letters to her current class giving advice and some reflection about life after high school. Here's what I wrote:
Dear Class of 2010,
My name is Chelsey Spaulding, class of 2000. I was fortunate enough to be sitting right where you are, in AVC with Mrs. McDowell, 10 years ago (although I can’t believe it’s been 10 years, feels like yesterday!). At that point my main objective was to get on full time at State Farm or Country Companies; which was a fine plan but nothing went as expected, thankfully. I worked at State Farm through the work program but when graduation came they didn’t need my position filled full time, so I worked some odd jobs before landing at Country Companies. About 9 months later there was a big lay off. This was just the beginning of a wonderful turn of events. I realized I didn’t have many choices unless I went to college. At that time my thoughts were, “what’s the quickest degree program I can get?” So I looked at many of the 2-year programs out there- dental hygiene, x-ray tech, physical therapy assistant, and landed myself in the occupational therapy assistant program at ICC.
My first semester at ICC we did a project on alternative therapies. I did some research and chose to write about dolphin assisted therapy. I also saw this place in Florida that took interns for their dolphin program, so I applied on a whim. Imagine my surprise when I was accepted to go to Key Largo, Florida for 8 weeks the following summer, to live and work with dolphins! Of course it was an amazing summer all on its’ own to be around the dolphins but the bigger thing I got out of that experience was the people I met and the realization that I could do anything. I got to work with therapists and patients from all over the world, people who have traveled everywhere, tried things you wouldn’t imagine, shared tons of knowledge, and just opened my eyes to so many possibilities. When I came home from Key Largo that summer I was a totally different person with a totally new “plan.”
I realized I loved traveling and all that came with it so when I graduated I started working for a travel therapy company. Basically, I could tell them where I wanted to work and they find me a job there. This lead me to 2 years in Southern California and then to Arizona where I currently live and work as occupational therapy assistant. I work in the schools with kids who have disabilities. We work on many things like handwriting, cutting, coloring, tying shoes, buttoning, snapping; basically all the skills needed for the job of being a kid.
Obviously with moving it is nice to see the sights and get to know new places, but again, for me it comes back to 3 things: the people you meet along the way, learning to love & find the best in whatever “plan” unfolds in front of you, and challenging yourself all the time. Each person I’ve met and place I’ve been as lead me in so many wonderful directions; from that first scary move across the country, to raising thousands of dollars and completing marathons to help beat leukemia & lymphoma, to working with orphans in South Africa, to mentoring foster kids in Phoenix, to coaching Special Olympic athletes. With each new task I try I realize how much more I can do.
Ten years ago you couldn’t have told me I would have done any of these things. I wouldn’t have believed you, which is great because life has turned out to be a wonderful surprise. But I think it’s a combination of many things; working hard, appreciating the people you meet and taking whatever you can from that experience, being open to change and seeing the positive in whatever is thrown your way, using the opportunities that present themselves, giving back what you’ve been given, and of course being thankful.
I hope my short time since I was sitting in your seat has made you think a little about the possibilities for your life. It’s such a cliché but couldn’t be truer, dream big! You might surprise yourself.
Sincerely,
Chelsey Spaulding, Class of 2000
