Students reflect after receiving letters they wrote to themselves eight years ago

Graduating Grade 8 students read the letters they penned to themselves in Grade 1. CTV’s Lauren Stallone with the story.

After years of waiting, Grade 8 students from Stoney Creek Public School in London, Ont. finally got to hear from someone extra special, their past selves.

“I thought, ‘Why not have them right now write a letter to themselves,’” said Chris Aris, a teacher at Stoney Creek. “Eight years go by and here we are today with them getting their letters back.”

Aris said he hoped the letters would give students an opportunity to see how much they’ve grown.

“It gives me goosebumps hearing them talk and share stories of little things they did or their memories from the past,” he said. “They were such nice people back then and they still are.”

Grade 8 students Noran Kenani and Leanne Alghouti said they were grateful Aris held on to their letters for so many years.

“I think it’s a pretty great opportunity,” said Kenani.

“It’s kind of crazy because I never actually thought I’d get this back so it’s kind of cool,” said Alghouti.

Eager to see what was inside, students spent Monday afternoon catching up with their younger selves and reminiscing about the past.

“I wanted to be better at English,” said Kenani “When I was in Grade one I was new to Canada and I didn’t know English much.”

Some were relieved to know not much has changed.

“I still like some of these movies,” said Grade 8 student Adam Hasai. “Shrek and The Grinch.”

For other students like Eli LeBron Smith, some questions have yet to be answered.

“I said I was going to have six girls in high school,” said Smith.

As for their future, some students have their minds made up.

“I’ll probably go to the military and serve my country for a couple years,” said Evan Khudur, a Grade 8 student. “Then I’ll retire.”

Others made their financial advisors proud.

“I want a career that I enjoy,” said Kenani. “But one that I can get money with.”

“I’ll be an electrician or something,” said Smith. “They make pretty good money.”

“Something that gives me a lot of money,” said Alghouti.