When Anthony was a senior, he wrote this letter to his friend Chloe, a freshman. The idea to write a letter came from Chloe’s English teacher, who invited upperclassman to write personal letters to freshman. The teacher would hold those letters and deliver them when the freshman had reached the final days of their senior year.

In May of 2015, Chloe received her letter. The words on the page are quintessentially Anthony; full of optimism and encouragement. Anthony wanted the best for his friends. He reveled in the successes of those he loved and did his best to encourage those around him to reach for their full potential, even after he was gone.

Dear Chloe,

Now you are a senior. You have your cap and gown. Hopefully by now, you have decided what you are going to do. Whatever course of action you take, you have to go for it 100%. If you don’t there is no chance for success.

However.

You may not have decided yet. That’s alright too. Most seniors have no clue what they want to do when they graduate. But get on the ball, dawg.

Chloe, you are basically my little sister. And, as a freshman you were hella cool. By now you’re grown up, and now you’ve got to take life by the balls and show it who’s boss. Nothing is impossible. Impossible is a word use by the weak to justify giving up. Never give up.

Chlo- Chlo. Life is what you make of it. The question is not who will let you, but rather who will stop you.

-Your big brother forever,

Anthony Branca