Letter to My Younger Self: Mateo Portelli, UNLV ’25
Dear Younger Mateo,
As you sit in class, sketching out dreams of becoming a trial attorney, I can see the fire in your heart and the determination in your eyes. You’ve always had big dreams, Mateo, but let me tell you something—you’re going to go far beyond anything you’ve imagined. There’s so much ahead of you, more than you can now fathom, and I want to share some hard-earned lessons that I wish I’d known back then.
Let’s start with the most important thing: stay close to Christ Jesus. I know faith has been a struggle for you. It feels distant, sometimes irrelevant to the here and now, but trust me—your faith will become your anchor. Prioritize God above everything else. Don’t negotiate church time, and don’t compromise your prayer life. As hard as it is, prayer gets easier with practice, and it will transform your heart. Hold on tight to Him, because your journey will get tough, and He will carry you through.
Right now, you probably see volunteering and helping others as something you’ll do when you have time. But make the time, Mateo. There’s no better way to grow than by serving others. And start running every day—not just to stay in shape but to prepare for the Army. Yes, that’s right: the Army is in your future. It will demand a lot from you, and this habit will pay off in ways you can’t imagine.
You’ll go to college and join Phi Delta Theta, a Greek fraternity (and the oldest at UNLV at that), and that decision will change your life forever. You’ll find a brotherhood of high-achieving men who challenge and inspire you. Through The Bond (you’ll know what this means later), the values, and the history of citizen-servants who came before, you’ll grow into a service-driven professional. Your brothers will push you to be better—academically, socially, and spiritually—and you’ll rise to meet that challenge.
But before all that, you need to get your priorities straight: God first, then school, then family, then work, and finally extracurriculars. I know that’s the opposite of how you think things work right now, but trust me. When you align your life this way, you’ll not only become a better friend but also the warrior you’re meant to be. Oh, and one more thing: do your homework, and take the time to learn how to actually study. Don’t let your iron-clad pride get in the way of your success.
Hard work is exactly what it sounds like—hard. I know you’ve always been quick to speak and slow to listen, but practice the reverse. Speak less, listen more, and make reading a daily habit. This will serve you well, not just in the Army but in every aspect of life. And when it comes to leadership, remember this: it’s not about being the best—it’s about helping others succeed alongside you. You’ll become the fourth Iron Phi in your chapter’s history, continuing a legacy of perseverance and dedication. Help your brothers beat you to the finish line. That’s where real leadership lies.
Your parents and mentors will be your greatest allies—don’t forget that. Lean on them, but don’t hesitate to chase internships, scholarships, or opportunities that scare you a little. Overcommitting will burn you out, but undercommitting will leave you wondering what might have been. Find the balance, and don’t shy away from the hard stuff. That’s where growth happens.
If you could see the man you’re becoming, I pray that you’d be proud. I hope you’d marvel at the career you’ve built in the military, and you’d probably laugh at how much future-you wishes he’d studied Python earlier. But it’s okay; every step has its purpose. Through all of this, the most important lesson is simple: pray daily. Life gets hard, and it doesn’t slow down, but when you center your day on prayer, everything else falls into place.
And one last thing: be proud to be a UNLV Rebel. The journey you’re on is incredible, and every challenge you face will mold you into the man God has called you to be. Trust the process, and trust yourself. You’ve got this.
Yours in the Bond,
You, from the Future
