Letter to My Younger Self: Mateo Portelli, UNLV â25
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. Youâve always had big dreams, Mateo, but let me tell you somethingâyouâre going to go far beyond anything youâve imagined. Thereâs so much ahead of you, more than you can now fathom, and I want to share some hard-earned lessons that I wish Iâd known back then.
Letâs 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 meâyour faith will become your anchor. Prioritize God above everything else. Donât negotiate church time, and donât 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 youâll do when you have time. But make the time, Mateo. Thereâs no better way to grow than by serving others. And start running every dayânot just to stay in shape but to prepare for the Army. Yes, thatâs right: the Army is in your future. It will demand a lot from you, and this habit will pay off in ways you canât imagine.
Youâll 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. Youâll find a brotherhood of high-achieving men who challenge and inspire you. Through The Bond (youâll know what this means later), the values, and the history of citizen-servants who came before, youâll grow into a service-driven professional. Your brothers will push you to be betterâacademically, socially, and spirituallyâand youâll 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 thatâs the opposite of how you think things work right now, but trust me. When you align your life this way, youâll not only become a better friend but also the warrior youâre meant to be. Oh, and one more thing: do your homework, and take the time to learn how to actually study. Donât let your iron-clad pride get in the way of your success.
Hard work is exactly what it sounds likeâhard. I know youâve 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: itâs not about being the bestâitâs about helping others succeed alongside you. Youâll become the fourth Iron Phi in your chapterâs history, continuing a legacy of perseverance and dedication. Help your brothers beat you to the finish line. Thatâs where real leadership lies.
Your parents and mentors will be your greatest alliesâdonât forget that. Lean on them, but donât 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 donât shy away from the hard stuff. Thatâs where growth happens.
If you could see the man youâre becoming, I pray that youâd be proud. I hope youâd marvel at the career youâve built in the military, and youâd probably laugh at how much future-you wishes heâd studied Python earlier. But itâs okay; every step has its purpose. Through all of this, the most important lesson is simple: pray daily. Life gets hard, and it doesnât 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 youâre 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. Youâve got this.
Yours in the Bond,
You, from the Future
