Lissette at Stanford

My name is Lissette Barretto, I am 15 years old, and I am currently a sophomore at Frederick Douglass Academy II and my greatest dream is to be the first person in my family to attend university and study engineering.
I am a first generation Ecuadorian­American, and as a result, my childhood was steeped in cultural richness as I grappled to navigate the two halves of my identity. My identity as the proud daughter of working­class immigrant parents is incredibly important to me because it’s such a fundamental part of who I am and what I stand for. My parents are my greatest role models and have instilled in me a tireless work ethic, humility, and an appreciation for all the opportunities life might offer me.
Another important factor in my life, has been my academics: it guides me through what I do everyday. The work ethic that I demonstrate in class expresses who I am, leading to all my academic achievements. I define myself best with my academic performance; it demonstrates the passion and determination I hold for my education.
Recently Stanford University offered me a place in their “Stanford Summer College” program for the summer of 2015. It was a challenging process because thousands of students from around the world apply yearly. But out of all of the applicants, I was selected for this opportunity. As a student in this program I would take classes in a wide array of subjects such as engineering, robotics and perhaps even computer programming with world­class professors all while living on Stanford Campus with my fellow classmates. However, I may have to pass on this amazing experience because the scholarship I was offered only covers half of the program costs. My parents have no means of paying their expected contribution of seven thousand dollars and are understandably crestfallen at the thought that I may have to miss out on this life­changing opportunity because of our financial circumstances. Thus, it is my hope that this letter may inspire you to help me make this particular dream come true. Any assistance you could provide would make a huge difference.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward hearing back from you and please let me know if there is any additional information I could provide.