Family and friends: I have been given an amazing opportunity to be a Fellow with Leadership Houston.  A few weeks ago I found out that I was accepted into the program, but when I learned of the cost associated with it, $4,250, my initial thought was to pass this opportunity up.  I'm in the middle of finishing graduate school and so I don't have enough funds to pay for this program as well.  Upon reflection, I realized that I have always let the lack of money be the reason why pass up great opportunities.  As an educator, I ALWAYS told my students that money should not be the reason why they don't participate in life changing opportunities and I always helped them figure out ways to fundraise.  So I'm taking my own advice  and I am not going to let lack of funds be the reason why I pass up on this amazing opportunity to participate in Leadership Houston this coming year.  Participating in this program means that I will be pushed outside of my comfort zone.  I will meet professionals passionate about impacting change in our city.  I will learn about the issues that our great city faces.  I will have the opportunity to participate in critical conversations and learn and grow as a professional.  With the money that I have saved so far and the partial scholarship that I have recieved, I still need to raise $3,000 in the next few weeks, so that I can participate in the program.  Please consider donating so that I can participate in this great opportunity- any amount will help.  For those of you interested in learning more about the program, here is the link to their website: http://www.leadershiphouston.org/