Hi, my name is Jessica and I'm fundraising for my little sister Elyssa (Leelee) Smith.

The Breakdown

Last year, on Aug. 7th, 2020, we suddenly lost our dad in a random work-related accident. It was my then 17-year-old sister who called my brother and me from the scene and instructed us to get to the site as fast as we could.

When I arrived 15 minutes later, I saw her already on the phone contacting more family members as the EMT erected a caution tape perimeter around our dad's worksite. When she broke the medical examiner's news to me, she held me upright when my legs began to give out. She was the youngest, but she was taking care of everyone else. That's the kind of person she is.

In the weeks following the accident, she showed immense maturity and strength, as she faced the start of her senior year of high school without her dad.

During the pandemic when many students opted to drop out, or sleep through their online classes, my sister was getting her high school diploma while putting herself through an early college program.

She researched and applied to colleges on her own, found her own place off of campus, and found a job to support herself. She transferred her credits and saved herself over a year's worth of tuition costs.

She graduated high school despite the unbelievably difficult hurdles in front of her, not only showcasing her remarkable ability, but her impressive commitment to her education.

Due to logistics, we were not able to give her the graduation party her hard work deserves. So, in lieu of a party, I wanted to create this fundraiser so that friends, family, and anyone else who wants to donate to her education can.

Today is also her birthday. Our dad's would have been tomorrow.

The gift of your support means the world to us. If you can, please help us give this incredible young woman the send-off she's earned.