My name is Celina, I’m a senior at Elk River High School and I’m $999.00 in school debt. This debt is from Deca trips, a wildlife biology class field trip, and my track and field sports fees. With these fees I am not able to participate in my graduation ceremony or attend my senior prom. At the beginning of the school year my family and I thought it would be fine for me to participate in these classes because we were doing okay financially but our circumstances quickly changed.

My family lost my childhood home because my parents were not able to afford to pay rent any more. My dad had a stroke and broke his foot causing him to not be able to work for 3 months. My mom was also unable to work since she was caring for my niece so my sister could work support her family. I was working and doing my best to help with bills and pay for groceries, but I was forced to leave my position when we lost our home and I had to move in with my sister in Princeton and reliable consistent transportation was unavailable. After a few months commuting to Elk River from Princeton for school became too difficult to manage so a friend and their family was gracious enough to let me live with them for the remainder of the school year.

I’m passionate about these classes and activities and they are providing a strong foundation for what I want to pursue in college and my future career, but at this time these fees are creating a financial barrier I cannot overcome and may prevent me from achieving my goals. My dad has recently been able to return to work but is still struggling financially because he is paying off the rest of our old townhome that he was unable to pay in time as well as fixing up our only vehicle on his own. My mom is still unemployed and caring for my niece to support sister and her family, and we are all still unable to live together.

If you are able to donate or spread the word I would greatly appreciated it. A donation of any size would mean the world to me. Thank you for your time and consideration.