Hello, my name is Gloria. I am 16 years old and I am a Sophomore in High School, soon to be Junior. I am raising money to attend a school trip to Europe next summer!

I am a member of my school's Teen Engineering Technology Program, Read to Dream program; where I read to elementary school kids, and I participate in a food resource event called, Brighter Bites, I am also the 10th grade student representative.

I kindly ask for any financial contributions that can be spared for my school trip. I live in a single parent household. My father passed away when I was five from cancer. Since then my mother and brother and I have been together working through our grief. Along with balancing being a single parent and grieving, my mom has been doing a great job of caring for me and my brother who has special needs, and who recently had a kidney transplant, he is doing great!

While my mother has always been able to provide what we need, and often some of our wants, any large additional costs would not be attainable.

Going on this school trip would literally give me a different view of the world. I am excited to be able to visit another country and learn of culture that is different of my own. Going on this school trip would give me the opportunity to increase my knowledge and socialize with others. Traveling is not something we are often given the opportunity to do, but I have one now.

I like to think that I do my best to put out positivity into the world, and be the best person that I can be. I work hard in school and at home, and I am always finding new ways to challenge myself. I would like the chance to experience something completely different and likely a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Thank you for taking the time to read about me and my goal to visit Europe next year.