Valedictorian-A Fight for Education
Hey guys! My name is Arianna Hall. I am 19 years old and I live in Wilmington, DE. I am a 2016 graduate of Thomas McKean High School, where I held the honor of being my class Valedictorian with an ending GPA of 4.9 due to the 7 AP courses I had taken.
Education has always been my top priority, which is why I couldn't be more thankful to you for taking the time to read this. I can't explain how much your investment in my college education means to me.
My family doesn't have much. My father has been absent for over 11 years, and my mother has been disabled for the past 3 years.
Where I come from, furthering ones education isn't always supported. Mostly because we simply can't afford it, but I'm grateul to have a roof over my head through Section 8 housing, and food on my plate by way of Food Stamps.
It is not without great determination that I have been attending Washington College in Chestertown, MD as a double major in Political Science and Music Education. Now you may be asking, "why is this school better than any other college?" Well, my answer to that is that though it may not be the top ranking college in the US or the best college for everyone, it's the perfect college and the perfect fit for me. Here is why:
Throughout high school I began to realize something about myself, about the way I learn and interact with others. My AP classes generally held between 11 and 20 students. That experience of a small community increased my excitement and desire to be in class and be on top of my game because I knew everyone else in my class was trying just as hard as I to do well.
WAC is a small community full of not only brilliant intellectuals, but friends and family. I love WAC because they challenge me to discover myself everyday. It's gotten to the point where I can't sleep at night sometimes because i'm just so excited for classes the next day and to see my friends, or go visit my buddy Ro down at the local center.
This first semester I have worked incredibly hard to establish myself and become apart of my new family. I'd give anything to continue building the relationships I have with all these wonderful people. I didn't know at first that i would fall in love with Washington College, but I suppose I fell for it the way one falls asleep. Slowly, and then all at once.
My clubs and organizations include:
Best Buddies (Fundraising Chair)
Club Field Hockey 
And Student Government Association (Senator)-
all while juggling my work-study job, and taking 18 credits worth of classes.
I am disheartened to know that although I have received scholarships and grants both from inside and outside the institution, I am still $30,000 short of insuring my place at WAC for the next three years.
Despite my attempts to save funds, apply for loans (which failed due to poor credit), and prove myself by making Deans List, it seems the school of my dreams will not accept just the little bit that I can provide until I can try to figure out another way. I can no longer try to do this by myself, and it is with great grief that I ask for help. Especially because I take pride in being able to help myself and others.
I know that there are thousands of people in a similar situation as I, however I truly appreciate you simply taking the time to read and consider me for this opportunity to continue my college education. I assure you that I do not take your generousity lightly, and your funding will not be wasted or taken advantage of other than for what I've stated above.
Thank you again for your time and consideration!
