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So much
more than a scholarship
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Before I ask for your help, I ask
you to read Cara's story. Her experience provides personal insight into how
the generosity of donors and the support provided through our program helped
her during the most difficult time of her young life.
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Cara grew up in North Minneapolis
and lived with her mother who was a janitor at a nursing home. From an
early age, Cara knew that she wanted to go to college and chose Southwest
High School because she knew that she would be more likely to get into a good
college.
It took two bus transfers to get to
school each day but she worked hard and took advantage of many opportunities
offered at Southwest. Everything changed for Cara when her mother
passed away from cancer during her junior year. Cara moved in with her
father - an even longer bus ride - but she continued her studies and
graduated from Southwest High School in 2014.
Cara's dad was retired and not able
to help with the cost of college, so she was thrilled when she received a
scholarship from Wallin Education Partners. The scholarship includes
financial aid and a wide range of service including the support of a
dedicated advisor, a relationship that turned out to be pivotal. When
in her sophomore year of college Cara's father died, her advisor, Peggy
Pluimer, was the first person Cara called. "Peggy would know what
to do", she recalls.
With no siblings or parents, Cara
thought she was alone. Except that she wasn't. Peggy stood by
Cara at her father's funeral, and was there for her every step of the
way. Cara knew that the donor who provides her scholarship was
also in her corner. When asked what Wallin Education Partners means to
her, she said "I always have someone to motivate me, to keep me
going and someone that I can make proud."
And proud we are. Cara has
been accepted into the Public Policy and International Affairs program at the
University of California, Berkley this summer, with plans to go to law school
after graduation.
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Cara's story is similar to hundreds
of scholars in our program and demonstrates the impact that the generosity of
our donors has on the lives of young people. Please consider a donation to
help other students who like Cara have overcome remarkable challenges yet
continue to persist and thrive. Thank you.
Stela Center
Director of Development
(952) 345-1916
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