Hey Everyone...I haven't updated in a while, so I apologize for that. Getting ready to go has been a big challenge, but things are really starting to pick up pace. With only 50 days left before I go off to China, I thought that I would quick take this moment to thank some of my sponsors and the various others that are helping to make this dream a reality:
1) Betsy Brown--Betsy is a local AFS volunteer who has been more than willing to offer any services that I may need before I leave.
2) Janis Petrini of Express Employment Professionals, GRR--Thank you so much for your donation and contribution towards helping me go...Having you as a neighbor and a friend has been a great experience!
3) Dan Pfeiffer of Pfeiffer Lincoln-Mercury, GRR--Thank you for your contribution and words of encouragement for my trip.
4) Roy VanderEnde of Casa la Parrot--Thank you for the help and support of initially getting me into the program...You will always be an instrumental part of my life!
5) Ann Steglich--Ann is Michigan's AFS coordinator, and she has been such a blessing to have as a guide through everything. I can honestly say that I would not be in this position if it weren't for Ann--Thank you!
Finally, I would like to release some great news that I have received recently: At the end of this past school year, our English teacher, Miss Krause, had us do a cause or an effect research paper. Naturally, I decided to write about the effects of studying abroad. I was proud of how the paper turned out, so I sent it to Ann Steglich in a very nonchalant manner to see what she thought. Ann really enjoyed the paper, so she sent it to her friends in AFS (the study-abroad organization I'm going through).
About a week ago, I was contacted by Ann. By seeing my commitment and passion for studying abroad, AFS had decided to award me the Stephen Galatti Scholarship. The scholarship fund is named after AFS' founder and past president Stephen Galatti, and only one scholarship is awarded each year! For a while, I thought it was all a dream--A 17 year-old child from a small, conservative town in West Michigan being awarded a top scholarship to go to China! I would like to re-emphasize my thanks to Ann Steglich for helping to make this happen, and I would also like to thank Miss Krause for encouraging me throughout the paper-writing process.
As a final note: While the scholarship is worth a total of $10,000, and I have received tremendous support for various individuals and local businesses, I am still required to raise $1,775 more to be able to go to China, not including airfare to Los Angeles and other miscellaneous needs. If anyone would like to donate, noting that all donations are tax deductible, you may contact me at my e-mail address: jonathanmiller.us@live.com
Forever and Always,
Jonathan A. Miller
