GRANTED

Our 2 oldest children, oldest son and youngest son, attend the Catholic school here in our town. Our tax returns go toward their tuition every year, and now oldest daughter is of the age that she can start attending the 3 year old preschool, however it is not financially feasible for us. The principal told us that there is a scholarship offered by one of the parish families each year. She suggested we apply, by writing a letter. Here is that letter (with names protected):

Dear K. D. and staff of Saint J. School,

I have never written a letter like this before, and after reading the story behind where this scholarship stems from, I am humbled to be applying. C sounds like an amazing child and we are grateful that the W family has used their tragedy to give others such a wonderful opportunity. So I first want to say a big "THANK YOU" to the W family.

We are applying on behalf of our daughter. She turned 3 in February, and recently has been been asking, "When I go school?" She saw her 2 older brothers off to school every morning during the school year, and was anxious to welcome them back home every afternoon, and would sit happily and listen to them talk about their day.

In April is when she first started asking where "recess" is, because she wanted to go there, so we all took our shots at explaining what recess is and that it is something that happens at school. And by May, she was watching her brothers do their "cool work" and again, wanted some school work of her own and was asking where she could get some. So we began giving her old assignment sheets that the boys had brought home, and she would use those to pretend she was doing her very own school work.

She went to the nursery all year during 10:15 mass, and eventually connected that that was what school is (friends, playing, learning, singing), and she started referring to the nursery as "Oldest daughter's school". She does not attend any type of daycare, so she really looked forward to "her school" every Sunday, looked forward to seeing her school friends, and eventually started asking to go to school with her brothers during the week. I would always respond, telling her that "yes, you will go to school some day when you get a little bigger". Now we are well into the summer, and she still asks every day.

My husband, J, and I started to discuss putting her in the 3 year old preschool at Saint J's and contacted Mrs. D for further information. I offered what we could afford to pay every month, which was nowhere near the tuition required, unfortunately. It was then that I was informed that fair share is not offered for the preschool and Mrs. D brought this scholarship to my attention.

We would love to see oldest daughter start out her school career at St. J's, alongside her older brothers, but financially it is just not possible for us this year. In another year or 2 we will be able to pay more and include her in our contribution when we enroll her older brothers, as J continues to get raises. That would work out perfectly considering her age - in 2 years she will be ready for kindergarten. However, we wanted to at least make an attempt at enrolling her now since she's showing so much interest.

We hope that you will consider accepting oldest daughter in your school, which is not possible without the scholarship. Oldest daughter is not a genius, but she is a happy and smart girl who is a fast learner. She is outgoing, quick with a smile, happy to meet new people, and we are confident she would be a good fit for your school. She very much looks forward to attending "some day" and it would be a great surprise for her if we are able to tell her she'll be able to attend in a couple of months and be able to start counting down the days with her.

Thank you for your consideration,
The big guy, and Lady of the house

This morning I got the phone call, WE GOT THE SCHOLARSHIP!!! YES YES YES!!! God is good.