My daughter Claire is 15 years old. This past September, she was nominated as a Student Ambassador for People to People Educational Programs. I didn’t know much about it, so we went to an orientation meeting to get the scoop. Turns out it’s an honor and a pretty big deal. An educational trip through Europe over the summer of 2011 to represent the U.S. (I’ll miss her!), it’s an experience she’ll never forget. And, she can earn school credits as well.
But, it’s also got a pretty hefty price tag. I’m all for giving my kids what they want, but sometimes, you have to show them the reality. And nothing speaks reality more than money. Especially when you have no concept of it. So, I told my baby, maybe one of the hardest things I’ve ever done to someone I’ve never said “no” to, that if she paid half, I’d pay the other. Pretty daunting task for a 15 year old, I thought, but I wanted to see where she’d go with it. Daunting? Turns out, not so much.
Today she handed me the letter below and asked me to mail it to everyone who attended my wedding. And her christening. And in my mother’s address book. Pretty smart cookie. And after I read it, I told her I’d blog it. Not so much because I want you to invest in her project (but I won’t stop you), but because I am so impressed by her innovative little mind. I’ve always told her to go for what she wants. Apparently, it stuck.
I’ve watched her progress through this, watched her freak out because it seems so high a goal. But through it all, my pride in her grew… and grew… and grew… I’ve posted her letter below, omitting details that I don’t want out in Cyberspace.
As I’m friends with many an entrepreneur, I thought you might enjoy her innovation yourself. If you’ve forgotten what it’s like to be 15 and have the world at your feet, here’s a good dose of it. Enjoy (and consider?) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Claire E. Wajda
xx xxxxxxxxxx
Staatsburg, NY 12580
xxx-xxx-xxxx
February 26, 2011
Dear Friends and Family:
I was nominated, interviewed and accepted to participate as a member of the New York State People to People Student Ambassador Program to Europe this summer. This 21 Day program of exchange consists of meetings with government officials, interaction with other students my age, educational activities and a home visit with a host family from Tuscany. I can also apply my experience for school credit, and use it as an asset on my college applications. (I’ve included an itinerary and its benefits in this envelope.)
In case you haven't heard of People to People, here is some information you may like to know. President Dwight Eisenhower initiated People to People in 1956. He believed that if people from different cultures could come together in peace and friendship, so eventually would countries. I believe this, too.
Student Ambassadors are carefully interviewed and evaluated before their acceptance, and we share our experiences with schools and civic clubs when we return. There are many educational elements in my program. I would like to become a Student Ambassador because I believe we can influence the world’s view of Americans one person at a time.
The tuition for the program is $6,800, for all program costs. My Mom has committed to cover half my costs, and I am committed to raising the remaining half of the cost through my own work and effort.
I am asking friends and family to become stockholders in my experience by buying shares of stock in my program at $25 per share. Would you consider buying one or more shares to help me reach my goal? I am also running a raffle for a 16GB Ipad for $5 per ticket, and making home-made peanut butter cups and selling them at school. You can partake in these activities too, if you choose. My peanut butter cups are the best you will ever have! I will share my journal, photographs and experiences with my stockholders at a stockholders meeting (picnic in Poughkeepsie) in August of 2011. I will also put together a video of my photos and experiences and will mail you a copy on DVD when I return. Live vicariously through me and tour Europe through the eyes of a 15-year-old!
The program tuition is due by May 1, 2011. Checks may be made payable to People to People and sent to me in the enclosed envelope so I may forward it to People to People before the due date. My Student Ambassador ID Number is xxxxxxx. Please put this number on your check. Your generous donation will enable me to share in this wonderful program. In the event I am not able to participate in the program, your contribution will be refunded in full. I thank you in advance for your gracious consideration and support.
Sincerely yours,
Claire E. Wajda ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, she’s mine, but I found her letter quite amazing. I guess if I knew this was available when I was 15, I may have done the same.
So, thanks for taking a peek at my daughter’s first “entrepreneurial” venture. If nothing else, it paves the way for her to know she can be or do anything she wants in life. Yay for her! And, incidentally, if you do want to buy stock in my daughter and her adventure, or a raffle ticket for the Ipad, you can send me a private email at lwajda@optonline.net , or FB me a direct message, and I’ll give you the details. And thanks.
(BTW, if you have a teenager and you haven’t purchased “Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens”, by Sean Covey, yet, I would strongly suggest that you do. Because you know what? If I knew then what she knows now, maybe I’d have taken the world by storm instead of just one raindrop at a time…)
Best of the Best,
Laurie
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