Chelsea Schmidt
301 E. McKamey St.
Payson, AZ 85541
May 30, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Chelsea Schmidt and I am a Payson High School graduate, class of 2006. I have just completed my second year of college at the University of Arizona, majoring in Anthropology and the Classics while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. I am writing to you because I have been given the opportunity to participate in some wonderful programs over the next year which are bound to change my life. To be able to take part in these programs, I need financial assistance, which I hope you can help provide.
This fall I will be setting sail on a unique study abroad experience called Semester at Sea. This program will allow me to take a “Voyage of Discovery,” studying and experiencing first-hand an array of diverse cultures and people in all corners of the world. I will spend the semester onboard a state-of-the-art floating campus, taking classes that will transfer back to the University of Arizona, all while circumnavigating the globe, stopping in 10 ports and having the opportunity to explore 12 countries. Instead of the traditional college semester, I will be provided the world as a classroom. Highlights of the trip include: a week spent exploring the Brazilian Amazon, an African safari, a visit to the Taj Mahal, camping out on the Great Wall of China, a trip to the Hiroshima memorial site, seeing the Pearl Harbor Memorial, and a home stays with local families.
The second opportunity I have been given is an invitation to the University Presidential Inauguration Conference, which as the name suggests will mean I will be able to take part in and personally witness the historic event of the inauguration of the next President of the United States. The week long conference will take place next January and in addition to attending the inauguration, the conference is comprised of exclusive and private inaugural events and activities featuring world-renowned keynote speakers and political experts. As an Inaugural Scholars I will meet and interact with White House veterans, press secretaries, political powerhouses, Washington, D.C. insiders, presidential historians, policy makers, documentary film makers and other prominent and sought-after personalities and political experts.
As you might expect, these programs are quite expensive. Between both programs, the total expense is close to $30,000. Thankfully I have been able to finance most of my trip already through scholarships, grants, and my own savings. Right now I still need to come up with about $3,000 before the August deadlines. Any support would really help, from monetary aid to the donations of frequent flier miles.
Should you have any questions about the programs or for me, please feel free to contact me at (928) 517-1078 or at schmidt8@email.arizona.edu. Your support and the support of those you know is greatly appreciated. I look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with you upon my return.
Sincerely,
Chelsea Schmidt
