My name is Candice Harden and I am a junior at Providence St. Mel High School. I am the president of the National Honor Society in addition to being a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. In the summer of 2005, I was given a scholarship to attend Oxford University in England, where I studied for three weeks. This ignited my passion to study abroad. This summer, I will be studying at Stanford University’s 2007 High School Summer Session.
The total cost of this program is $8,865 in addition to spending money for eight weeks. So far, I have raised $5,500. My church family, New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, has given me spiritual, emotional and monetary support. But I am determined not to allow my economic status to be an impediment to my success.
Benjamin Franklin, a famous inventor among many things, once said, “Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?” Contemplating this quote, I often find myself in the perspective of a sundial in the shade. The sundial has all the potential, capabilities and talents it needs to fulfill its duty as a clock, however, it lacks the necessary resources, which is the sun. Like a sundial in the shade, I possess the capability to achieve a higher level of education. And like the sundial in the shade, I too lack the necessary resources to achieve my goal.
Let me take this opportunity to ask you for assistance in making the advancement of my education a reality. Any contribution would be gladly appreciated. Please, don’t permit my sundial to sit in the shade.
Sincerely Yours,
Candice Harden
Austin scholar
