February 29, 2012
New York State
Albany, NY 12222
Dear Legislator,
My hunger to reach my dreams drives me to write this letter to you, in hopes that you will pay attention to the things that lead to a better tomorrow for minority students like myself. The Educational Opportunities Program (EOP) at the University at Albany, is one of the many programs that can help students look forward to a better and to a more promising future. This program has been the most beneficial opportunity in my life. I have been able to get keen insights from my director, many counselors, and other professional staff about what I can do in order to have a better tomorrow for my family, my community, and myself. I have also been able to turn many weaknesses into strengths. And I have been able to grow as an individual in a higher education community.
When I started the college application process, I didn’t know anything about college; I didn’t know what college was like, I didn’t know what classes to pick for my first semester and I didn’t know who to turn to for help. EOP was there to help me as I struggled. In high school I had a decent average, but I didn’t have the perfect SAT’s score. If I didn’t have an opportunity like EOP, many colleges would’ve turned me down since I did not fit the criteria of a traditional student.
I am very thankful about where I come from and the many things I learned in high school, however I was still underprepared for college. This in fact, did not leave me hopeless. EOP gives me the opportunity to obtain a college education, counseling and tutoring services in order to improve my skills in areas that need reinforcement. EOP gives me the opportunity to enter a good university and excel. It is an academic and goal oriented program, in which I have been able to grow as an individual.
This program does not only help me as a student, it helps my entire community. It is committed to being a force for good in this community and in the many other communities in which it is implemented. As a senator who passes laws to build a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant New York, I ask with all the respect that you help keep many dreams alive in order for us to climb the ladder of success and make our communities better.
EOP is very important to me, since I know that there are many students in my community that need the help that this program provides. EOP can help them look for a better tomorrow and their dreams can become realities like I’m hoping mine will. All in all, I want to ask for your support since it can be very beneficial to the Educational Opportunities Program, to its many students that need an extra push, and to those of us who want to grow as the leaders of tomorrow. It truly does help students like myself look forward for a better tomorrow. I would, wholeheartedly, appreciate if you can help keep my dream as well future generations of EOP students’ dream alive.
Sincerely,
Clarisol Salcedo
