Kaitlin Denton

I am writing to thank you for the two generous Scholarships!  I was very happy and appreciative to learn that I was selected as the recipient of the Jay Johnson and Nancy Brueckner Scholarship. I never had it easy growing up, and I knew that I wanted to do better with my life, and you helped to make college possible for me.

I am the first in my family to attend college.  I no longer live with my parents due to their drug addiction.  Years ago, I made the decision to leave a volatile situation and take my younger brother with me to live with my Aunt in Gold Beach.  Unfortunately, her only income is from social security disability and, as much as my Aunt would love to help me continue on to higher education, financially, she just can not.  So it is up to me to find a way to afford college on my own.  Although it has been hard growing up in my situation, it has also made me realize the value of a college education.  By awarding me these scholarships, you have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning.

I am going to attend Southwestern Oregon Community College in the fall of 2015, and I am going to earn my AA/OT in elementary education.  Financially, it makes the most sense to complete general education classes there before transferring to WEstern Oregon University.  I am going to earn a Bachelor’s Degree with an emphasis in Elementary Education, completing the necessary applications and test to recive my teching certification, and proudly take my place among Oregon’s finest educators.

I hope that one day I can help others, as you have hleped me when I needd your financial support.  I assure you that this scholarship will help me greatly!

Thank You!