Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

We hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. We are writing to you today with an exciting opportunity that has the potential to change the lives of a group of determined and ambitious high school students. We are the Advanced Via Individual Determination (AVID) class from Soquel High School, and we are reaching out to humbly request your support for a cause that means the world to us.

AVID is a program designed to empower students who are often underrepresented in higher education to achieve academic success and pursue their dreams of attending college. Our class is filled with passionate, hardworking individuals who have set their sights on higher education as a means to a brighter future. Many of us are first-generation college hopefuls, and we are excited to explore the endless possibilities that await us.

One of the most significant milestones in our AVID journey is the opportunity to visit colleges and universities. These visits are essential in helping us make informed decisions about our future educational paths. They allow us to experience firsthand the campus culture, interact with current students, and gain valuable insights into the admissions process.

However, organizing these college visits requires more resources than our class can provide on our own. We are determined to make this opportunity accessible to every AVID student, regardless of their financial circumstances. To make this dream a reality, we are launching a PledgeCents campaign to raise funds to cover the costs associated with these college visits.

Your support will directly impact the lives of our AVID students by:

• Increasing College Readiness: Your contribution will enable us to visit a variety of colleges and universities, giving us a better understanding of the options available to us and what each institution has to offer. We will be touring CSULB, UCLA, and possibly other Southern California colleges. Funds will also cover two charter buses and a one-night stay at a hotel for all students.

• Inspiring Future Generations: By helping us reach our goal, you are not only supporting our dreams but also encouraging other young minds to pursue higher education and break the cycle of limited opportunities.

• Empowering Our Community: Our success will serve as a testament to what can be achieved with determination and support. We aim to inspire others in our community to pursue their dreams relentlessly.

No amount is too small, and every contribution will make a significant difference in our journey to explore college opportunities. Please consider donating to our DonorsChoose.org campaign and sharing our cause with your network. Your support will help us open doors to a brighter future and ensure that no dream is out of reach.

Thank you for taking the time to read our letter and for considering supporting our cause. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of these young scholars, shaping the future of our community and beyond.

If you have any questions about the fundraiser and what the proceeds will go to, please contact our teacher, Haley Leifheit, at haleyleifheit@sccs.net. 

With gratitude and hope,

Soquel High School’s AVID Juniors and Seniors

If we do not reach our goal, we will be devastated but we will adapt as necessary. If we fundraise less money than our goal, we will plan a field trip that a lower budget would allow. We likely would not have an overnight stay in Southern California but would plan to visit a college campus that is more accessible.