Helping Nicolle

Swiftee is on a mission. The mission's name is Nicolle Birch.

Swiftee's impressed - which, I'm here to tell you, isn't easy:

Once in awhile you run across a kid who blows every pre-conceived notion you've ever had about today's kids right out of the water.

I am extremely privileged to have an acquaintance with such a youngster...
Although she and her dad live modestly on his SSI and VA benefits (he's a disabled Vietnam Vet), she proves the lie behind the public schools "free and reduced lunch" canard every day...Nicolle is a straight "A" student..as in maintaining a 4.0 average throughout her schooling type straight "A". When she's not hitting the books for herself, she helps her classmates hit theirs as a student tutor after school.

And on most Saturdays you can find Nicolle at the library doing some free-lance tutoring; no I'm not kidding.

He quotes Ms. Birch:

My name is Nicolle Birch and I am a sophomore at Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights. I have been nominated to represent my school and the state at the National Young Leaders Conference to be held this summer in Washington, D.C.

The Conference brings high school students from around the country who have demonstrated academic achievement as well as leadership abilities to participate in an interactive program of the inner workings of the nation’s government...
Imagine if you have been given this opportunity for a life-changing experience when you were in high school and were unable to participate for lack of funds. That is why I am writing to you today.

My participation in the Conference depends on whether I can raise $2,185 for tuition and $450 for the plane ticket to and from the Conference.

Swiftee again:

What Nicolle failed to mention is that just 350 students are selected to attend this conference nationwide.

As I mentioned, her dad is a disabled vet. He cannot come up with this on his own, and although he wasn't really pleased, he has allowed me to make this bleg on behalf of his daughter.

I wish you could all meet this young woman in person because you'd have your wallets out before you knew what you were doing, but that's not possible.

So I'm asking you please, pull out your wallets anyway.

The Birch's don't have internet access, so please send Nicolle a hard copy check at the following address:

Nicolle Birch
c/o Paul Birch
697 Stryker Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55107

Good luck, Nicolle. I'll see what I can squeeze out here...

Posted by Mitch at February 14, 2006 05:46 AM | TrackBack