About the AIMS tuition waiver and the recent controversy around cutting the program:
I'm aware of the crisis our country is facing. I'm aware it is becoming increasingly difficult to fund government programs. So my thoughts and opinions do not come from a cloudy awareness of my surroundings, I am fully aware of the circumstances. What I don't understand is if they've been considering the cut for a while, why I still received a letter saying I was entitled to a share of the money available in the program. Why did they send me confirmation of a program offering full tuition funds when that money doesn't exist? Why am I now scrambling to account for six grand I had previously accounted for, that is now gone? And my biggest question (that will offend most people): Why the hell are academic programs being cut? God forbid we take funding away from the football team. Oh no, kids need their sports. Testosterone needs its outlet.
What about me? What about a kid who can't catch, kick, run, jump, or dive to save her life? What if I spent more time focusing on my education and the academic aspect of my schooling than worrying about if I made the team?
Why are the people who are trying hard in regards to schooling being left behind while the athletes are still playing off their talent, not their knowledge?
Answer me this.
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2 comments:
Hey, are adults allowed to comment on your blog? How about parents? Well, tough! I'm doing it anyway because I think it's important for you to hear me out.
First off, I don't think the hard work you've put in at this point is useless. There are many states (including the one we moved from) that don't offer these types of scholarships. You should be proud of the hard work and perseverance regardless of the reward of college money. In my opinion, it is infinitely more important you have proven to yourself that the only way to be successful is by working hard and sticking with it (something a lot of people in this country seem to have forgotten).
Secondly, you need to realize that colleges and universities are a business. It's true what they are selling is an education, but if they can find other means to make money they'll do it. This includes sports, which bring in a tremendous amount of money through corporate sponsorships and the fanatics that will pay outrageous prices for sporting event tickets and sports merchandise. Making money also includes the removal of any free money they are handing out. If they can get away with it by jumping on the "tough times" bandwagon they will do it without hesitation.
Point #3: Humans are animals too. Some have evolved more than others, and herein lies the confusion. This is the only way I can explain why some people are so entertained by kicking, throwing or hitting a ball and are willing to pay big bucks to watch other people do it too, while other people just shake their head and wonder why that energy and enthusiasm (not to mention money) couldn't be better spent making the world a better place.
And finally, sometimes this world just plain sucks. Greed, corruption, cruelty, neglect, violence, apathy, stupidity, and on and on and on. Is it any wonder people have given up on this world and are so fixated with the next? However, for every one of those truly soul-crushing things that can be called out without even trying there are those things that are so freaking amazing that it all balances out. But you have to look for those things in order to appreciate them. Little things add up but only if you have your mental calculator out with those batteries charged! Driving around listening to your favorite tunes. Spending time with the people you love. Teasing the dogs. Watching your children grow up to be the beautiful, strong, intelligent successes you dreamed they would be (I guess that one only applies to your lucky Mom and Dad). Don't give up! We love you! We will never stop supporting your efforts and making sure you have every opportunity you're willing to grab a hold of!
Since I haven't seemed to fill up the blogger buffer yet, I would like to leave you with one final thing. It's a poem, one of my favorites. Being the brain you are you've probably already seen it but I feel that it's relevant and bears repeating right now:
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
- William Ernest Henley
Love,
Dad
I agree with all your Dad said but want to add to it. Yes it sucks they may take this scholarship away, yes I think it is totally unfair that you were told if you worked hard and followed their rules it would be given to you and now they can just change their minds. But Hailey just think of all the times you have been told you couldn't do something. A certain teacher telling you to wait until 3rd grade to learn cursive. Did you wait? HELL NO! How about just recently when you wanted a smaller role in the musical and then the idea of something bigger was put in your head, did you give up and just take the easier, smaller role? HELL NO! You have always been strong willed (I have no idea where you get it from ;) ) and I guarantee you that scholarship or no scholarship come September 09 you will be a Sun Devil!!
Love,
Ma
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