In Mean-spirited Neapolitans, I wrote last month about several Naples residents’ reactions to a letter to the editor of the Naples Daily News. Erika Ramirez, a high school junior, needed to raise about $2,500 on top of the 50% scholarship she was awarded in order to attend the Junior Statesman Foundation Summer School at Princeton University.
Several of my readers shared my dismay at the mean-spirited responses (you can see their comments here if you scroll to the bottom of the page) and some said they, too, wanted to help.
I’m pleased to report that Erika was successful in raising the money. The program began this week and will run through the end of the month.
Here’s the update I received today from Erika:
I am happy to inform you that I am on campus. I want thank you again for taking the interest in my story. Well I am loving the constitutional program. It is just amazing and fulfilling. My typical day starts at 8 am with class till 11 then lunch followed by an afternoon session till 2:30. In the evenings I have a debate class for about 2 hours. I will have to write a 12-15 page paper on a constitutional issue and also present a debate on a topic followed by 3 shorter debates. I’m sorry I took a while to [let you know] but as you can imagine I’m swamped with reading and research. Best wishes for you and thank you once again.
-Erika Ramirez
I’m so pleased to know we were able to help Erika get to Princeton. I plan to stay in touch with her and hope she’ll send me a copy of her paper. If she does, I’ll share it with you!
It’s nice to know that sometimes it is possible to make a difference in someone’s life!