<p>There are many CC threads and forums right now where students and parents are posting about not getting in to the school of their choice, or not getting good aid offers, or having to shoulder larger than expected financial burdens. I'd like to suggest that parents read and propogate this recent New York Times article, about a young woman who deserves much better than she's getting right now. Here's to hoping that she'll eventually triumph. </p>
<p>Just go to South Africa and tour a fellowship, and you’ll never again feel sorry for yourself. Especially when you see how happy the kids are to be in “school.” Wow.</p>
<p>i’d love to see a follow up story to this girl–say, in ten years time. her discipline, work ethic, and practical nature will serve her well. the fact that she is also bright is even better. my guess is she will find ways to contribute (musically, or otherwise) in a profound manner. in whatever manner, it will be hard earned and genuine.</p>
<p>^^MaineLonghorn, I just came back from SA. You’re so right. We met kids in a school that provides science “enrichment” for many high schools in the surrounding Townships. Most of them are AIDS orphans being raised by grandmothers…15 or 16 grandchildren at once. The science school is on about an American 6th grade level and is for children who would be the equivalent of our h.s. juniors. We were told they come there not ever having heard about space travel.</p>
<p>My niece lived with her always impoverished mom until 9th grade, when the power was turned off one too many times. She moved hundreds of miles away to live with her dad which was fine until he remarried. At the end of 1st semester senior year, the evil step mother kicked my niece out of the house - she was 18 after all. She went to live with her older brother who kicked out his male room mate to accomodate his sister. My sister, my mom and I each sent about $100 a month to pay for niece’s share of the rent. She quit all her ECs at school and got a job as a waitress. She graduated in the top 10% of her class and is now an honors graduate of our terrific state flagship, having figured out on her own how to apply for need based aid. She’s now applying to grad schools - she’s gotten into several, but again, needs a lot of financial aid.</p>
<p>The country is full of these terrific kids. It’s not so rare - it’s just rare on CC.</p>
<p>Silvervestersmom, that’s neat you got to see that! I took my two boys when they were 10 and 13, and my daughter this past fall when she was 10. We enjoyed going on safari in Kruger National Park and touring Cape Town, but the township tour is what I think the kids will always remember. Especially my middle son, who hates school, lol. Now he appreciates his opportunities a little more, and is even saying he wants to go into some kind of ministry for children.</p>
<p>^^ I’ll never forget the exuberance and good cheer of those 40 kids. Despite it being the end of their school day they were all neat and clean in their uniforms. They wolfed down sandwiches before coming into the classroom and participated enthusiastically in the science lesson…that day it was on sound waves and the sounds of various musical instruments. One girl said she cries at night because she wants so badly to come to the US. There were about 12 of us and we mingled at the end of class. Afterwards their bus and ours played tag on the road and everytime they’d pass us they all called and cheered out of the windows. Many of them are HIV positive already…who knows what their futures will be? I’ve been home 2 weeks and that iss one of my favorite memories.</p>
<p>I’m hoping she does get her two-year degree in nursing, starts working, saves $$$, gets a four-year degree, and becomes Queen of the Nurses. All while playing violin. :)</p>
<p>There are a number of schools that would give her a full scholarship if she wanted to play the violin and was truly that good at it. Also, if that high school of hers was on the ball, someone could have parlayed her situation into a full ride somewhere. I am sorry to read that story.</p>
<p>read this first thing this morning and it has been bugging me all day; cptofthehouse hit it on the head; why didn’t someone get her a “full ride” somewhere…? depressing…</p>
<p>Shame on him/her, as far as I am concerned. I am surprised other teachers were not involved either, such as the music teacher. Perhaps they were and the young lady did not want to go that route.</p>
<p>When my kids were in music, we did know some kids that could have gone the music route in college and possibly gotten some scholarships that way, but they just did not want to do it. I have one who was a superb musician, but just wasn’t going to study it in college.</p>
<p>I knew a family, once upon a time, with very gifted kids. They had a small business, little money and lived in a far away, out of the mainstream area. We knew them because the kids took music lessons with ours at a college outreach program that offered preconservatory classes along with the individual lessons. There was also an elite youth orchestra, chamber groups, and other performing opportunities there.</p>
<p>No question that those kids were musically gifted. Absolutely they were and college professors along with various symphony members who were on staff at the music department at the college handed them all kinds of opportunities and scholarships for summer workshops and camps. They were also told that they were definitely material for college scholarships at a number of schools’ music departments.</p>
<p>They didn’t do it. They wanted to be with their friends in the area and ended up (the older two anyways) at the local school and then part time at a local community college as they work part time. That’s what everyone there does if they are college material. They had no desire to go away to college elsewhere. </p>
<p>I also spoke to the kids and mom. THey were always interested and polite but never followed up on anything. I do wonder about their local high school. THe kids were top students there, but there was no push for them to do anything other than to go local.</p>