Dear Family of Albrianna Jane, Growing up I went to a small Lutheran Day school and then went on to a Lutheran High School. I had always preferred playing with the younger kids which gave me the want to someday become a teacher. When I had gotten to my senior year of high school I was immediately pressured about what I wanted to do. I knew immediately that I wanted to become a teacher. When I had to finally choose a Major, my first choice was Early Childhood Education as I had loved little kids. I had always been asked, what about double majoring. I thought that if I double major I'm going to be in school for 5 instead of 4 years which seemed like a lot. Thinking about it now as I am heading into my second year of college I am coming to realize that no matter where I end up, I will have to have a child with special needs in my future classroom. As though I already have my program plan set and cannot change it at this time, I will always be thinking of special needs children, which then gets me excited to learn more about how to help them later in my education, as I do have a class specifically for it that I will be taking my Junior year of College. I would love to say as I was reading the bio about Albrianna, it warms my heart to know that she loved Special Olympics Basketball. Last spring my boyfriend volunteered to coach a Special Olympics Basketball team. As that season went on for him I slowly joined and became a coach myself. I learned to love it and I am so excited to do it again next year. I found it amazing that through her playing basketball and her teachers, she learned she wanted to become a teacher. It breaks my heart that she never got to pursue her dream, as I know through her determination and love she would have been an amazing teacher. I am currently attending Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. Unfortunately, as it is an out-of-state college for me it is quite expensive. If I do get granted this scholarship it would mean so much to me. As it will help me so much more than you think. I will always now keep in my mind as I am living my dream to become a teacher, some will never be able to. I hope that you consider my application, and I thank you so much for your time in reading it. I am very sorry for your loss of Albrianna Jane, as I just know that she was the sweetest girl. Blessings on your day. Rhiannon Kaye Schaefer