November 5, 2009
Dear Colonel Mayhew,
First off, I would like to apologize for how long it has
taken me to contact you. To be completely honest with you, I had written you a
letter roughly a month ago; in hopes to convey just how sincerely I appreciated
the scholarship from the 281st. As most stories seem to go in my
life, there is a “but”. When I had written you that letter, I couldn’t find my
stamps, and decided to send it off as soon as I had the time to thoroughly
search them out. The letter has since remained in the back of my desk drawer.
Seeing as it is long outdated, I’ve written a new one, and I will make sure to
send it off. On the positive note, I recently (yesterday) had to clean my room,
due to the biweekly room checks that take place in every dorm, and so I know
where my stamps are.
Anyway, I do not think that a letter could adequately convey
just how very thankful I am for the 281 scholarship. Ave Maria is not only a
beautiful campus, but it is much more academically challenging than I expected.
It definitely brings about a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Not only is the
school intellectually challenging, but it is very focused on the growth of the
personal growth of the students, which is something I had not expected. The
school seems concerned not only at how successful we will be following our
graduation, but our individual character as well. The professors and
administration all seem to wish for our success and are nearly always available.
Apparently, on other campuses, especially private schools, the staffs are more
selective with the students, and put more effort into “weeding out” those
students who don’t immediately excel. Here, the challenge to excel is always
presented, but the hand to help, explain, and improve is also always there.
It is a very peculiar, modern college campus I think, because
even the student body is very dedicated to “raising the bar” in a sense.
Weekends consist of student organized swing dances, movie nights, and karaoke
rather than beach and drinking parties. I really am content here, and I am sure
that I would not be so at any other campus. It would have been much more
difficult to attend AMU if not for the scholarship. Again, thank you so much.
I’ve included a few pictures of the campus and one of the
Oratory, which is the focus of the town and campus of Ave Maria. Again, I would
like to apologize for the very late reply to all that you have done for me, but
I hope that I was able to convey in this letter how thankful I am for the
scholarship.
God Bless,
Helen Michelle Ohmes