Hey everyone (or Mr. Webb and Nikki, who I'm pretty sure are the only ones sticking with my posts)!
Tomorrow I'll be on a fieldtrip to the College of Southern Maryland for their Communications Day, and I can't wait to hear everyone talking about their pursuits and how they got to where they wanted to be. I hope to use both my fieldtrip and the week at Mason to piece together a goal for my dream job, and I'll be sure to utilize all the skills that I've picked up along the way.
At the moment I am set on pursuing film as a career, whether I be an editor, producer or even the director.
I know I've said it a lot, but truly, without my family I never would have been able to make it to this conference, and I can't thank them enough for helping out when I needed them. They've always stood by and supported me, and I'm glad everyday that I have them to call my own. I also have to thank my teachers and everyone at school who's been congradulating me ever since my principal announced my selection a few days ago :)
I know the length between posts has been kind of sketchy, so in the coming weeks I'll be trying out some new formats and probably submitting shorter posts on a more frequent basis to keep everyone up on my journey to the conference.
Thanks for reading!
Leena
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Yes!!!
http://readme.readmedia.com/hometown-news/Leena-Neeb-chosen-as-National-Youth-Correspondent-will-travel-to-Washington-D-C/2216099
As of today at 10:28 AM, I offiicially became a National Youth Correspondent for Westlake High School and the state of Maryland!
After all the campaigning and immense support from my family, I am going on this week-long expedition to George Mason, and ever since that week before Thanksgiving Break when I recieved my first letter, its all I ever wanted to hear. My mailbox has been consistantlly overwhelmed with summer program information from colleges across the nation, even from my top choice, American University - and I've had to decline every single one of them because I was absolutely sure that this is what I wanted to do.
Its not so much that I was afraid I wouldn't be accepted, but for the longest time, I had a feeling that I wouldn't make the March 30th deadline, and even if I did, I'd be met with a waiting list notification. But to know that I am really and truly in the program is a great thing.
I will try and blog more frequently if I get any news, but I actually discovered that I was in the Maryland Independent back in December with absolutely no notice! Had I not searched online, I probably never would've known!
Thanks to everyone who's been coaching me on and been there for support!
Leena
As of today at 10:28 AM, I offiicially became a National Youth Correspondent for Westlake High School and the state of Maryland!
After all the campaigning and immense support from my family, I am going on this week-long expedition to George Mason, and ever since that week before Thanksgiving Break when I recieved my first letter, its all I ever wanted to hear. My mailbox has been consistantlly overwhelmed with summer program information from colleges across the nation, even from my top choice, American University - and I've had to decline every single one of them because I was absolutely sure that this is what I wanted to do.
Its not so much that I was afraid I wouldn't be accepted, but for the longest time, I had a feeling that I wouldn't make the March 30th deadline, and even if I did, I'd be met with a waiting list notification. But to know that I am really and truly in the program is a great thing.
I will try and blog more frequently if I get any news, but I actually discovered that I was in the Maryland Independent back in December with absolutely no notice! Had I not searched online, I probably never would've known!
Thanks to everyone who's been coaching me on and been there for support!
Leena
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
So Close!
Once again, I've neglected to keep this as updated as I once did, and I apologize. However, I have some great news.
I'm getting closer to having the tuition for the conference. While I'm not sure of the exact numbers, its very close. I'm very fortunate to have such a supportive family that was willing to help me out even when my own community either neglected or was not able to. I plan to have all of my payment in on the 15th of March, fully registering me and guaranteeing my spot as a National Youth Correspondent representing both my school and the state of Maryland.
One of my newest ideas was for a fundraiser, something that I hope will be a success so that there won't be so much stress on my family to come up with the rest of the tuition. I recently learned that the local bowling alley does fundraising events for interested parties, and if I were to get about 24 people to participate on the same night for my cause, I would raise enough to not only pay for the rest of my tuition, but set aside money for anything else as well.
This spring I plan to revamp my wardrobe for the conference (that means actual skirts and blouses - so professional!), and I'm very excited to have the opportunity. Every day it gets closer and closer to the summer, and I honestly am counting down the days until my drop-off at George Mason.
136 days. In four months and some change, I'll be standing in the halls of George Mason as a rising senior, a girl representing a small town in Southern Maryland among 249 other students. The thought itself is surreal. Just to think that this is an opportunity for me to not only shine, but to have contacts for the future - it almost seems like the time should go by faster just so I can wake up tomorrow and start packing.
This is definitely going to be the greatest week ever. I can't wait!
Thanks as always for reading,
Leena
I'm getting closer to having the tuition for the conference. While I'm not sure of the exact numbers, its very close. I'm very fortunate to have such a supportive family that was willing to help me out even when my own community either neglected or was not able to. I plan to have all of my payment in on the 15th of March, fully registering me and guaranteeing my spot as a National Youth Correspondent representing both my school and the state of Maryland.
One of my newest ideas was for a fundraiser, something that I hope will be a success so that there won't be so much stress on my family to come up with the rest of the tuition. I recently learned that the local bowling alley does fundraising events for interested parties, and if I were to get about 24 people to participate on the same night for my cause, I would raise enough to not only pay for the rest of my tuition, but set aside money for anything else as well.
This spring I plan to revamp my wardrobe for the conference (that means actual skirts and blouses - so professional!), and I'm very excited to have the opportunity. Every day it gets closer and closer to the summer, and I honestly am counting down the days until my drop-off at George Mason.
136 days. In four months and some change, I'll be standing in the halls of George Mason as a rising senior, a girl representing a small town in Southern Maryland among 249 other students. The thought itself is surreal. Just to think that this is an opportunity for me to not only shine, but to have contacts for the future - it almost seems like the time should go by faster just so I can wake up tomorrow and start packing.
This is definitely going to be the greatest week ever. I can't wait!
Thanks as always for reading,
Leena
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
First Letter!
Good evening,
Earlier this week I received my first letter, addressed from the community organizer of Dollar General. Unfortunately, I was informed that while the company applauded me in my pursuit of a higher education, they were unable to donate to any causes other than charities.
I figured that this would be the response from a majority of the businesses I corresponded with, but the fact that Dollar General's letter was dated February 8th raises some issues. When I delivered the letters to the Post Office, it was well before Christmas break. They were supposed to be received at ALL of their destinations by the 14th of December. December.
So how is it that it took over a month to get a response about a company-wide policy, something that is in no way flexible or deserving of an exception?
The deadline for the tuition of the conference is nearing every day, and as I count down the time until March 30th, I will continue to keep an eye out for the missing letters. Maybe I'll get some kind of good news.
Thanks for reading, and have a great night,
Leena
Earlier this week I received my first letter, addressed from the community organizer of Dollar General. Unfortunately, I was informed that while the company applauded me in my pursuit of a higher education, they were unable to donate to any causes other than charities.
I figured that this would be the response from a majority of the businesses I corresponded with, but the fact that Dollar General's letter was dated February 8th raises some issues. When I delivered the letters to the Post Office, it was well before Christmas break. They were supposed to be received at ALL of their destinations by the 14th of December. December.
So how is it that it took over a month to get a response about a company-wide policy, something that is in no way flexible or deserving of an exception?
The deadline for the tuition of the conference is nearing every day, and as I count down the time until March 30th, I will continue to keep an eye out for the missing letters. Maybe I'll get some kind of good news.
Thanks for reading, and have a great night,
Leena
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Attempt #2
There's only so much hope in the world before you realize that you're not getting a response.
It has officially been a month since I appealed to the local businesses of Charles County and abroad for small donations to go toward my conference tuition, and not a single one has replied as to whether or not they would be able to contribute.
What's strange to me is that if this were a college acceptance I was waiting on, at least I'd be guaranteed to get some kind of message. But nothing.
Registration for the conference officially opened 5 days ago, and due to the fact that a full payment of tuition is due upon making the final decision, my chances of getting in are slimming down. I have yet to actually contact any DC businesses though, and hopefully I'll be able to have some luck with them.
Basically, it's about $285 holding me back from the experience of a lifetime. I say this because ever since I got the letter in the mail from George Mason, I've found out just how supportive my family is. They're willing to go above and beyond to help me out, but the reason I'm appealing to all these businesses is because I wish they didn't have to give so much.
If I could get a few major sponsors, not only would I be able to register sooner, but it'd be less of a burden on the ones I care about.
I have until the 30th of March, and I will be sending more letters. A lot more. I'll be posting more blogs. I'll record more videos (even if the original ones were horrible). Somehow, I'm making it to this conference, and I'll continue to use this blog as a way to keep everyone posted. Right now, its just proving to be a little more challenging than I expected.
Thanks for reading,
Leena
It has officially been a month since I appealed to the local businesses of Charles County and abroad for small donations to go toward my conference tuition, and not a single one has replied as to whether or not they would be able to contribute.
What's strange to me is that if this were a college acceptance I was waiting on, at least I'd be guaranteed to get some kind of message. But nothing.
Registration for the conference officially opened 5 days ago, and due to the fact that a full payment of tuition is due upon making the final decision, my chances of getting in are slimming down. I have yet to actually contact any DC businesses though, and hopefully I'll be able to have some luck with them.
Basically, it's about $285 holding me back from the experience of a lifetime. I say this because ever since I got the letter in the mail from George Mason, I've found out just how supportive my family is. They're willing to go above and beyond to help me out, but the reason I'm appealing to all these businesses is because I wish they didn't have to give so much.
If I could get a few major sponsors, not only would I be able to register sooner, but it'd be less of a burden on the ones I care about.
I have until the 30th of March, and I will be sending more letters. A lot more. I'll be posting more blogs. I'll record more videos (even if the original ones were horrible). Somehow, I'm making it to this conference, and I'll continue to use this blog as a way to keep everyone posted. Right now, its just proving to be a little more challenging than I expected.
Thanks for reading,
Leena
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Account Issues and Donations
Though I am still aware that I only have one dedicated follower (thank you Nikki!!), for anyone else reading as well, sorry for the lack of updates. To be honest, there's not much to tell at the moment except for the small problem I seem to have run into today that might end up being bigger than I'd like it to be.
I technically registered for the conference twice, because I was worried that my results were not counted the first time due to my own computer's fault. In doing so, I recieved two letters detailing my acceptance into the conference, both with different deadlines for accepting my nomination.
If things are going the way they're supposed to be, I would already be on my way to registration. However, in an attempt to relocate my VIP page and check for any important announcements that I could possibly miss, I tried to log in to the website presented to me, and nothing. Knowing that I entered both my correct user and password into the system, it worried me even more when I attempted to change my password and told that no email or username existed for the account I was trying to fix.
I really and truly hope that no mishap ends up messing with the conference this summer, as I would like to secure my spot and tuition immeditely upon the registration opening.
As far as business sponsors, I have yet to recieve any kind of correspondence, save for the letter returned to me from the Womens' Association that was apparently listed under the wrong address. I haven't lost hope, but I can say that I am disappointed. Even if these places were unable to help me with a monetary donation, I would rather be told so than forever waiting on a reply that may never come.
I technically registered for the conference twice, because I was worried that my results were not counted the first time due to my own computer's fault. In doing so, I recieved two letters detailing my acceptance into the conference, both with different deadlines for accepting my nomination.
If things are going the way they're supposed to be, I would already be on my way to registration. However, in an attempt to relocate my VIP page and check for any important announcements that I could possibly miss, I tried to log in to the website presented to me, and nothing. Knowing that I entered both my correct user and password into the system, it worried me even more when I attempted to change my password and told that no email or username existed for the account I was trying to fix.
I really and truly hope that no mishap ends up messing with the conference this summer, as I would like to secure my spot and tuition immeditely upon the registration opening.
As far as business sponsors, I have yet to recieve any kind of correspondence, save for the letter returned to me from the Womens' Association that was apparently listed under the wrong address. I haven't lost hope, but I can say that I am disappointed. Even if these places were unable to help me with a monetary donation, I would rather be told so than forever waiting on a reply that may never come.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Crash
No one ever wants to see their beloved computer eaten up by an evil nasty virus. However, that was exactly the way I rang in my new year, with a newly restored laptop that I had come to depend on almost exclusively for document retention. My poor stories, saved only by the fact that I'd copied most of them onto my trusty flashdrive.
As for fundraising, the thing is that I know the corporations I have actually sent letters to have recieved them. According to the Post Office, they would have arrived at their destinations by the 14th of December. It's the third day of January, though after the holiday break, I admit that it's also the first day of getting mail. Still though, the 14th?
After walking to my mailbox every day with a look of expectation, I'm not as disappointed to see that the only mail addressed to me comes from colleges. I do hope that these businesses are able to sponsor me - truly. It would mean so much stress being lifted from my family. So I will be patient, and continue to wait while I gather another list of potential sponsors. I hope to get in contact with more by this weekend, and so far am very glad to still have a solid opportunity like this.
Saying that I know I'll be going to George Mason this summer makes my classes so much more tolerable, knowing that all the hard work I'm putting in is paying off in the best way.
Welcome back to work/school,
Leena
As for fundraising, the thing is that I know the corporations I have actually sent letters to have recieved them. According to the Post Office, they would have arrived at their destinations by the 14th of December. It's the third day of January, though after the holiday break, I admit that it's also the first day of getting mail. Still though, the 14th?
After walking to my mailbox every day with a look of expectation, I'm not as disappointed to see that the only mail addressed to me comes from colleges. I do hope that these businesses are able to sponsor me - truly. It would mean so much stress being lifted from my family. So I will be patient, and continue to wait while I gather another list of potential sponsors. I hope to get in contact with more by this weekend, and so far am very glad to still have a solid opportunity like this.
Saying that I know I'll be going to George Mason this summer makes my classes so much more tolerable, knowing that all the hard work I'm putting in is paying off in the best way.
Welcome back to work/school,
Leena
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