Counselor's Toolbox: Time saving templates, guides and ideas

Deep, Diligent, Committed

School Recommendation

Katherine DeLuca

Katherine DeLuca is a talented student and a highly respected member of our community. Her tireless, sincere drive for knowledge and its application has made her an energetic scholar, and consistently takes her beyond the requirements of school. Her desire for knowledge is matched by an equally strong determination to use her gifts in service to others.

Katherine's passionate approach to studies originates from a comfortable confidence in herself.   She thinks deeply, then moves into action.   She grapples with how to make an assignment or project her own, and from there her purposeful energy is boundless.   This depth and energy was apparent at the end of ninth grade.   She created an independent research project about phosphates in the local water, tested many sites, analyzed her results, taught herself PowerPoint, and presented her findings to a group of peers and staff members.   This project was the culminating point of a year's striving in our math/science curriculum.   She advanced to "junior" level classes a full year ahead of schedule. Because she exhausted our course offerings, this semester Katherine is enrolled in a Calculus course through at a local university, involving a lengthy commute from the suburbs.

Katherine has taken on numerous leadership roles within our school community, as you will see from her resume and application. Katherine has the natural ability and drive to master many different areas of study, and she has in fact excelled in all areas of our curriculum.   She makes the connections and sees the interrelationships. We find ourselves moved by another quality that shines through constantly, and that is her commitment to others.   What strikes me is the heart that she invests in all activities and her broad perspective.   She views activities as a means to an end, concerned with the influence the team's efforts and success will have on the participants and on our school's recognition within the larger community.

Teachers see her committed to learning, committed to doing her best.   She thinks hard about the way things work and does not stop until she has mastered the problems at hand, striving to grow and persevere with all assignments. She is also a good listener, which no doubt contributes both to her quick grasp of material and to the pleasure of others feel when working with her.   In addition, she is a loyal and trustworthy friend.

As a young woman who has taken the lead in many aspects of school life - academics, athletics, government, and service - Katherine has repeatedly demonstrated the depth of her maturity, her moral commitments, her trustworthiness, and her reliability.   She is a leader more by example and commitment than by an actual desire to lead.   She is gentle, soft-spoken, and good-humored and has a strong sense of integrity.

We enthusiastically recommend Katherine for admission to your program where we expect her to flourish in a community of talented and thoughtful students like herself.   Please feel free to contact me for any further information about this remarkable young woman.

Sincerely,

School Recommendation
Ellen Fareid

Ellen is an extremely intelligent young woman.  She is mature, poised and insightful.  We have seen much growth since the end of last year in the areas of work production and engagement in her studies. This had been a major issue for her, but since the spring she has been meeting her challenges head-on.

A young woman of many interests, Ellen is an avid reader and writer.  She puts much time and effort into her writing, and attended the Woodlock College summer program for creative writing last July.  She also participates in on-line edits and exchanges of work with others interested in fiction. Aside from writing, Ellen has been involved with various choirs and chorals since 5th grade, and often sings in church, community choirs and a cappella with friends.  She also exhibits strengths in math, is a tutor to younger students.  An independent-minded student, Ellen’s inquisitive nature leads her to do research outside of school if she wants to learn about something.  Her eyes and ears are open!

Teachers see Ellen as a student they can count on to ask really interesting questions. Her calm demeanor and her reflective, thoughtful nature are rare.  She has real depth and keen observation skills.. Although quiet in a group setting, she is observant and attentive. These qualities lay the foundation for her to continue to hone her skills as a powerful creative writer.  She is young woman of deep conviction, eagerly helps others with their work (in the past, often at her own expense!).  She is kind and embracing to others and has a sense of responsibility for the people in her life.

Ellen has learned from the issues she had with work-production last year and is moving forward toward creating a future in that will allow her to develop her interests.  She gets tremendous joy from writing, and is planning to work in publishing or editing in the future. I see her as a student that is now emerging in a sure-footed way into adulthood, and who will benefit from what your school has to offer. 

Please call me if you would like to discuss her candidacy in more detail.

Sincerely,