Alliyah Xaybanha

In 2017, I was part of a program called College Possible where Julie was the Executive Director at the time. I was a senior in high school about to go off to college. I was fortunate enough to be accepted to my dream school, Seattle University, a medium size private school on Capitol Hill. As a low income, first-generation, Asian-American queer student, this meant everything to me. For many people of my identities college is a huge dream and a goal that sometimes feels impossible.

When I met Julie, we talked for hours about life and college. I really enjoyed her company. She did the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. She donated to my college fund. When she called me to tell me that, I couldn’t believe anyone would do that without some sort of “attachment” to it but she said no attachment. She told me she believed in me and she was investing in me. I was so touched by her kindness and her compassion. Her donation eased the financial gap and it much more possible for me to go to my dream school. Although I worked really hard to pay for schooll, She made it possible for me to breathe just a little bit in college. While In college, we’d talk once or twice a year and she’’d always ask how I was doing and if there was anything she could do to help me. Honestly just her conversations alone helped me. I really enjoyed talking to her and I wish I had tried harder to stay in touch. Julie, I am so so grateful for everything you’ve done for me and I hope to continue to make you proud and show that your “investment” in me was worth it