 To Dr. Anthony Chow, Dr. Linda Main, Dr. Mary Bowlin, Dr. Mary Ann Harlan, the Student Award and Scholarship Committee, and to all the School of Information faculty, my name is Kendra Safie, and I'm just starting this new chapter in my education in San Jose State's MLIS program. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for making this special session scholarship for new students possible. I was thrilled to learn of my selection for this honor, and I am deeply appreciative of your support. Thank you so much. In my current role as a library technician at the Santa Barbara Public Library, I've not only found a place where I can put my skills to good use to support the community, but also I have truly found my calling. The lessons I learned from San Jose State are ones that I plan to put to use right away in my current work, be that helping young patrons find the perfect book or coordinating our literacy tutoring program, OG Readers. The work that I've done to assist struggling young readers in the OG Readers program has fueled my desire to further my studies, since I've learned so much about the science of reading and the barriers that many students face, and see now more than ever the role that librarians can play in helping students and families meet their literacy needs. I have always loved to read, so to be able to share that love and teach volunteers the skills that they need to help students in our community reach their grade level goals has been one of my greatest professional experiences. The financial assistance from the scholarship will allow me to work toward my goal of becoming a children's librarian, while greatly decreasing my financial concerns as a full-time library worker and as a part-time student. Thank you again so much for your generosity and support. I look forward to my studies in the MLIS program and having the financial support to get through graduate school will motivate me even more. Your earnest investment in my future goals will not be forgotten. Sending you much gratitude.