Dear Sponsor,
My name is Maya Welch and I am a junior here at Link. I am from the wonderfully small town of Buena Vista, Colorado, and have lived here my whole life. BV is known for the immense amount of outdoor activities that are available to all outdoor enthusiasts, including: rafting, climbing, hiking, skiing, and more. Being raised in BV, I learned to love and admire the outdoors at a very young age. My family constantly took us outside to just enjoy ourselves. I consider myself a very academic person, but the thought of spending five days a week inside a classroom for six to eight hours was always a terrible thought. When I found out about Link and that I had an opportunity to go there for my freshman year, I immediately said yes to it, knowing it was the right decision for me. Ever since I have not regretted my decision.
There are so many different meaningful things to me here at the Link School. One of them is all the trips that we get to go on. This year, there were a total of 10 trips that we got to do. We have been to Baja, Mexico; Denver, Colorado; Dalhart, Texas; Cochise Stronghold, Arizona; Boise City, Oklahoma; and of course, Link’s favorite, Moab, Utah. On each trip we do an outdoor activity that is either boating, biking, or climbing. Here at Link, these activities are normal and day to day, so when new students come in, I often realize how unique and special each activity and trip is. Many of the things that we get to do here are once in a lifetime for so many people. It’s hard to believe that though when you attend Link and do them often. When we go on trips as well, we learn so many new life skills. One that is very meaningful to me is connecting and talking with people face to face. In my generation, it is very common for communication to be by electronics and this makes it very easy to always be on phones or other devices. But when we are on a trip in the wilderness, we all interact, talk, and laugh with each other, and we learn how to do so without using anything electronic. This means that it is easier for me to put my phone down and talk with the people around me when I am back home or with other friends.
The Link School has changed me in so many different ways for the three years that I’ve been here. One thing that has changed about me is my spirituality. From second to eighth grade, I attended a small Christian school in my town. There we studied the Bible, and they told me what I should believe. However, I did not like what they told me to believe, and it made it hard for me to have any sense of my spirituality. This year has changed that immensely. As I started to learn more about Christian Science, I started to connect with a lot of the ideas that are practiced, and I started using them myself, thus strengthening my connection with God. Recently, we were on a week-long desert rafting trip in Utah in Desolation Canyon. One of the first days of the trip, I started to feel sick to the point where I couldn’t paddle. Due to this, I was put in one of our oar boats so that I could lay down. While laying down, one of the staff members told me that progress is the law of God. As I lay there thinking about that, I realized that if that is God’s law, then I was only going to get better from that point. For the rest of the trip, I felt completely healed and was able to enjoy the rest of the trip.
I want to thank you for donating to this school for giving me and the rest of us this once in a lifetime experience. If it weren’t for your generosity, I would be sitting in a traditional classroom right now doing school work, instead of sitting here typing this to show my infinite gratitude to someone who changed my life. So, thank you for your donations so that this school can continue to teach, create, and inspire more students to come.
Much Gratitude,
Maya Welch
Dear Sponsor,
I want to thank you in this letter for your kindness and generosity. I am Isaac Saucedo and I live in Buena Vista, Colorado. I have lived here since I was a 1-year-old. I love it here, but what made my life better for living here in Buena Vista is having the greatest school – The Link School. I love being in the wilderness, and my dad does too. I have been kayaking, rock climbing, bouldering, skiing, and many more activities that nature has provided me with. My dad and mom wanted me to come to this school because they wanted a good opportunity to grow and to be close to my best friend Casius.
There are many wonderful things that I have found this year at Link, like finding Christian Science. There are many new things that I have not done in nature sports, even though I have been in nature sports for a long time. Now because I am here, I love learning even more. I now want to learn many languages, even the hardest ones like Mandarin. I do know Spanish because I have grown up with my Mexican family, and of course I know English. Furthermore, I have been more spiritually connected while at Link and I want to be more connected to God thanks to you. Everyone is my friend here. I have learned many things that I love doing here at Link, like rock climbing, skiing, and kayaking. I am very grateful to be here because of how much I have changed. In the beginning the workloads were stressful, but I have learned how to manage it and that technology is something that I should quit because there are other important things to do. Now I have even more hobbies that I can work on like realistic art. I have also changed my religion because before, I wanted to be a Catholic, and now I am a Christian Scientist. I love reading books and that was a big change because I did not like reading books at all. They felt like they were useless, but when I found the true meaning of books, they made me more delighted and inspired. Finally, I have changed my kindness because before, I was kind, but not as kind as right now. I now have a dream of helping people, also because of the book called Chicken Soup for the Soul, and because of God himself. As you can see, I am a very different person since I have come to Link and I love being here. I love your kindness and I wish to be just like you.
Thank you so much,
Sincerely from Isaac Saucedo.
Dear Sponsor,
My name is Josh Holser, I am a sophomore here at The Link School. I am from the busy city of St. Louis Missouri, where I have lived for 7 years of my life. I moved from the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon when I was 10. Before coming to The Link School I attended The Principia. I found that it wasn’t the right fit for me, so I left and looked at new schools. My parents heard about The Link School through some people at Prin and so I decided to come to Link.
Here at Link, I have found that I have grown in so many ways. I have been genuinely challenged in school and I have also been challenged in my knowledge of outdoor activities and my physical and mental capabilities. Being challenged in these ways has helped me see who I truly am and the person that I truly want to become. I love the trips that we go on here, they offer so much adventure, learning, and growth opportunities. The trips at The Link School are truly something to be grateful for because I don’t know anyone else who gets to learn science out on a beach in Baja, Mexico!
I have gotten to meet some great new people while being here. People who genuinely care about my progress and success in the world. I think what has changed me the most is the push to be a better student and all the time we spend on Christian Science along with all the personal writing time that we have. I have found that the more I practice writing and getting my thoughts put onto paper, the calmer that I get. I feel more clear headed and I don’t get frustrated as much as I used to. I also feel like the push to do better in school, it has taught me how to manage my time better. This has translated into other parts of my life and has just made things a whole lot smoother for me in general. There is so much to be grateful for here, so much good is always happening. Along with all the learning and growth that is taking place.
Lastly, I want to say thank you so much for all the energy, time, and money that you put into this school so that my friends and I can have these experiences and learning moments. It truly means the world to me to be able to be who I truly am in a place that supports it as well.
Thank you,
Josh
Dear Sponsor,
I would like to start this letter off with gratitude, for all of your contribution and support, that has made it possible for me to attend The Link School. I am truly very grateful, and your support and donation mean a lot to me, and my family. My name is Sonya Stewart, I’m from Durango Colorado, a ski town nestled in the beautiful Rockies. This is my second year here at The Link School. Link is such a magical opportunity and I feel very blessed to have had this experienced in my life. It is truly so special to be able to come here.
At Link, we do a wide variety of things, such as: climbing, skiing, hiking, boating, projects and so much more. I think, all of these different aspects of Link combine, to make a very well-rounded experience. What I have found true value in, was the international trip to Baja California Sur. We did so many things while we were there, including circumnavigating an entire island in sea kayaks. It was an amazing time to connect with the community, and experience a whole different country with all of these special people. Truly, it was amazing. In my first sponsorship letter, I mentioned how valuable the spiritual growth, and spiritual seeking aspect of Link means to me. Now, as the second semester has come to an end, and we are reflecting a lot on our growth this year, I am thinking about that again. I entered the year, not sure of where my relationship with God really stood, or how I felt about Christian Science. However, this year through so many different challenges I have become so close to God. I have experienced instantaneous healing of fear, and self-doubt. It has been so incredible, to get closer to God this year. The staff here at Link, have also supported, and encouraged my spiritual growth. They are all wonderful examples of how having a strong relationship with God blesses everyone. Constantly, there are metaphysical and spiritual thoughts being shared from staff to students, or vice versa and it is very meaningful.
In public school, I never have much of a community. It is the exact opposite at Link. Here, you grow extremely close to people, you spend most of your waking moments with them. At Link, I have made lifelong friends, and gotten to experience such a strong sense of community. What makes this community so strong, is all the time spent together, working together, and relying on each other. It is beautiful to watch people grow and change, and be there for the best days, and the days they need more support. It is so amazing to take inspiration from these people, and see them not only as your friends, but also as role models. I have valued and treasured that experience.
Another thing, that separates Link so vastly from other schools is the academics. Class sizes are much smaller, and our teachers really take the time to make sure we fully understand the topic and are engaged in it completely. Before this year, I struggled with school, and found it to be very bland, I found it to be just another thing. Every day at public school was like slogging through mud, with no variety or change. Always the same old, same old. At Link, however, is it always interesting and engaging. This year I have found academics to be just the right amount of challenging, and just the right amount of fun. I am so grateful for Link for changing my personal experience with academics. I also love getting to experience academics in the outdoors. Writing on a beach in Baja, or having a science lesson on our bike trip, getting to learn real world things and gaining education, from and in nature is very special. I am so glad I got to experience this version of learning.
At the time I am writing this, we are wrapping up things, preparing for graduation and packing to go home. I think that the mood is bittersweet, we are excited to see the seniors graduate, and to also begin new chapters in our own lives as we go on more adventures this summer. At least I am. I am so excited to take all that Link has taught me, into the real world. I am forever grateful to the Link School, and to you for donating, and supporting all the adventures we got to go on this year. They never would have been possible without you, and your selfless love for all of us here.
Sincerely,
Sonya Stewart
Dear Sponsor,
My name is Sage Fleener, I am an 18 year old senior here at Link, and I’m from Petaluma California. I do not have a lot of background in Christian Science, but I do like a few of its ideas. I’m a very adventurous person, who grew up loving the outdoors. I love climbing, fishing and boating. I also love basketball. I’m very physically active, and love spending time around rivers, lakes and beaches. I’m very close to my family, consisting of my Mom, Dad, my two cats Hemmi and Sky, and a few fish in a fish tank. I also have a great following of friends, all of which still reside in California. I look forward to graduation, so I can see them again.
One of the many things I found meaningful at Link was learning how to ski. Before Link, skiing was something I never thought I’d do. But then winter came, and I started learning. Now, I’m very excited for next winter so I can get back to it. I also learned how to live by myself more. Before Link, I was kind of a homeboy, meaning I didn’t like being away from home for long periods of time. Then, I went to Link, and I kind of grew up a little bit. I also learned how to deepen social connections with people. It wasn’t always easy, but I managed to make good friends and connections with this community.
I had to kind of change my mind set about hard work when I joined The Link School. Before I came out to Link, I had everything done for me, and I had no reason to put myself in discomfort, or do work I deemed unnecessary. But at Link, I realized, “oh. I actually gotta fold my clothes, do my dishes, and make my bed. Nobody else is gonna do it for me or help me with it, so I guess I better get onto it.” And that helped me start wondering how else I could help the community, whether it was washing someone else’s dishes as well as my own, or sweeping and mopping the floor, I had chores that weren’t going to be done for me and also wouldn’t do themselves. I had to own up to my mistakes more. At home, if I made a mistake, it didn’t really matter too much. I would just say “ah well, it is what it is.” But at Link, I had to own up and fix the mistakes I made, because otherwise other people would have to deal with it for me, and then I would look like a bad friend.
I would just like to give you a big thank you for all of your support, and donations. Without you, I would not have learned to ski, boulder, and speak half as much Spanish as I learned here. I also learned how to be a better friend, a harder worker, and overall, a better, stronger person. Without your support, I would not be graduating this week, and none of the amazing trips I went on would be possible. So again, I deeply thank you for everything you have donated, whether it be time or money, I very much appreciate your love and support. Thank you so much
My best wishes,
Sage E. Fleener
Dear Sponsor,
My name is Casius Orlet. I am from Buena Vista Colorado; I have lived here for my entire life. I moved from Adventure Unlimited to The Link School and I have lived here. ever since. Christian Science is a big part of my life. Always has been, always will be. I grew up in a very deeply spiritual family, so it came naturally to understand God’s limitless capabilities. I have wanted to go to Link ever since we moved. It’s been one of my biggest dreams and now I’m here.
The most meaningful thing here at Link by far are my peers, there is just so much support and laughter. You can’t turn a corner without laughing. Everyone has really grown as a person this year by coming to Link. Early on we were all a little shy and could get grouchy with each other. But now we have all learned to really be in the moment and always working to keep a positive attitude.
The thing that has changed me most here at Link is the ability to be around such a selfless group of staff that have inspired me to put people first. Which in turn feels really good. The teachers have also impacted my day-to-day life. With their constant wanting to help and taking time out of their day to help us with the subject. I want to thank you with my whole heart for helping me be able to be a part of this amazing community and make my lifelong dream come true.
Sincerely
Casius Orlet
Howdy y’all,
I’m Connor Rutledge. I hail from Nevada or Florida depending on the time of the year, or which family I want to visit. I’m a sculptor of 11 years, and I’m a prop artist of 3. I am an avid nerd who makes it other people’s problem, and I shall never be ashamed of that.
I find that the small quiet moments at Link are the most meaningful to me. The moments I get alone to think to myself, between classes, or between activities. Those small moments where I can let my creative desires flow help me feel absolutely alive, and they help me find joy in the activities. The days we aren’t fully filling our schedules out and leaving time for quiet reflection means the world and beyond to me, and I can’t be more thankful for them.
I’ve been attending Link for all 4 years of high school, and it was the best decision I could have made. When I entered this school, I was an annoying, self-centered, angry, and all around unlikeable student. Through all 4 years of attendance, the staff here have been eternally patient with me, even when I didn’t deserve it. The staff and the school itself have been teaching me to accept my flaws and move past them, to appreciate the beauty of the world around me and respect that beauty. I have become a much more levelheaded and logical person, and I have no one but the Link staff to thank. I’ve learned to love and respect myself, and this in turn has improved my art vastly, more than I could have ever achieved through my previous mindset. This school has put me on the path of betterment, and I plan to keep walking down that path for all my years to come. I cannot be more thankful for this school, and I cannot be more thankful for you all helping this school be a reality. I hope you all have a blessed day and I hope you all have a fantastic life.
With greatest regards- Connor Rutledge.
Dear Sponsor,
My name is Brianna King, but I am most prominently called Bri here, though the people here love to make my name into any kind of pun, such as Bri’s way (after monarch’s Breezeway ski run) or Bri-lay instead of a belay while climbing, to paint a fraction of the picture for you. I am from San Diego, and I came to Link mid semester in the Fall to switch up from my normal life. I enjoyed my old school, all the people there, and my family so much. I could not imagine a life without the ocean, I spent most of my days there when I didn’t have practice or bigger responsibilities to take care of. I eventually became bored of this predictable and comfortable life, and I was ready for a change. Though I never would have imagined leaving all my best friends for my senior year to go to a place I knew little about, a part of me knew I would regret it if I didn’t go, and I can safely say now that I do not regret it one bit.
When I first visited Link, James apparently told the kids to act normal, so naturally they acted the weirdest way they possibly could, and even though I thought it was a little strange, it showed me just how much you can be yourself here. When I moved in, I moved into a community that was already formed, but I felt welcomed by each person and could feel that they were genuinely happy I was there. Within my first week, I was belting and headbanging to Bohemian Rhapsody with someone who is now my close friend. I love the downtime that we have here at Basecamp, with time to hang out with puzzles and jokes and that I still have time to myself to focus on my paintings or call my loved ones.
Another part about Link that I love are all the challenges and activities that we get to do. Here I have picked up hobbies that I want to continue forever, like climbing, skiing and kayaking. I have always loved the outdoors, but I didn’t have the resources besides a surfboard to get out to the natural environment. I had never done any of these things before coming to Link, and now I feel like I can’t live without them. I have loved putting in all the time and effort this year to make significant progress in my ability in these sports. It is also so cool that we get to have about a week or so pretty much every month to focus on particular sports, like climbing or biking. We make lasting memories with these trips, and so many inside jokes are constantly brought up around the lodge. I have been to so many places and done so many things that I never would have done without being here and I am forever grateful for those trips.
An additional part of Link that is special to me is the small classroom environments. At a big public school, it was easy to coast by without participating and still get an A in the class. But here, I have to participate in my small classes, and I have become way more engaged and interested in the subjects that my teachers are passionate about. I have become the student I had always wanted to be. Also, because most of my teachers are also program staff, I get to know them well in and out of the classroom, which is special to feel those connections with teachers as friends. I am excited to continue my education in college to keep learning all that I can for the next four years.
My perspective on life, in general, has definitely changed while being at Link. Before Link, I never tried to limit myself with something that seemed too hard, but that is always hard to do when you’re on your own. I was successful most of the time with my ambitions, mostly with some support here and there from others, but a lot of it felt like luck. At Link, I have constant supporters who are always here for me. Whether it is students or staff, we are always building each other up and celebrating our successes as individuals or as groups. Nothing felt better than circum-navigating those islands in Baja together!
I am also a more confident person than I have been in the past. I kind of always felt that in Southern California there was so much superficiality and that it was very normal in high school, but at Link students don’t care about what clothes you wear or how good you look at every moment, they care about how kind of a person you are and how you can contribute to the group. I am very grateful that I have gotten to find that there is more to life than looks and what is on the outside.
Thank you so much for sponsoring The Link School. It means so much to me that I am able to be here, and that people I don’t even know are willing to donate to make it possible for me. This is an incredible organization that I am forever grateful for, and I feel like I will be a part of this community forever. I wish every kid everywhere could get an education like this one. You have definitely made a change in my life that I never imagined but am so grateful it happened.
Lots and lots of love,
Bri
Dear sponsor,
Greetings from another fantastic year at The Link School! My name is Bridger Hinchman, a first year Junior at Link. I was originally born in Charlevoix Michigan in early January, and I’m now living with my parents in Elsah, Illinois. When school’s not in session, that is.
Something that not many people know about my time here at Link is that I came here with barely any knowledge that only my mom had given me about the school and what they do. Only looking at the website on my own, and doing research more into it, that was truly what made me decide to come here. And I can safely say that I don’t regret one cent of it. Being at Link this year has taught me so many amazing things, and I’m glad that I could get to be a part of this year’s learning class. As you may/may not know, some of the activities that we get to do here at school include, but are not limited to, boot hockey, soccer, rock climbing, rafting, snow sports, and Bernie ball. If you’ve never heard of Bernie ball before, it’s a game that one of our Mexico guides, Bernardo, made up and taught to us, and now we have since adapted it as an amazing game that everyone is very excited to play. Another great thing about school that has made me both come here this year, and want to come again for the next, is all the amazing friends that you get to make. Not only your classmates, but your teachers and other staff as well. At Link, it feels like a true, tight-knit community, where everyone knows everyone very well, and if not, they get to know one-another during the school year. Trips are an awesome time where we can do that, also! When we’re out and about in the backcountry, oftentimes we don’t have any technology with us, so it’s a perfect time to ask some questions with your friends and get to know some things that you might’ve thought you knew about them, but their answer could be completely different than what you had thought it was.
Not many students in the world get to have experiences like this in their high schools, and thanks to your generosity, you’ve made that possible for us! I think I can speak for all of the students here when I say that we couldn’t have had a more fun experience without the help from people like yourself!
One last thing that I would like to say is that even though this was my first year here, it’s not my last, and I’ve learned a lot from my first experience of being here. Something that I’m going to take forward with me both to my camp job this summer in the roasting-blazes of Missouri, and with my general life, is being open to try new experiences that may feel a little bit out of my comfort zone, but only going outside of that zone is how you grow it. It’s true that in the past, I’ve been scared to grow my own. Now that I’m being put in a leadership position more and more, I now have the responsibility of taking that and passing it down to those who may come after me and may just need that little extra push of encouragement.
Sponsor, I would just like to say one more time, thank you for all that you have given to The Link School! Thanks to your generosity, and the wonderful generosity of others, you’ve made what I’ve described above a true reality beyond what seems possible from the beginning, but now, I’m sitting here, writing to you, from that exact place.
Sincerely,
Bridger Hinchman