To the Virginia Rehabilitation Association Foundation:

I am presently entering my second semester at the University of Virginia and I am pleased to say that I had a good first semester. Again, I would like to thank the foundation for providing me with a scholarship for the school year. I was able to purchase many of my books and schools supplies. I think that this is a wonderful opportunity for any high school senior or college student who is fortunate enough to be selected.

Justin Alexander Pope
University of Virginia, Class of 2010

To the VRA Foundation Board,

This fall I entered the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia to receive a Master's degree in Teaching; I am training to be, and will receive licensure in Secondary school science education, with the hope of teaching Biology in high school. The VRA Foundation had already been very generous throughout my time as an undergraduate at UVA; their scholarship offering this time around was perhaps even more meaningful.

I received $500 this fall from the VRA foundation, and while there were many expenses to consider as I entered the semester, this sum was more than enough to pay for new books, supplies, and some miscellaneous expenditures, like joining a couple professional teaching organizations, and having money available for printing (a very necessary account).

Their contribution's significance comes not so much from what I was able to buy, but that it helped absorb the costs of the rest of school that my family and I would eventually have to pay. I have accepted a bit more financial responsibility for the expense of college this time around, and so it was a visceral relief to spend money that wasn't going to come out of my own savings account. I greatly appreciate the scholarship money, and I doubly appreciate the VRA foundation for making these funds available for students of all ages and needs.

Thanks again,
James (Jimmy) Green