Let's Support Aaron through Loyola University
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We would love to invite you to rally behind a young scholar who has overcome unimaginable adversity to get accepted into his dream university by donating to help cover the cost of his college education.
Aaron has worked incredibly hard throughout his high school career. He went above and beyond the typical academic load by taking advanced placement classes as well as completing credits at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Aaron participated in the Black Student Union, National Honor Society and basketball team.
Principal of Hiawatha Collegiate High School, Nicole Cooley, says “I haven’t met a student like Aaron before; he is wise, compassionate, resilient, and committed to improving our world. His future will be unbelievably bright!”
Aaron’s college counselor, Bryan Daley, says “In the past ten years I haven’t met a student like Aaron. His kindness is so authentic. His humility and warmth are so deep. I have no doubt that the world will be strengthened and made more whole by his future contributions.”
Aaron cares deeply about environmental justice and chose to spend the summer of his junior year in an immersive residential internship program on the North Shore of Minnesota. This internship focused on conservation, leadership, community building, and green career exploration.
In addition to his academic endeavors, Aaron worked throughout all four years of highschool, at times balancing two jobs at a time. Aaron has been a long-standing employee (and alumni) of DinoMights, a youth development program that is a part of the NHL’s “Hockey is for Everyone” initiative, making the sport accessible for historically underrepresented athletes. Aaron coaches, mentors and acts as an incredible role-model for the young people participating in the DinoMights program. When I reached out to James Fields, the DinoMights Site leader to ask for a few sentences about Aaron, I ended up being sent long paragraphs of reflections from multiple staff members. Everyone was so excited to share about who Aaron is. The following is a very condensed version of their collective observations:
“Aaron is a great mentor and a reliable leader on and off the ice. I can always give him extra kids or have him manage the more difficult activities knowing he will be successful regardless of the challenge”
“As a kid who grew up participating in DinoMights himself, Aaron models what is possible. Kids want to be like Aaron when they get older.”
“Aaron has a way of gaining the respect of others very easily and uses that respect to form meaningful relationships”
The summer before his senior year of high school, Aaron experienced a devastating loss when his brother was shot and killed by the police while experiencing a mental health crisis. All of a sudden, Aaron was forced to navigate the challenges of senior year while acutely grieving. The staff at Hiawatha Collegiate High School immediately stepped up and showered Aaron with love, guidance and encouragement. With their support, he managed to maintain his rigorous academic schedule, fulfill work obligations, complete college tours and apply to a long list of schools.
Loyola University quickly rose to the top of Aaron’s list. Aaron was drawn to their tight-knit campus community, location in the heart of Chicago, and renowned marketing program. He would light up when he talked about how he could already see himself studying in the campus library with floor-to-ceiling windows facing Lake Michigan.
Aaron has received a Dean’s scholarship and is committed to working his way through college in order to minimize the amount of debt he graduates with but we are hoping to gather some community support to send the message that he has a village who believes in him and is invested in his success. We want Aaron to know that he absolutely belongs at an institution like Loyola and are confident that the beautiful campus and community of learners will be a source of healing and growth for him. After a traumatic year, he is eager for the chance to be in a new environment and focus on building a meaningful path forward for himself. I can think of no greater investment than an investment in this young adult’s future and we will be infinitely grateful for whatever contribution you may be able to make.
With love and gratitude,
Aaron has worked incredibly hard throughout his high school career. He went above and beyond the typical academic load by taking advanced placement classes as well as completing credits at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Aaron participated in the Black Student Union, National Honor Society and basketball team.
Principal of Hiawatha Collegiate High School, Nicole Cooley, says “I haven’t met a student like Aaron before; he is wise, compassionate, resilient, and committed to improving our world. His future will be unbelievably bright!”
Aaron’s college counselor, Bryan Daley, says “In the past ten years I haven’t met a student like Aaron. His kindness is so authentic. His humility and warmth are so deep. I have no doubt that the world will be strengthened and made more whole by his future contributions.”
Aaron cares deeply about environmental justice and chose to spend the summer of his junior year in an immersive residential internship program on the North Shore of Minnesota. This internship focused on conservation, leadership, community building, and green career exploration.
In addition to his academic endeavors, Aaron worked throughout all four years of highschool, at times balancing two jobs at a time. Aaron has been a long-standing employee (and alumni) of DinoMights, a youth development program that is a part of the NHL’s “Hockey is for Everyone” initiative, making the sport accessible for historically underrepresented athletes. Aaron coaches, mentors and acts as an incredible role-model for the young people participating in the DinoMights program. When I reached out to James Fields, the DinoMights Site leader to ask for a few sentences about Aaron, I ended up being sent long paragraphs of reflections from multiple staff members. Everyone was so excited to share about who Aaron is. The following is a very condensed version of their collective observations:
“Aaron is a great mentor and a reliable leader on and off the ice. I can always give him extra kids or have him manage the more difficult activities knowing he will be successful regardless of the challenge”
“As a kid who grew up participating in DinoMights himself, Aaron models what is possible. Kids want to be like Aaron when they get older.”
“Aaron has a way of gaining the respect of others very easily and uses that respect to form meaningful relationships”
The summer before his senior year of high school, Aaron experienced a devastating loss when his brother was shot and killed by the police while experiencing a mental health crisis. All of a sudden, Aaron was forced to navigate the challenges of senior year while acutely grieving. The staff at Hiawatha Collegiate High School immediately stepped up and showered Aaron with love, guidance and encouragement. With their support, he managed to maintain his rigorous academic schedule, fulfill work obligations, complete college tours and apply to a long list of schools.
Loyola University quickly rose to the top of Aaron’s list. Aaron was drawn to their tight-knit campus community, location in the heart of Chicago, and renowned marketing program. He would light up when he talked about how he could already see himself studying in the campus library with floor-to-ceiling windows facing Lake Michigan.
Aaron has received a Dean’s scholarship and is committed to working his way through college in order to minimize the amount of debt he graduates with but we are hoping to gather some community support to send the message that he has a village who believes in him and is invested in his success. We want Aaron to know that he absolutely belongs at an institution like Loyola and are confident that the beautiful campus and community of learners will be a source of healing and growth for him. After a traumatic year, he is eager for the chance to be in a new environment and focus on building a meaningful path forward for himself. I can think of no greater investment than an investment in this young adult’s future and we will be infinitely grateful for whatever contribution you may be able to make.
With love and gratitude,
Organizer and beneficiary
KELSEY ROMERO
Organizer
Burnsville, MN
Aaron Sundberg
Beneficiary