December 16, 2008
To Whom it May Concern:
It is my great pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Sophie Gilbert. I have been her science and math teacher for the past two school years. I am also the college counselor here at Jefferson Community School.
Let me begin by saying that Sophie is one of the most creative students I have ever known. I served as faculty advisor for her independent study in photography. I am a photographer myself and have taught photography in the past. Sophie has an amazing gift with photography. She has a wonderfully astute eye for what makes a great picture. Her sense of light, composition, depth of field, contrast, etc. is remarkably advanced for someone her age…of any age! I have seen her entire portfolio and I am amazed by how many of her photographs catch my eye and move me.
Sophie has other gifts as well. First and foremost are her leadership skills. She is not afraid to speak out and say what she thinks. She is not afraid to lead a group of students with her words and with her actions. Recently, during an all student meeting that was clearly floundering, Sophie took charge, got the students organized, and helped them come up with and record their suggestions for making our school a better place.
Sophie has taken on the plight of the homeless in Port Townsend as her senior “capstone” project. She helped organize a food drive in our school and an outreach project in the downtown community. Sophie cares deeply about the problems of others and she is always looking for ways she can help her friends and the community as a whole.
Sophie has great insight into the great social problems that face us today. She reaches out to everyone, regardless of their racial or cultural background. Her willingness to do the things that it takes to effect change is beautiful to see. But what I like best about Sophie is her passion and motivation to pursue her photography, her acting, and her social action projects. I can recommend Sophie Gilbert to any educational institution without reservation!
Sincerely,
David M Miller
davenpie54@msn.com
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Matt Wallace
170 Mount Constance Way
Port Ludlow, WA 98365
December 16, 2008
Cornish College of the Arts
1000 Lenora Street
Seattle, WA 98121
To Whom It May Concern:
I write in praise of a remarkable young woman . . . Sophie Gilbert. I don’t use the word remarkable idly. It has been my privilege to know her and experience her passion, her enthusiasm, her thirst for knowledge, and her compassion for others. Sophie possesses all of this and more. She has an incredible sense of balance and fairness in all that she attempts.
My career in marketing and advertising allowed me the opportunity to work with and support many incredibly talented creative people. Now retired, I have seized an opportunity to expand my personal horizons with the participation in a local community video production group. I met Sophie when casting roles in our second feature length movie. We were delighted that Sophie committed to her role. Although the youngest cast member, her punctuality and preparation were without equal.
During the filming of the production we saw her love of photography, her quest to know more, and her desire to learn. Sophie’s innate understanding of composition and content will only improve with experience and education in her craft. You can bring this raw talent to its full potential with the extension of an opportunity for her to study, learn, train, and grow at your institution.
Sophie is a talent to be cherished and nurtured. I know that I, someday, will see her works in an exhibit of prominence. Cornish College is in the position of helping Sophie pursue her dreams. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Matt Wallace
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Jefferson Community School
280 Quincy Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368
360.385.0622
Cornish College of the Arts
1000 Lenora Street
Seattle, WA 98121
Attention: Office of Admission
December 10, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Sophie Gilbert, a bright, articulate young woman who has been a vital member of Jefferson Community School (JCS) since its inception.
Sophie is an excellent student, natural leader and outstanding public speaker who motivates others through her energy and enthusiasm. Passionate about social injustice, she uses her myriad skills to address these issues in on organized, focused manner. Her recent project citing poverty's impact on our local community includes an action plan involving all JCS students and provides a perfect venue for her many talents.
Sophie's potential is unlimited, as her art work indicates. Using photographs as her medium, she combines her creative skills with a keen understanding of her subjects in a unique, thoughtful manner. She is extremely serious about her art and has managed this semester's independent study photography project in a most professional, independent manner.
Cormish College of the Arts is an ideal environment for Sophie, who is constantly looking for a challenge that enables her to use her numerous assets in a meaningful, connected way. While Sophie's passion, talent, energy and commitment will be an asset to any creative environment, I believe Cornish and Sophie alike will be especially well-served by an academic partnership.
I encourage you to give every consideration to her request for admission. You can't go wrong!
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Maguire, Humanities Instructor
Jefferson Community School
jcs@olympus.net