When a student has the right motivation and support, he can accomplish much and go far. That is just what Sam Colella is doing. And, he’s close to his original goal—and he has a new goal.
A seventh grader at Bryant Montessori School, Sam was nominated to go to France, Italy and Greece as a student ambassador with People to People last September. He was very excited about the program and told his mom, Kim Ebert-Colella, that he really wanted to do this.
When she remarked that it cost a lot of money. He said, “I know, Mom. It’s more than $6,000!”
When she asked, “Sam, how are you going to make that happen?” He replied, “Mom, if I raise $5,000, will you and dad help me with the rest?”
With his parent’s support, Sam completed his application and interview, and by November was accepted into the program. Upon his acceptance, Sam began selling cards that he had designed using his photographs, most of which he took at Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Sam created four sets: Wild Animals, Water Animals, Birds and Nature. Each set includes eight different cards that reveal Sam’s love of nature and animals.
To reach his goal of raising $5,000 for his trip and pay for his supplies, Sam needs to sell 375 sets. To date, he has sold 371 sets.
Reaching this goal has come with consistent work. Each week Sam, his mom, his neighbor and her grandson spend at least one day making cards. Each weekend, his neighbor takes Sam to different neighborhoods, and Sam goes door to door sharing his story and selling his cards.
With his goal within reach, Sam has now set a new goal. Sam’s mom recently had to have surgery on her thumb from a skiing injury and her arm is in a cast. When Sam heard she needed to have surgery and that she would be unable to work as a self-employed massage therapist for a month, he told her, “OK, Mom, I only have a few sets left to sell. When I am done, I am going to just keep going, so you and dad don’t have to worry about your $1,000 for my trip, I will raise it all.”
That’s one enterprising, determined—and caring--young fellow.
Help Sam reach his original and new goals and be able to go to France, Italy and Greece this summer with the People to People program. Purchase a card set or more. Check out Sam’s nature and animal cards on his Facebook page or contact him at samc@nventure.com.