Volume II| Issue IV
Message from our CEO

“Generosity is the beginning of Everything”

I recently had the opportunity to view the recent documentary, The Rescue (I highly recommend it). The movie provides details and footage of an unforgettable event in 2018 where the world literally came together to rescue 12 boys and their coach trapped in a flooded cave in Northern Thailand. The documentary kept me on the edge of my seat with incredible emotion not only in witnessing the peril of these young boys but also in the courageous compassion coming from individuals from all over the world who were brought together for one cause - to save those young lives. I was inspired, transfixed by the commitment and determination to work together against incredible odds. In the end I will never forget a powerful quote that has become my Mantra - Generosity is the beginning of EVERYTHING.  Indeed, generosity reminds me of another quote by Dean Zero, “Never underestimate the power of a single act of kindness. Your act may just be the added lift that someone needs to go from falling to flying (Lessons Learned from the Path Less Traveled).” 

We live in tumultuous times and hear about the increase in anger, hate, and violence and place it all on COVID. I would argue that we have been on this journey for many years and it has taken this pandemic for us to recognize we must do all we can to change the course of our lives. We must! I recall my Mother telling me “You only receive what you put out into the world.” She was not formally educated however my mother was a voracious reader with a strong love of her faith which she expressed in her kindness to others. When she passed we received many thank you cards from various organizations noting her monthly donations. She must have had at least three children she consistently supported in third world countries along with her 7 children and grandchildren. We were definitely not prepared for the number of people the mortuary informed us was a record attendance. Kindness, compassion and service for others served as her guide. She modeled this for so many.  My siblings and I were truly blessed with her spirit and inspirational words of wisdom that are weaved into the AGUILA curriculum.

It is her words and her spirit that are incorporated into what many would, at first sight, view as a typical college preparation program. However, it is much more and it is those lessons of generosity, compassion and service for others in AGUILA's learned and lived philosophy of Paying it Forward that contribute to the development of the leaders we know can change our course.  I invite you to meet some of those leaders and to join us in lifting them in flight. THIS is impact - The AGUILA Way.

From all of us at AGUILA
We wish you peace and joy this Holiday Season
and throughout the year.
Tips for Parents & Students!
Parent Tips: Strengthening relationships with your child.

One of Search Institute's current research-to-practice initiatives focuses on studying and strengthening the developmental relationships that help young people succeed. Developmental relationships are close connections through which young people develop the character strengths they need to grow up successfully.

Expressing care, challenging growth, providing support, sharing power and expanding possibilities are five elements that are associated with multiple character strengths, including motivation to learn and personal responsibility.

Here are 10 ideas from the Raising Kids with Care poster that can be used to build developmental relationships within your family.

1.     Listen to your child without always giving advice or opinions. 
 
2.     Ask for your child's opinion.
 
3.     Admit your mistakes and explain how you learn from them. 
 
4.     Attend parent-teacher conferences and other school events. 
 
5.     Set clear boundaries and expectations for your children. 
 
6.     Talk to your children the way you want them to talk to you.
 
7.     Ask other caring adults to spend time with your child.
 
8.     Ask your kids to help with planning a party or other event. 
 
9.     Compliment your kids on the good things they do. 
 
10.  Do volunteer work with your kids.

Source: Search Institute
Arizona Tax Credit
AGUILA IMPACT
Meet Diamond Zambrano, Esq.

Diamond Zambrano was raised in Mesa, Arizona, and is a 2011 Aguila Alumnae. She earned her J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 2020 and her B.A. in political science from the University of Pennsylvania in 2015. She is currently a commercial litigation attorney at Snell & Wilmer where she assists with internal investigations of private companies, white collar defense, and cybersecurity and data privacy. Before going to law school, she spent two years teaching first grade as a Teach for America corps member. She also is the first person in her family to graduate from college. Remembering to always “pay it forward,” Diamond regularly speaks to and mentors college students interested in attending law school and takes on pro bono cases, including consumer rights and immigration matters. 
 
Her advice to Aguilitas is to dream big and don’t underestimate the power of networking. “College opened the door to so many wonderful opportunities and experiences for me—studying abroad, interning for the Scottish Parliament, learning from amazing professors. But before Aguila, I didn’t even know what an ivy league school was or that it was accessible to me. Other people, like Mrs. H, showed me that I was capable of much more. I never could have imagined that I would be an attorney at the largest law firm in Arizona, but here I am. And it all started with me submitting an application to schools and opportunities I thought I would never get. 
 
As a professional, I’ve also seen the power of networking. It really opens the door to jobs and opportunities.  For those Aguila Alum that are in college, don’t be afraid to email Aguila Alum that are working for companies you like or have jobs you are interested in. Ask them to get coffee with you and tell you about their job. You would be surprised how many people want to help you and see you succeed. There are Aguila alum working at Meta (formally Facebook), Bloomberg, and attending amazing schools like Stanford Law. Leverage this network, and it will help you in the long run.”
APS Electric Light Parade
View AGUILA's Float at the 3:10 minute mark. Our dancing Penguin lead the way to a very fun night. We placed 2nd in the Non-profit category. Great Job and Thank you to all our Supporters. We could not have done this without you.
College Spotlight
Get To Know Coe

Coe College has been included in The Princeton Review’s 2021 edition of "Best Value Colleges" and earned a spot in the publication's elite list of Top 20 Best Schools for Internships.

Coe ranks 10th on the list among private colleges and is the only college or university in the state of Iowa to receive this distinction. Coe also was ranked 20th nationally for Best Alumni Network for private colleges.

Coe students are intelligent, active and involved. They are dedicated to applying themselves in many areas — academics, athletics, the arts and in life.
Students come from across the country and around the world to experience a Coe education. Sound like you? Apply today using the Coe College Application or the Common Application. Use the following links to access specialized application information if you are a transfer or international student.

To complete your application for admission, please send the following materials. Decisions will not be made regarding your application until the Office of Admission has received the following items:

  • Completed Coe College Application or Common Application
  • Official results of the SAT or ACT*
  • Official high school transcript
  • Admission recommendation (optional for students who meet Coe's minimum academic standards) 
  • Personal essay (optional for students who meet Coe's minimum academic standards)

*Test Optional Policy: Under Coe’s test-optional policy, ACT/SAT scores are not required for students applying for admission. The test-optional policy gives select students the option to decide if their standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) will be considered in the application review process. Students applying under the test-optional policy will still be considered for a Trustee Scholarship valued at $28,000 per year. Only students applying as first-year applicants with a 3.0 GPA or higher may choose to exclude their test score from the application process.

Admission Plans & Deadlines
  • Early Decision Plan - November 15 Deadline: This is a binding admission commitment for students who know Coe is their first choice. Students will receive an admission decision within two weeks of completing their application.
  • Early Action Plan - December 10 Deadline: This is a nonbinding admission plan. Students will receive an admission decision within two weeks of completing their application.
  • Regular Decision Plan - March 1 Deadline:This is a nonbinding admission plan.

**As a committed Educational Partner Coe offers a special AGUILA Scholarship of $2,500 per year for 4 years = $10,000.
Seuss-isms with Mrs. H
SEUSS-ISMS! - A guide to Life for Those Just Starting Out…and Those Already on Their Way.   Dr. Seuss 
                                                                                     
Search for Meaning
Then the Grinch thought of something he had not before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!"

Open Your Heart
And what happened then . . .?
Well . . . in Who-ville they say
The the Grinch's small heart
Grew three sizes that day!

--How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Monica's Gift of Zen
Giving Opportunities
You can help us make a difference in the lives of a growing number of students who aspire to create change through education. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and is tax-deductible.
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