Dear Donors,

With a strengthened writing hand, in the latter portion of my first semester, I write you this letter. Your generous donation has provided a tremendous feeling of relief and ease—allowing me to focus on writing and producing work. St. Mary’s has provided an enlightening space that promotes education, community, free thought, and spirit. This experience has far exceeded my already lofty expectations. 

I came out to California by way of Connecticut. A lifelong New Englander with a yearning to head west in search of fresh inspiration and new air. What I was looking for was stimulation, what I found was a family. The transition has been smooth due to the openhandedness of the faculty and staff in the program. An outstretched arm is always there when needed, helping me to make the most of the program. 

As an homage to the scholarship’s namesake I would be remiss to mention my own desire to be an educator. I hope to follow in Ms. Butler’s footsteps and attempt to live up to her looming legacy. Ms. Butler has set high expectations and I fully intend to meet and exceed them. The term “literary excellence” was used in the description of the scholarship, it is my obligation to exemplify this in my never ending pursuit to become the best writer, student, teacher, and person that I can be. This pursuit is dedicated to Ms. Butler, the Butler Endowment, and all the kind souls that support furthering education and the spread of literature. 

To quote one of Ms. Butler’s favorite authors Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions – the little, soon forgotten charities of a kiss or a smile, a kind look or heartfelt compliment.”

With Admiration,

David