Dear Friends and Family,

I am proud to announce that I have recently been accepted as a member of The Academy Drum & Bugle Corps,

and that I will be performing with them from coast-to-coast in the DCI Summer Music Games this coming

summer. This corps placed 13th in the world last year and will be again competing in the top World Class

Division in over 20 shows. Nearly 300 students from 12 states attended auditions in December!

If you are not familiar with Drum Corps International, you should know that their crowning achievement for

over 30 years has been the unparalleled experience provided by The Summer Music Games to young students

from across the globe. The activity provides life-enhancing, character-building experiences derived from

personal commitment, discipline, teamwork, and the exhilaration of athletic achievement and the pure joy of

learning and performing before thousands of cheering fans.

I began training with The Academy the first week of January. The regimen involves a commitment of several

weekend rehearsals each month in the Tempe area throughout the spring. In June more intensive all-day

rehearsals and performances begin with only a few days off to rest. It is a demanding path requiring participants

to train to their peak physical condition. This year the corps will be spending 37 days and nearly 12,000 miles

traveling on busses, sleeping on gym floors, and competing all over the United States in Arizona, California,

New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, West Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania,

Ohio, and ending at World Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. It’s an amazing opportunity.

In order to participate, members must pledge to pay for up to $2,075 in tuition and fees for the season – which

brings me to the reason for my letter. I am writing to ask for your help. Would you sponsor my participation in

The Academy by making a tax-deductible donation to the organization on my behalf? I am asking for your Sponsorship of $50.00

and 100% of your donation will directly offset my tuition requirements. If you are able to help, please use the "Buy Now" link at the top of the page. You donation will be sent directly to The Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts with your name, address, and donation amount.  You will later receive a letter with your donation information making it tax deductable.  Also make sure that your address is correct in PayPal so that AAPA can mail you a thank you note for your records.

The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps is a program of the Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts (AAPA), a

non-profit organization whose mission is “building great people through great performances”. AAPA’s

executive director Mark Richardson has approved this letter. If you have any questions or comments about The

Academy, or my request, you can reach Mark at 480-838-4203 or e-mail: mark@arizonaacademy.org. You can

also get more information at www.arizonaacademy.org

Thank you in advance for your support!

Sincerely,

Kristen Fisher

Silver City, NM

Member of The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, 2008

NOTE: Your contribution will be withdrawn from my PayPal account and sent directly to the AZ Academy of the Performing Arts using the forms provided by them, since a direct PayPal payment to them is not available. If you have any questions, please e-mail me using the e-bay "ask seller a question" link.