Hello, my name is Ruby Alfaro I am a parent that had a daughter who went to Washington DC 2006 and Europe 2008. I also was honored to go to Europe with my daughter, Jolene, and the class of 2008. What KEEP means to me is how neat it is to have a foundation that helps young students from a low-income neighborhood go on such trips like this, to me it has help my daughter see that anything is possible to do and never give up on yourself. Now Jolene wants to spend a year or two studying in Amsterdam. I hope she does because I taught her that what ever she wants to do in her life make sure it what she wants not what people or family says. KEEP provided her scholarships that she earned through work at the school café and by meeting academic goals and getting good grades. I worked at the Bronco game for my daughter and myself. We also sold candy bars, sold dance tickets and fund raised other things during the year. Jolene also worked in the summer with Ms. Olson at a horse riding camp and earned money for working. Jolene also was involved in the school play where she earned more creidts for her trip. What could I really say about KEEP is that it really help kids find other things interesting by traveling and studying where they are going and what they are going to see. (more…)