Rotherham teen's Princeton dream

Seventeen-year-old Lola Sanderson says its an opportunity she hopes will be a stepping stone towards a brighter future.

Lola has already dedicated countless hours to volunteering within her local community. Through her involvement with Girlguiding, she has supported numerous local events, including volunteering at the recent RHS Flower Show at Wentworth Woodhouse, where she helped visitors and contributed to the success of one of the region's biggest community events.

Despite facing significant personal challenges, Lola has remained determined to make the most of every opportunity available to her. Her commitment to education, volunteering, and personal development has now led to an extraordinary achievement: acceptance onto a world-renowned summer programme at Princeton University.

The inspiration to pursue opportunities in the United States came from an unexpected encounter while volunteering at Wentworth Woodhouse.

During the RHS Flower Show, she was invited to take part in an American podcast. Speaking with people from across the Atlantic opened her eyes to new possibilities and sparked a curiosity about studying in America and experiencing a different educational culture.

"It made me realise how many opportunities exist beyond what I had imagined for myself," she said. "That conversation planted a seed and encouraged me to think bigger about my future, and in the past year, the dream to study in the USA has continued to grow."

Teachers at her school have played a vital role in helping her believe that those ambitions are achievable. Their encouragement, guidance, and belief in her potential gave her the confidence to apply for opportunities she might otherwise have thought were beyond reach.

Now, she has the chance to spend time learning from leading academics, studying alongside students from around the world, and experiencing life at one of the world's most prestigious universities. However, attending comes at a high cost. Programme fees, flights, insurance, and travel expenses amount to thousands of pounds, creating a major financial barrier. 

For Lola, this is about far more than a summer school.

"This opportunity represents everything I've worked towards. It's proof that your circumstances don't have to define your future. I want to show other young people facing challenges that there are opportunities out there, and that it's worth believing in yourself even when the path isn't easy."

She is now seeking support from local businesses, charities, community groups, and members of the public to help make the opportunity possible. Those who wish to support her journey can donate through her fundraising page or share her story.

For Lola, Princeton is not simply a destination. It is a chance to turn years of resilience, hard work, and community service into an opportunity that could shape the course of her future.

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lo-fran-sand