Big Sister Debbie and Little Sister Amanda

The history they share has proved successful for Amanda. She has triumphed over familial circumstances and chose to provide her future with the stability of a college education. Though it is a long process to apply to college, however, Deb and Amanda painstakingly wrote out applications to colleges and all the hard worked paid off. Amanda accomplished what many young adults like her would not be able to do. Big Sister Deb has recently been informed that her Little Sister Amanda has received early acceptance into Lehigh University on a full scholarship that pays for all four years as well as the price of books! It’s no wonder that Deb is more than proud of Amanda.

Through her relationship with Amanda, Deb has clarified her mission in life, which is to “help and support girls and women through education”. Deb is a firm believer that Education is key in the development of young girls into leading and surviving women. In the early stages of their relationship, Deb noticed that Amanda was a gifted young girl despite her extenuating circumstances at home. She began to foster the gift that Amanda innately had fixed in her, and emphasized the need for her to “break the cycle of low self esteem in her family, take control of her life and pursue education”. Deb noticed that the only thing that Amanda could control in her life were her outstanding grades in school therefore she encouraged Amanda to use them to her full advantage. What is so unique about their relationship is that Deb became the missing piece in Amanda’s life, she explained life to her, and ingrained leadership skills in her which ultimately made her the overachiever she is today!

It is possible that what makes this relationship so effective for both Deb and Amanda is the understanding that has accompanied them through the years. Deb is a wonderful role model for Amanda while Amanda never ceases to amaze Deb. In a previous article written on the two, Deb describes Amanda as “always optimistic, responsible for her actions, she feels she can achieve anything to which she sets her mind” and she has just proved that to the world with her University acceptance. Deb has also said that Amanda “understands that she has intellectual and emotional gifts which have been the keys to rising above her family history and forging a path of success in life.” It is very apparent that Deb foresaw a bright, successful future for her “Little Sister” and does not expect anything less for the intelligent young woman Amanda has grown into with the guidance and respect earned from her “big sister”. After all, isn’t that what “Big Sisters” are for?

Deb describes Amanda as her “soul mate” in a way because they share so many of the same interests. They share the same love and appreciation for books and literature, which makes for nice conversation when they get together. When it comes to Amanda, Deb is certain that “she’s the hero, not me, she’s my gift”.