Laura Miramontes Hines

Speech-Language Pathologist

12758 Blue Ridge Dr

Frisco, Texas 75033

Lmhines7@gmail.com

February 23, 2020

Dear Sir/Madame,

I wish to recommend Keely Perry for the Theron L. Pickle Memorial Scholarship. I have known this
remarkable young lady since June 2017 and have come to recognize her as a strong leader, who is
caring, responsible, and an effective communicator. I am certain Keely would be an excellent candidate
for your scholarship.

When I met Keely, she was teaching swimming lessons along with two other members of her family. My
two children (aged 2 and 3 at the time) were enrolled in swim lessons in the past and were not confident
in the water. They cried and screamed continuously in previous swim lessons, but they immediately took
to Keely and her family. My son was especially fearful in the water, but he trusted Keely completely. She
was patient, calm, and soft spoken. She gently encouraged my children to push past their fears. Not only
did Keely teach excellent swimming technique, she also taught safety around the pool. She would calmly
review rules and scenarios at the beginning of each lesson. She spoke carefully and at a language level
that was easy for the children to understand. This past May, my son (5) fell into a pool when no one was
around. When I asked him what he did after he fell in, he said, "I did what they taught me in swimming
lessons. I turned around, grabbed the wall, and climbed out." Although, he was a bit shocked, he
remained calm because he was confident in what to do in this scenario. I am absolutely positive his
confidence and quick thinking was a result of the teaching he received with Keely Perry. For that, I will
be forever grateful. We have continued to enroll in lessons each summer since 2017 and our children
continue to progress!

We learned about the exceptional swim lessons Keely and her family provide, through the church both
of our families attend. In the summer of 2019, I was a director for Vacation Bible Camp at our church,
where we see 300-400 students in a week. Spots for group leaders are usually reserved for adults and
high school students are typically group helpers. Keely was one of 2-3 high school students Camp
Directors believed would provide the guidance and care to lead a group of 18-24 children. She was one
of our best volunteer group leaders! She made sure she had all of the materials needed, daily. She was
organized, caring and kind, but was also firm. The children in her group were always prepared, well
behaved through transitions, and great listeners. Keely also volunteers each year for a Trunk or Treat
event at our church. She helps to decorate and organize 2-3 trunks and greets children and their families
while passing out candy. Her trunk is set up as an inviting, interactive area, and is an area that proves to
be very popular among the children.

In the past, we have only had family members babysit our children, but since my children trusted Keely
so much, she began to babysit for us. We appreciate that she is so caring and responsible. Keely asks
questions about bedtime routines, meals, house rules, and at the end of the night always provides us
with a full report. Although this sounds so simple, my husband and I have learned that this is very rare.
My children have even encouraged us to leave the house so that this student can come over to "play"
with them! When she is Keely, I know that my children will be safe, well cared for, and loved.

I would like to state once more that I strongly recommend Keely Perry for the Theron L. Pickle Memorial
Scholarship. She is not afraid of hard-work. She is professional, responsible, focused, and an effective
communicator with children and with adults. I am certain Keely will continue to do great and creative
things in the future and I have absolute confidence that she would be an ideal candidate for your
memorial scholarship.

Sincerely,

Laura Miramontes Hines, M.A., CCC-SLP

972.342.8832