Aquarium Night

60 hard-working, college-bound, low-income AVID students will take a bus tour to visit colleges across our state (California) in February.  I have a dream to give them one unforgettable night -- a sleepover -- in the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.  These students have worked hard from 7th - 11th grade to change the trajectory of their lives from illiteracy, poverty and deprivation to professional career paths.  I have future doctors, engineers, teachers and, yes, marine biologists in this group.  They have done an amazing job of raising money for our trip -- goodwill drive, carwashes, candy sales, a dance, applying for scholarships . . . but I would like to reward them with one, phenomenal, unexpected, educational experience of a lifetime.  The aquarium sponors sleepovers, but they are beyond our budget.  Can you help me raise $6,000 more to pull off this project?  Thank you, Rachel Williams, classroom teacher.