Idaho fourth-grader’s note results in TWU largesse

Dec. 21, 2022 — DENTON — It is the season for giving, and the College of Nursing at TWU found out how impactful a gift can be.
 
“TWU is the talk of our school. The local community and everybody is talking about TWU,” said Cory James, a fourth-grade teacher at Owyhee Elementary in Boise, Idaho. “You now have quite a number of fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade fans in Boise, Idaho.”
 
They know Texas Woman’s University thanks to a letter written by fourth-grader Cambelle Arrington. As part of a letter-writing assignment from James, Cambelle sought out a university with a program in nursing, her prospective career of choice; and in Texas, her prospective living location of choice. She settled on Texas Woman’s University and started her letter.
 
In it, she wrote, “I want to be a nurse when I grow up because I want to help people.” She continued: “Can you please respond because I want to tell my friends all about you.”
 
Damon Cottrell, PhD, DNP, and interim dean of the College of Nursing, sent Cambelle a package nearly the same size as the fourth-grader. In it were branded TWU lunchboxes, notebooks, pens, first aid kits and more. There were also notes from Cottrell and other Nursing staff.
 
Arrington said the response was special. “It made me feel that I’m not alone, and that there are people out there that are excited for my future plans.”
 
Her mother, Megan, said it has been quite the experience for Cambelle.
 
“She had the biggest smile on her face when she received the package and all the great TWU items. She loved everything about the response,” Megan said. “It was special to have so many great people respond to her and encourage her. This has been an experience she, and us, will always remember.”
 

James said nearly all of his students are writing with pens from TWU that Cambelle shared with them. He always looks forward to the results of this assignment.
 
“It becomes more than writing because they learn how powerful the pen can be by writing a letter. It's different than just writing an email,” James said. “Texas Woman's University has been the highlight of the year so far.”
 
Cambelle chose a university in Texas because of a shared affinity for the state by her parents. Her parents, Jayson and Megan, each spent time in Texas for missions for their church. When they met, they bonded over their love for Texas.
 
“We are big fans of the state of Texas,” Megan said.
 
And now TWU.
 
“I think that it would be a great place to go to school,” Cambelle said.

Page last updated 4:46 PM, December 21, 2022