December 8, 2015

To Whom It May Concern,

It is a pleasure to write this recommendation on behalf of Ashley Cortes. Ashley was a member of my Honors British
Literature class as a Senior during the 2014-15 school year. Despite an already outstanding level of maturity, I
watched Ashley grow as a reader, writer, and overall, as a student. Intelligence, humor, confidence, and kindness all
blend with the remarkable amount of character which she demonstrated to make Ashley one of the finest young women
I have ever had the privilege to teach and to know.
Ashley loved to learn and she enjoyed the challenge that academics presented. She consistently met and usually
surpassed this challenge with work that is insightful, incredibly intelligent, and a joy to read. Ashley embodied going
the extra mile when completing projects, writing essays, and participating in daily discussions. She was a naturally
inquisitive student who took the mundane and turned it into something extraordinary. Ashley was a patient learner and
an avid listener who knew that knowledge was all around her. Ashleys writing over the course of our time together
grew stronger and strongerit was consistently focused, organized, and highly stylized. Ashley was a complete
student; she was a mature, considerate, intelligent and enthusiastic leader in the DePaul Prep community.
Ashley was an organized and patient member of her class as exhibited through her service to various clubs in our
school. She was someone who actively listened to her peers and demonstrated a deep sense of care and concern. This
kind of character leant itself well to classroom participation and the greater community at large. Ashley was a kind
young lady who knew the importance of being upbeat, considerate, and helpful when it comes to a school community.
Her smile was constant, her words were kind, and she was a happy personshe was a treasure to our small school and
will continue to be so to others throughout the rest of her life. I have stayed in contact with Ashley since she graduated
from DePaul College Prep, and Ashley has maintained this level of excellence at the university level.
I enthusiastically recommend Ashley Cortes to any college or university she chooses. She demonstrates the kind of
energy that personifies the most dynamic aspects of the collegiate experience. Ashley will undoubtedly be an asset to
any university campus. If you would like to discuss Ashley further, I can be reached at (773) 539-3600 or via email at
nedwards@depaulprep.org.
Sincerely,
Nicole Hebson Edwards
English Department Chair
DePaul College Prep