This letter provides a strong recommendation for Candice Gresham for an internship with the HBCUI Program. The author has known Candice for seven years through a youth mentorship program and hiring her for summer internships. Candice demonstrated strong work ethic and computer skills. She worked for the author for 4-5 summers until graduating high school. At Tuskegee University, Candice has been active on campus, received a tennis scholarship, focused on academics, and is on the honor roll. The author believes Candice is a hard worker who will represent the program well as an intern.

1. March 20, 2015
To the HBCUI Program and the National Park Site,
It is an honor to have the opportunity to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of Ms. Candice
Gresham. Ms. Gresham is a very bright and outstanding young lady. I have had the pleasure of knowing
Ms. Gresham and her mother, for the last seven years.
I met Candice Gresham, during her freshman year at Westlake High School. I had been very involved in a
youth mentorship program and was attending a PTA meeting at Westlake High School. Candice
Gresham, was on the program. I was extremely impressed with how poised and well-spoken she was.
She shared with the audience some of her accomplishments and stated that she had really good
computer skills. After the school program, I met with Ms. Gresham and her mother, a very active school
parent, and I offered Candice Gresham a summer internship position in my office.
Ms. Gresham started as an assistant office administrator, and she learned very quickly how to basically
assist me in running my office. She became so efficient in her work, that I hired her to work for me
during parts of each summer. She worked with me, close to 4 or 5 years, until she graduated from
Westlake High School in 2012, and began as a full-time college student at Tuskegee University.
I know from personal experience, as one who has the ability to judge young people’s character, that
Candice Gresham is an outstanding young lady, who has proven to me that she is committed to
excellence. She is a hard worker and demonstrates her desire to do her best, and trust me, it shows in
her work, and in the accomplishments that she has achieved.
Ms. Gresham, stopped working with me this past summer because she was selected to serve in a
position as summer intern at Iowa State University. Up until today, I have kept in touch with her and
have kept up with her progress at Tuskegee University. She has been very active in several on campus
organization. She started college with a Tuskegee University Tennis women’s scholarship. She decided,
after the first year, to completely focus instead on her academics and to become a well-rounded
student, instead of a college athlete. What I have learned an experienced about this young lady is that
she is definitely focused, she knows what she wants and goes after it. Ms. Gresham, has shared with me
very recently that she is currently on the Tuskegee University honor roll, she has been successful with
her college work.
I feel strongly that Candice Gresham is a very deserving and is a strong candidate to be considered as a
intern for the HBCUI Program. She not only has proven to me to be a hard worker, but she has achieved
accomplishments at Tuskegee University and proven to be a great student. I am praying and making a
strong recommendation that you, the honorable selection committee, give strong consideration to Ms.
Candice Gresham, as one of your HBCUI Program interns. Candice Gresham is an outstanding young
lady, and if selected, she will represent you well. She’s determined and a successful 21st
Century Leader.
Sincerely,
John D. Shields – 404-310-4247 – Email: jdnetwork@jdshileds.net