Pinecrest Business Association
October 19, 2010
 

Less than a year ago, I was convinced that I could go about the college admissions process alone. Then the pressures of junior year began. SAT's were to be taken and the oh-so-dreaded list of colleges was to be made, and as stress began to mount, I finally buckled. Thus, my search for a college counselor began. When I first walked into Toby's office, the first thing I noticed were the hundreds of SAT words plastered to the walls, the ceilings, any conceivable place, really. And for some reason that just really put me at ease. Perhaps it was the mix of contained chaos and just the riotous explosion of color. I don't know. But something really clicked right then. And Toby... well, Toby was just like those words. She had the knowledge you needed to go about the college admissions process, but she presented everything in a way that wasn't overwhelming. Right off the bat, she was warm and comforting, and as my meetings with her grew more frequent, the topics we discussed grew exponentially. Really, she's not just a college counselor. She was my greatest advocate when I started my baking charity, she was a confidante when I was frazzled, which was quite frequent now that I think about it, thanks for that Toby, and she was always just there, a phone call away. In all honesty, maybe I could've gone about this entire process without someone like Toby, but I just wouldn't be the same person standing here today. Without her, I wouldn't have worked with the Special Olympics, which was so completely life-changing. Without her, I never would've really faced all the emotions I had suppressed dealing with my parent's divorce; she helped me face that, and that was something that just really surprised me. I could tell that she genuinely cared, about me, and not just me, about all of her kids. Thank you so much Toby. 

Kelly Hsu

I have been working with Toby for over two years now, talking about clubs I should join, activities I should organize, colleges I should check up on, or just the simple question; how’s life rolling along?

Attending Toby's College Prep, I've become very comfortable sitting in front of her desk and talking about already anything, from what I study to school to what I do for fun.

I have never hesitated to ever call Toby up on the phone or drop by her office for any questions that came up, Toby's one of the most approachable people in my life.

Recently leaving the family, my brother, working with Toby Rose for four years, is studying in Holland. Now I'm working to get into my dream school, which I think will be easy done!

Miklos Bartha

My name is Heeweon Kim and I am a senior at Miami Palmetto Senior High School. I have been working with Toby since freshman year, and can truthfully say that she has made a tremendous impact in my life.

I moved to the United States about five years ago. When I entered high school, I was clueless, with nobody to help me. Coming from that conservative, Asian household, I had little confidence in my potentials and myself. Toby helped me get through some of the hardest times in my life, giving me the strength and confidence I needed.  In ninth grade, I told Toby that I would never get into a good college throughout the four years of high school; she encouraged me and raised my confidence.  Now I am ready to apply to some of the most prestigious schools in the country.

It is hard to imagine what my high school life would have looked like if it weren't for Toby. She has been one of the few people outside of my family that I have established such a strong bond with; throughout my college years and beyond, our bond will remain sturdy.

Heeweon Kim

Before I met Toby I had just hit a rough patch in my life. I focused on everything in the world besides school. My grades plummeted as my motivation to succeed did as well. I felt like I had just hit rock bottom, I would lose sleep every night thinking about my future, thinking that there wasn’t one for me. Clearly, me doing all the work my self just wasn’t working.  I knew I needed help. So I went to Toby. Toby was the first person to tell me that my life wasn’t over, that it’s possible to get my grades up, and get into some good schools. I walked out of my first meeting with Toby, with a mind full of relief and a heart full of hope. At that point I had knew I had made the right decision to come see Toby. One of the things I love about Toby is that she is a good friend. Don’t get me wrong, she’s an amazing help, and its wonderful that I can call her whenever I have a question on an application, but when it comes down to it, helping her kids is her life, not her job. Toby is a person I can always count on to talk to when I need help regardless if it is school related or not. So where would I be without Toby? I don’t even want to know. Now thanks to Toby, just last Thursday I got my first acceptance into UCF. Thank You and Toby, Thank you for everything.

Josh Quartin

Toby Rose’s College Prep really shouldn’t be called Toby Rose’s College Prep, it should be called the life planner with a mother of a thousand kids and; that title is no exaggeration. Toby Rose’s College Prep helped me improve my SAT score with their amazing classes, I also received preparation for the ACT. The most important area of help came from Toby Rose, my second mother - she prepared me with ACT reading and math and working one on one.  She created a signature relationship that helped her to guide me in which direction to go in terms of college. Toby rose is my second mother and she knows me sometimes better than myself, especially when she finishes my sentences and when she lets me know which direction would be the best for me. Toby Rose’s College Prep created the greatest ME possible, with her special personality. These past 4 years of my life have flown but they created something I can never replace.  The money spent is immaterial compared to the relationship that was made between Toby and I. I can categorize Toby Rose’s College Prep in two words, LIFE CHANGING.

David Yankana

I have known Toby since I was in 10th grade.  Perhaps, I have known Toby for a much longer time.  Ten years ago, I began Chinese at a local Chinese school and my mother sat and took notes, while Toby did a presentation there.  I was only 6 years old at the time.  My mother believed that I would, one day, need Toby for guidance.  And it so happened, that, ten years later, my mother opened her notebook, containing the notes she wrote a decade ago, and sent me to her for guidance because she believed that her good advice and suggestions are priceless.   

Toby is my second mother.  For the past three years, she has helped me in so many ways, offering tips with college applications and even teaching me the workings of society.  She is a true counselor who unselfishly devotes her personal time with her kids and I admire her for her altruistic and genuine qualities. 

She is accountable and supported me in every way possible.  Like a mother, Toby picks me up and directs me to the right path when I fall in the wrong direction.  Toby is my second mother and I forever hold a place in my heart.

Mindy Wang

Although it has been almost 4 years now, it seems that just yesterday I walked into Toby Rose’s College Prep for the first time.  When I met Toby for the first time I instantly knew that she was going to be one of the few people I could truly trust.  With all that has gone on in my life, whether trouble at home or drama at school, Toby has always been there for me, for all of us, and now with what has happened in the last couple of weeks we all need Toby the most.  I guess that’s what makes Toby special, she isn’t just there to help us with college, and she’s there to help us with life.

Nicole Robson

Good Afternoon.  My name is Krista Pedersen and I am a junior at Miami Palmetto Senior High School.  I knew of Toby and her program because my brother Daniel and gone through her SAT prep classes, which helped him to receive an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

I started with the Toby Rose’s College Prep Program the spring of my freshman year.  Each month I meet with Toby and she mentors me and talks to me about my goals and aspirations.  She advises me on my curriculum for the coming year and challenges me each time to grow and develop a global view of the world.  Last summer I attended a Student Leadership program in Europe.  I have a great interest in Political Science and Economics with a concentration in Middle Eastern Studies.  Toby has nurtured that interest.  I have visited over 11 colleges and with the stiff competition out there she is guiding me to develop my passion and is helping me to navigate the best college choices for me.  Toby has inspired me to think about the future even though I am often overwhelmed with my daily studies and responsibilities.  She has helped me to understand how the sacrifices that I make today will affect my future plans, and as a result I am more organized and effective with my time.  With Toby’s help, last year I received the academic achievement award for earth space sciences at my high school and I have maintained my name on the principal’s honor roll every year.

I mostly consider Toby a good friend, who I can talk to and share openly.  Thank you allowing me to share my thoughts with you today.

Krista Pedersen

Pinecrest Business Association
October 20, 2009
 

Toby Rose
 

Woo Lim - Palmetto Senior H. S.
 

Nicole Robson - Palmetto Senior H. S.
 

Michael Rodriguez - Palmer Trinity
 

Nicole Robson, Michael Rodriguez, Toby Rose,
Woo Lim, Sivan Sax (Sunset)