Dear Colleges Admission Committee

If you are reading this letter of recommendation that means this student has survived at least 3 years in my classroom and I think highly of him or her.  Can't we just leave it at that?  Do I have to look up synonyms for "intelligent" or "outstanding" or  <sigh>  "mature"?  Don't you hear that in every recommendation letter? 
                I want to tell you about so much more than his ability to cough up homework or ace a test.  What I would like to share is how he managed to survive all the rocks that life threw at him - his father's death in freshman year, or how her family lost their home in Hurricane Sandy, or how diabetes showed up to bloat his body and force humiliating rushed exits to the rest room in the middle of class.  I'd like to tell you about the words she read outside the school at the candlelight vigil for her friend lost to suicide.  Or about how he found a way to be accepting of the boy who still skips and giggles even in his senior year, how I saw him stretch past teenage judgmentalism to recognize value in someone different.
                Sure, sure  - I can assure you that she has leadership qualities and always helped her fellow students.  But really,  how hard is it to run for Class Officer or to let someone borrow your notes?  I often witness  true leadership and kindness in what my students don't do.  This student chose not to disrupt the class, not to be late, not to tease the weak and not to cheat -  and he expected the same from others.  He wasn't  team captain /club president  because he was the afterschool caretaker for his little sister or worked in his parent's restaurant or held down a crappy job to help the family with bills.  This student led by defining his own moral ground and he made kindness a regular habit.  None of this shows on her college resume so are you really getting the true picture?                
                I've been lucky enough to spend years getting to know this student but the stories are too personal to put in a form letter and it's info that is not mine to share.  So let's leave it at this - I know this student and I'm telling you that he will do well at your school and you are lucky to get him.  Enough said.