Homeless Student's College Dream

Frederick Epting is a high school senior graduating this year from Springfield Southeast High School. He is need of help to realize his dream of attending college. Now I know you may be thinking so what, many kids want to go to college. But here is the difference, and the reason why we are asking for your help. Fred is considered homeless, he was virtually abandoned by his parents at a young age, and has had to learn to survive on his own. Most kids in this situation learn to look at the world in a resentful way, and give up. What makes Fred stand out is that he is exactly the opposite. He is a member of the National Honor Society, and has maintained a 4.2 grade point average throughout high school. Fred is also an outstanding athlete on the football field. He started playing football in jr. high and realizing he had a talent for it, he knew that football along with a good education were his only way out of a life of poverty. Fred also mentors young boys about the importance of staying in school and getting good grades. All of his hard work has paid off in that he has been offered a scholarship to play football at Drake University, a Division 1 school, which doesn't give athletes full scholarships.
While many colleges were looking at Fred to play football, Drake was the only one to offer him a scholarship, which will allow Fred's dreams of playing college football come true. But, without family to cosign a loan, Fred is still $9,000.00 short of full tuition. Fred will have a summer job to save money and any money he receives from donors will only get him closer to his dream. I am a teacher at Fred's high school, and can say without a shadow of a doubt, he is truly worthy of any help you can give him. I know if we pay it forward now, Fred will reach back and pull another young man up who is in need, just as he is.