Michael is 16 and went to Yale

My name is Michael Farrington and I am a 16 year old Christian.  I was just accepted into Harvard's Secondary School Program and am excited to have this opportunity.  However, my family just moved to Cary, N.C. from Guatemala and we do not have the financial means ($11,550) for me to attend without your help.   So I want to share with you why you should invest in my academic future.

MY BACKGROUND
To provide some background, let me start by saying that my family is American-Guatemalan.  I was born and raised in Guatemala but moved to the United States in June of 2015.  I took the SAT in 8th grade and obtained a 1640 at that early age.  I am now in 10th grade and want to attend and graduate from an Ivy-League University with degrees in Law and Economics so that I can then run for office here in the United States. 

MY ASPIRATIONS
My bicultural and Christian background have made me aware of the problems that Guatemala, the U.S. and other nations suffer and have allowed me to see different solutions for them. Because of my love for both countries, I feel responsible to solve each one’s distinct problems. Both my interest and gifts in the realm of politics and economics have given me a path to take. They have given me a mission on which I must embark and a desire to hold office in the U.S. and serve the American people. As a faithful Christian, I also wish to improve the lives of all people, to live my life righteously and serve God no matter the hardships I face. I feel called to help through my understanding of politics and economics. These factors have given me a clear path for life and a moral code that I must follow regardless of the circumstances. They have motivated me to take on greater academic challenges and have a good work ethic. They also made me take AP World History in ninth grade, AP Human Geography in tenth grade, participate in Model United Nations, and help businessman Ken George win the election for Cary Town Councilman. My past, my beliefs and my talents have given me a purpose in life and ultimately shaped who I am.

“Non nobis solum nati sumus.
(Not for ourselves alone are we born.)”
― Marcus Tullius Cicero

FINANCIAL NEED STATEMENT
Harvard's Secondary School Program offers scholarships to students, but I was not an initial recipient (they shall inform me if I get the scholarship from Harvard in April).  The total cost of attending their program is $11,550.  Here is a breakdown of those funds for your information.

Room Charge                                                  $2,950
Board Charge                                                 $2,450
Summer General Tuition Class 1         $2,950
Summer General Tuition Class 2         $2,950
Summer School Health Insurance       $    200
Application Fee                                              $      50
http://www.summer.harvard.edu/high-school-programs/secondary-school-program/program-cost

o  Full payment of tuition, housing and all other fees are due no later than May 16, 2016.

GRACIOUSLY SERVE GOD BY VOLUNTEERING AT MY CHURCH
One of the ways I serve God and my local community is by volunteering and working at my church. I am a leader and a teacher for a Life Group where High School and Middle School boys gather to read the Bible, learn about God and spend time together. I am helping teach part of the book of John and serve as a mentor for many of the boys in my Life Group. Teaching my students about God makes me feel gratified that I have received the opportunity to serve the Lord and share my faith with others. I enjoy having theological debates with other members of my Life Group to find deeper Truths. I also help at my church’s Food Pantry, which is a care center that provides clothing, a hot meal and two bags of groceries for families in need of assistance. I usually volunteer to be a Spanish translator or by carrying groceries. At times, working at the Food Pantry makes me feel fulfilled and joyous. Serving the Lord my God in these ways allows me to share His incredible love with others, provide for their needs and help them establish a personal relationship with God.

HOW YOU TOUCH AND CHANGE LIVES
Your financial contribution, whether it is $1, 5, 10, 20, 50 or more truly impacts my life.  It is the difference between me being able to attend Harvard this summer and kick start my college career or watching this opportunity sail by.  As a Christian, I believe God opened the doors for me to attend Harvard and He will provide.  He has the strategy for my life mapped out.  But it is my duty to execute it and work to achieve those goals.  So I am passionately asking you to help me take those first steps that God has clearly labled.  Thank you and may God bless you.

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I was blessed by Carleigh Griffeth and WNCN news, a CBS affiliate, with a television interview promoting my story.  If you would like to see it, click here:

http://wncn.com/2016/03/20/the-high-cost-of-higher-education-pushes-students-to-crowdfunding/