11yrold goes to college for summer

 

Figure 1 Deandre Michael

Honestly, I thought that I would have enough time to save for Deandre's college tuition. I was wrong. He is 11 years old and I must get his college tuition by November for him to go to a program at a University during the summer. 

Deandre developed at an astonishing rate. He spoke in complete sentences at 2 years of age. He entered kindergarten reading and writing. For him it was normal. For me? He always had questions. The questions never stopped! So, he continued to learn at a rate that I knew was advanced.

Figure 2 President's Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence

When Dre was in 3rd grade I went into his room finding around 20 awards that he had in a bale of papers. He said that he got them so often he didn't think they were special. They were special and so is he. 

He has made the A honor roll for 8 semesters of his life. The other semesters he made the A/B honor roll. That's 35 awards from making the honor roll alone.  Plus, the year-end awards for Educational Excellence. He received numerous awards in field day activates and leadership.

In 2015, he dedicated his summer to tutoring the students at his elementary school that did not pass the math and English section of the EOG's (End of Grade testing). He continued this mission of his during the rest of the year. Helping whenever teachers asked.

He applied for being a hall monitor in his last year of Elementary school and made it! This is only given to the top students in the school. Students that has proven to be a positive role model for the other students and be compassionate when they are found not following the rules.

At home, we encourage and facility a learning environment. We choose 80% of family vacation by location. Taking in mind if there is a museum of historic attribute. During a family vacation in Destin Florida, we went to the Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base. There he imagined how it felt to fly a plane in WWII.

Figure 3 Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base

During a vacation in Charleston, SC, Dre stands at the top of USS York Town. He said he felt like he was on top of the world! He also spoke about how hard it must have been to live in such close quarters. His plan of becoming an engineer was concreted after seeing the USS Clamagore. He said he can built a "way better ship than this".
Figure 4 ON top of the world on the USS York Town

 

Figure 5 Aiming at his future on the USS York Town

Not only is he brilliant, but he is a top-grade athlete.  Dre has played both basketball and football for the local YMCA. As you see from the photograph, he was leader of his team and labeled the most valuable player. He is a natural born athlete, performing physical activates with ease.

 Figure 6 Dre catching an interception at the Football game. Dre is in blue shirt. He made the touchdown.

 Figure 7 On our family trip to Destin Florida, Deandre got in his jog down by the coast

 Deandre has been nominated to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum(NYLF ): Explore STEM , an Envision Program for middle school students to be held next summer.  He was personally selected based upon his academic potential and interest in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math, often referred to as the STEM fields. This program brings STEM to life as the students plan a "Mission to Mars."

This program will take place at 10 Universities throughout the country. The closest for Deandre is Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.
Figure 8 Tuition payment options

He needs around $3000 this year which a deposit of $500 is due by November the first.

1.The tuition is $2,295.

2. He must purchase uniforms.

3. Have enough money to wash his clothes.

4. He will need snack. Three meals are provided.

5. Transportation to the university.

6. Money to cover outside field trips.

7. Varies school supplies.
 

What I feel he might benefit from having:

8. laptop

 

This is a huge honor for Deandre to go into this program. It will go on his permanent school record and follow him the rest of his life. It would mean the world for him and me, for him to go. It will show him the importance of good grades. It will show him how important it is to graduate from a STEM program because of the impact it has on the world.  Every great leader started somewhere. This is his start. Please help him be the best that he can be!

 
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.