This spring, Richard and I reazlied, after a long day of Jazz band practice —his Texas State acceptance letter on one side, my military paperwork on the other— the Hazelwood Act wouldn’t cover his tuition. Even though our family has lived in Texas for 19 years, my Home of Record at enlistment wasn’t Texas. He looked at me and said, “Dad, I just want to start college without this hanging over me.”

I’m Dan, Richard’s proud dad, and we created this page so friends, family, and kind strangers everywhere can give him the launchpad he deserves.

Who Richard Is

Future Forensic Pathologist: He’s excelled in AP and honors classes, plus medical-prep coursework—Anatomy & Physiology, Psychology, Medical Interventions—because he’s determined to solve real-world mysteries in a lab one day.

Natural Leader: National Honor Society member since sophomore year and Section Leader of our high school’s mellophone section, guiding countless post-COVID marching, concert, and jazz band competitions with grit and teamwork.

Resilient Achiever: Thriving despite ADHD, ODD, and family upheaval, Richard has never let challenges slow him down—he uses them to sharpen his focus.

Why We Need Your Help

Richard earned his spot at Texas State University—go Bobcats!—and plans to dedicate himself 100% to his studies and campus leadership. We chased every scholarship we could find, and counted on the Hazelwood Act, but there’s still a gap. He’s determined not to graduate buried in debt or to saddle us with loans, so we’re turning to our community for a little help.

How Your Gift Will Be Used

Every dollar goes 100% toward:

Tuition & Fees for STEM and pre-med courses

Course Materials: textbooks, lab supplies, and a reliable research laptop

Dorm & Study Setup: bedding, desk lamp, kitchen basics, and storage

Professional Prep: scrubs or lab coat for internships, conference and workshop fees

How You Can Make a Difference

Donate: No amount is too small—every gift moves Richard closer to focusing solely on his education.

Share: Even if you can’t give right now, spreading this page could spark a benefactor who ensures he graduates debt-free.

Encourage: Leave a note of congratulations or a campus-life tip—your words boost his confidence and help our campaign’s visibility.

We’ll post regular updates— dorm setup, Summer prep, and internship adventures—so you can see exactly how your generosity is propelling him forward.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for helping Richard seize this opportunity and launch his future.