We are unbelievable proud of what Ayden has accomplished academically. He has been accepted to Drury University. We have set this go fund me up to help him get there. Below is Ayden's story.
Hi, I'm Ayden Quinn - I'm 18, I'm from Camdenton, Missouri, and this fall I'm heading to Drury University in Springfield to study Cybersecurity. I'm the first in my family to go to a four-year college, and I'm asking for help to make it happen.
WHY CYBERSECURITY?
This isn't something I just picked because it seemed like a good job. I've been building toward it for a while. Last year I competed in Cybersecurity at FBLA Nationals. This year I'm headed to the Missouri State competition in both Cyber and Network Design. I've been President of my FBLA chapter for three years and a member of the National Honor Society for two. I also took AP Physics, AP US Government, accounting, personal finance, and computer science in high school - not because I had to, but because I wanted to actually understand how things work.
I'm currently a senior with a 3.8977 GPA and a 25 composite ACT score, including a 32 in math. Cybersecurity is a field where you have to keep learning constantly. That suits me perfectly.
WHY DRURY?
Drury has the best cybersecurity program in Missouri. They've helped design the cybersecurity programs at other major universities in the state - so the people who built everyone else's curriculum are the ones I'll be learning from. That's a big deal to me.
When I toured campus it just felt different. It was calm. It felt like people were actually there to learn, not just to be there. I toured other schools and didn't get that. At Drury I did.
There's also something unique about how Drury structures degrees. Every student is required to graduate with at least three credentials - a major, a minor, and a certificate. So I won't just leave with one degree. I'll leave with multiple qualifications built in. I took personal finance and accounting in high school, so I know what it means to have a backup plan. This program basically builds one in for you.
THE HONEST NUMBERS
I want to be upfront about where things stand. I think anyone considering donating deserves to see what i have received.
Total cost of attendance (year 1) $51,108
Scholarships and grants awarded:
Scholarships $24,000
Grants + Federal Loans $12,145
Total Paid $41,645
Gap to cover ~$9,470
I've applied for everything I could find. I've taken the loans. I'm planning to work this summer. The aid i have received is great, but there's still a gap, and that's why I'm here.
A THANK YOU
To my parents - thank you for pushing me to be my best and never letting me settle. I wouldn't be here without you.
To my friends, teachers, and counselors at Launch Online Learning - you helped me get here. I didn't do this alone.
Any amount helps. Even sharing this page makes a real difference.
Thank you.