My name is Kayce Thompson and I am the mother of three boys. They are all amazing, but the one I am asking for help for is my son, Lucas Thompson. Lucas is 16 years old and will be 17 on April 26th. He is my middle child, and his earlier childhood was harder than it had to be, unfortunately, but you would never know that about him. Lucas is the most selfless, kind-hearted, genuine person I know. He has a way of making you feel seen, validated, and appreciated. He has never met a stranger, and he loves God. He surprises me with how smart he is; he has studied almost every religion and can answer any question with factual information to answer the string of same questions every non-believer asks when trying to get a Christian to prove God is real. He never criticizes anyone's beliefs, nor does he ever make you feel judged because you think differently from him. He loves to debate any topic, especially the ones people tell you to stay away from. He loves politics, and if he is speaking, he has already researched the topic. Arguing is no use because he has already researched and fact-checked his information before he even spoke on it. He loves playing Dungeons and Dragons. He has been on the A honor roll consistently since middle school. He has a 4.9 GPA, is taking all AP classes, and has decided he wants to get a degree in civil engineering when he graduates. He is always at home because he is constantly doing school work. He never has to be asked to clean up or take out the trash; he does it on his own. He is constantly helping. When he does small jobs like cutting grass to earn money, he holds on to his money and never wants to spend it on himself because he wants to make sure if he needs to help out with food, gas, or anything we might need and are struggling to pay for, he can do so. He never asks to be paid back, nor does he ever ask for anything for himself. He always asks me how my day was when he walks in from school and never wants me to have to go anywhere alone. He never lets me carry groceries or pump gas. He is truly an amazing person and son.

He got nominated last year and this year to attend a summer program called the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Engineering by his teachers and school. I couldn't afford it but this year I'm asking for help to try and give him a chance at a once in a lifetime opportunity and give him a headstart for the future he deserves.It is an 8-day program, and he can choose between multiple schools to attend. It is an amazing opportunity and an opportunity of a lifetime. If there is anyone who deserves to go, it's Lucas. The cost for admission is $4,499, not including travel costs for plane tickets there and back, but tuition includes housing accommodations, on-campus meals, course and lab materials, and transportation for off-campus events and activities. However, it does not include souvenirs, any meals off-campus, and incidentals. I have included his invitation and the letter, as well as the website that gives all the information. I will also include a picture of the choice of schools that are offering this program and the dates, as well as the itinerary of what all he will get to do while he is there. It also counts as a college credit and opens the doors to future careers, internships, and job networking opportunities.

If you can help invest in Lucas, you are investing in someone who is going to leave the world better than he found it. I know he is going to make his mark and change the world for a lot of people one day, but right now, you are helping change his life. He is appreciative of every opportunity he has ever been given, and because he would never ask for it, he deserves this so much more. If you can help, no matter how small the donation is, it will be appreciated, and he will not waste this opportunity.