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Help Rafniel Go to College!

My name is Rafniel E. Rios. I am 17 years old and I am a senior student at Dr. Carlos González High School from Aguada, Puerto Rico. I describe myself as a disciplined, structured and responsible student. I have an academic average of 4.00. I am a musician and my main instrument is the trumpet, which I have been playing for 9 years. I studied my first years of music studies at the Free School of Music of Mayaguez, P.R. Then my parents made the decision to travel every Saturday four hours a day to take me to the Preparatory School of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico at San Juan during three years. Now, I have been taking individual classes for three years with my mentor, friend, and professor Dr. Nitai Pons. At the age of 13, I auditioned to be part of the Symphonic Experience Internship of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, in which, thanks to God, I have been participating for four consecutive years. At the age of 14, I was accepted to be part of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO2), being the only Puerto Rican trumpeter to participate in this program for the last three consecutive years.  

I have been accepted by the University of Kansas School of Music to study a Bachelor Degree in Trumpet Performance. The estimated cost of tuition, room, and board, books, and other living expenses each year is $ 42,000.00, which is impossible for me to pay without your help. I come from a low-income family my parents have made many sacrifices to give my siblings and me the best education possible. On September 21, 2017, Puerto Rico was affected by hurricane Maria, one of the worst natural disasters to ever hit the island. During the hurricane, our house was flooded and all our belongings were damaged. Therefore my parents have had to spend all their savings on restoring the house, buying appliances, and clothes.  And this is why I have turned to this campaign to make my four years at KU possible. Please, HELP ME REACH MY DREAM!  Thank you!
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Donations 

  • Cheryl Green
    • $1,000 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Rafniel Rios Babilonia
Organizer
Aguada, PR
Carlos Rios Babilonia
Beneficiary

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