From Lucas and Rafael:

Dear friends,

We are Lucas and Rafael Ponzetto, and we are reaching out to you for support in our educational journey. Our dream is to attend a university and obtain a college degree, but we need your help to make it a reality.

Our childhood in Brazil was marked by unimaginable hardships, as we suffered abuse from our father. Consequently, we found ourselves in a small Brazilian shelter, alongside 15 other children, facing constant instability. Changing schools frequently and dealing with the emotional traumas impacted on our academic performance and mental well-being. Despite these challenging circumstances, we persevered, driven by a determination to strive for excellence in life. We learned the value of resilience and strength during those difficult moments.

In 2022, our lives took a positive turn when we were adopted by our uncle and aunt, who reside in the United States. We were given the incredible opportunity to study and play soccer at an American high school during our junior and senior years. This was a difficult journey, involving learning a new language, maintaining high grades, and honing our soccer skills. Additionally, we dedicated ourselves to both academics and athletics. As proud members of the International Students Club, we served as its president and vice president. Also, since we enrolled in Rockwall-Heath High School we achieved an impressive GPA of 4.8. Our leadership role within the club allows us to be positive role models for other newcomers to the country, demonstrating the importance of education and determination. Moreover, in the middle of our numerous responsibilities, we excelled in soccer, receiving honors such as the Honorable Mention Player for a 6A All-District team, the Win the Day Award, and All-District Academics recognition.

We are also deeply passionate about computer science and cybersecurity. We have actively pursued excellence in this field by taking computer science principles and cybersecurity classes in high school, and by volunteering in the tech team at Lakepointe Church. Our future plans involve majoring in computer science at college, and we aspire to make a difference in this fascinating field.

To add to our excitement, we have committed to playing soccer for Texas A&M - Texarkana, a remarkable opportunity that fills us with pride. However, the financial obstacles we face are significant. Therefore, we are appealing to our community for assistance in raising $16,000, which will be evenly distributed to cover our educational expenses.

By supporting us, you are not only investing in our education but also contributing to our pursuit of excellence in both academics and athletics. Your generous contribution will amplify our efficiency and provide the confidence needed to keep pushing ourselves forward, aiming for greatness.

We sincerely believe in the power of community, and we are immensely grateful for any donation you can provide. Together, we can make a lasting impact on our lives and the lives of those we hope to inspire. Thank you for your kindness and support.

Thank you so much,

Lucas and Rafael Ponzetto

Link to the Dallas Morning News article about their life story:

https://www.dallasnews.com/high-school-sports/soccer/2023/05/22/twins-find-sanctuary-in-rockwall-heath-boys-soccer-program-after-suffering-abuse/