Mario's Columbia University Tuition Fund

Hello friends and family.
I am writing to you to ask for your help with my tuition at Columbia University this semester. 
A little back story about who I am, what I've achieved, and what I am setting out to achieve.
As a boy, a first-generation American, I did not have the support I needed to excel at my education. I've made peace with that.
As a high school dropout, I floated from one institution to another until I landed in the fashion photography industry. I found a passion for photography and gave sixteen years of my life to that career. 
As the industry changed and I grew older, I found myself questioning my pursuit of photography. I realized that I had pursued that career for all the wrong reasons. 
As the pandemic hit, I found myself without a job and a desire to pursue an underlying passion of storytelling as well as make amends to an education I had given up on.  
This led me to apply to several colleges and universities in New York City.  I had been accepted to Columbia University.  A boy who came from East New York, Brooklyn never imagined he would be accepted to an Ivy League, I couldn't say No.
I entered my first semester at Columbia in the Fall of 2020 and worked tirelessly day and night to ensure I made the grade. 
I recently found out that I have made Dean's List for my efforts and I continue to work relentlessly to achieve my degree in Creative Writing with a concentration in Ethnic Studies. 
My dream is that I will be able to inspire troubled youth as well as adults battling inner demons to change their lives and pursue the goals that they had long given up on.
I believe strongly that if I could change, anyone can change.  
I ask for help this semester because I know that I have achieved a great feat. Excelling at Columbia is no easy task, but I can ensure that I have the passion and the drive to continue to excel. 
With your help, we can make that possible.