~Future Paleontologist Field Camp Dream 2019~

Hello World, My name is Candice E. Simon. I am a senior undergrad student at Georgia State University. My major is in Geo-Science with a concentration in Geology (B.S., Geology) My main goal in life is to become a Vertebrate Paleontologist specializing in... DINOSAURS!!! Becoming a female "Dr. Grant" would be the HIGHLIGHT of my life!!! If you have never seen any of the "Jurassic Park" movies then I am VERYYYY SORRY!!!  But this basically, means I would love to get paid to play in the dirt all over the world and help discover unknown dinosaurs to science and to the world.  This has been my lifelong dream I have had since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.  After getting married at a young age an becoming an Army wife for 5 yrs. Then dealing with the depression of an ugly divorce. I decided to do something that would help me and the world. I decided to go back to school. To earn a degree that would not just help me with a financially stable career. but for something that I would LOVE to wake up every morning to do; Paleontology. That following semester I registered at Georgia State University in their Geo-Science program.  In this predominantly male field, I have chosen to be a part of. I have had to overcome a lot. Not just by being a female, but also being a minority female. After overcoming so many adversities. I am sooo very close to one day holding my degree in my hand and yelling at the top of my lungs, I MADE IT!!! Now I am 30 yrs. old and I have reached the last leg of my race of receiving my first degree. This last lap is going to be the hardest I have ever taken.  I am graciously asking the public, the scientific world and anyone that has a passion/ love for DINOSAURS!!! To help me any way you can.  I have applied for numerous scholarships and loans and have been DENIED! If I can not go to this field camp course. I WILL NOT GRADUATE THIS YEAR!!! EVERYTHING IS RIDING ON THIS TRIP!!! Before I can achieve my dream goal of receiving my Ph.D. in geology with a specialty in paleontology. I must first go to a field school in Geoscience (GEOL 4120/4121) beginning & advanced field geology this summer in Montana. This course is MANDATORY for ALL Geo-Science major students to graduate. Both courses are worth 4 credit hours a piece for a total of 8 credit hours when completed.  The field camp is 6-weeks long in the Rocky Mountains around Dillion, Montana. Then we will gradually make our way to Yellowstone National Park, and Bear Tooth Mountains in Wyoming. We depart on May 20th and return July 3rd. The money I am trying to raise will go STRICKLY to my expenses to go on this trip. NOTHING MORE!!! Tuition for these 2 courses are: $3,264.00 Non-refundable supplies fee: $1,500.00 Room & Board & Food at UMW College fee: 1,520.00 Additional meals at Yellowstone and Dillion for 43 days: $488.00 (Optional) Estimated Grand Total: $6,284.00 (does not include Additional meals) For more information about the course click the following link below. http://paulojhidalgo.com/field-camp.html I AM ASKING THE WORLD, to help this young woman of becoming one of the few female Paleontologists in the world. Can you help me achieve my lifelong dream???!!! This is just the beginning of my journey... I am hoping you will be apart of it!!! THANK YOU!!! Candice Elizabeth Nicole Simon GA State University (Senior) GSU Geo-Club (Secretary & Treasurer) Geological Society of America Member National Association of Black Geologists Member American Institute of Professional Geologists