Gift Giovanni's Graduation
Donation protected
My daughter recently told me a story about one of her students who has achieved greatness despite any obstacle placed in his path. Humble beginnings, starting elementary school as a non-native English speaker, and the oldest child of a hard-working family of limited income. She told me how this student consistently excelled in school and worked harder than any student she knew. She told me of a scholarship he earned, granting him attendance to the most prestigious boys’ high school in Arizona. But there was a catch. The scholarship was just $1,000 short of the $17,000 a year tuition. This meant the family would need to find $1,000 a year for the next four years in order to fulfill the tuition requirement. My heart instantly fell. I knew I had to meet this child and his family. I got my chance at his 8th grade graduation.
Meeting Giovanni and his family truly showed me what can happen when someone believes in you. His parents were so proud of the scholarship he earned and explained to me how they vowed to do whatever it took to earn the extra $1,000 a year so that Gio could attend Brophy College Prep. Gio had his own plan as well. He said he could work at the school to help cover the remaining cost. After speaking with Gio and learning about his interest in academics, especially math, and how he hopes to one day graduate from college, I knew I had to do something. This young man and his family, who value education and know the doors it will open, took a leap of faith. Knowing the potential prize was greater than the risk, they pushed through the application process of entrance exams and interviews, competing for a spot in the Freshman class often reserved for students from more affluent communities. He got in. They persevered again, applying for a scholarship. A scholarship that, again, would often be offered to students from more affluent communities. He got the scholarship. Because his family believed in him and because this humble young man believed in himself, he earned the gift of an education rarely given to students who come from communities like Gio.
I was inspired by Gio and his family. His parents’ dedication to doing what needed to be done to ensure his future success, Gio’s commitment to working outside of school to earn money, and the family’s willingness to take a risk inspired me to take a risk of my own – to start this GoFundMe for Gio. I hope to be as successful in this endeavor as Gio has been in his educational journey.
Meeting Giovanni and his family truly showed me what can happen when someone believes in you. His parents were so proud of the scholarship he earned and explained to me how they vowed to do whatever it took to earn the extra $1,000 a year so that Gio could attend Brophy College Prep. Gio had his own plan as well. He said he could work at the school to help cover the remaining cost. After speaking with Gio and learning about his interest in academics, especially math, and how he hopes to one day graduate from college, I knew I had to do something. This young man and his family, who value education and know the doors it will open, took a leap of faith. Knowing the potential prize was greater than the risk, they pushed through the application process of entrance exams and interviews, competing for a spot in the Freshman class often reserved for students from more affluent communities. He got in. They persevered again, applying for a scholarship. A scholarship that, again, would often be offered to students from more affluent communities. He got the scholarship. Because his family believed in him and because this humble young man believed in himself, he earned the gift of an education rarely given to students who come from communities like Gio.
I was inspired by Gio and his family. His parents’ dedication to doing what needed to be done to ensure his future success, Gio’s commitment to working outside of school to earn money, and the family’s willingness to take a risk inspired me to take a risk of my own – to start this GoFundMe for Gio. I hope to be as successful in this endeavor as Gio has been in his educational journey.
Organizer
Leota Patrick
Organizer
Scottsdale, AZ