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Aubrey Hunter is a very busy guy. He plays the drums at school and church, and is involved in several clubs at school – including break dancing, DJ‐ing, and bike club. He also trained for and ran the L.A. Marathon. One might think he would not have time to think about the future. Not so.
This young man has already started thinking about where he might like to go to college and what he might like to be when he grows up – a business owner, perhaps, or maybe a judge.
In March of this year, a gang related shooting caught 5 students and 3 adults in the cross fire at a bus stop near Aubrey's school in South Los Angeles. It is tough growing up around such violence, Aubrey admits, but he is determined to stay focused and succeed.
"College will help you get an education, so stay in school," says the middle school student, "the most important thing you don’t want to do is throw your education away."
"Stay away from distractions and anything bad or gang related," Aubrey advises other students who are looking to be successful on their road to college, agreeing that he’ll have to continue to take his own advice as he advances to 8th grade.
Aubrey is no stranger to obstacles. "I'm a child of a hard working single parent. We don't have much and my mom manages to keep food on the table every night for me and my little brother. She keeps me active in lots of activities to keep me grounded and out of trouble."
"We don't have the money to pay for a college education," he says. A worry echoed by an ever growing majority of low‐income young people in the state.
In August 2008 Aubrey spoke before a crowd of 500 people at the State Capitol in Sacramento and met with legislators including Assemblyman Mike Davis to tell them why he thought it was important that California save students in his community a spot in college.
Aubrey is hopeful. He feels confident that the "Save Me a Spot in College" scholarship is a sign that there are more out there – and he’ll be looking for them.
Aubrey's winning essay:
My name is Aubrey Hunter and I attend George Washington Carver Middle School, in Los Angeles, California, where I am in the seventh grade. As I have written to you before I have accomplished many things in my life as a twelve year old student. I just recently received a medal for running in the L.A. Marathon, which was 26 miles long. That was the biggest accomplishment I have ever achieved. I enjoy playing the drums in our school band along with playing in my church. I am also involved in the Woodcraft Ranger's/LA Bridges after school program. There I've learned disc jockey skills as well as break dancing. I really enjoy being a kid, but I know that one day I will grow up and need to prepare for my future.
Although, I have achieved personal goals I have a financial hump that I need to get over. I'm a child of a hard working single parent. We don't have much and she manages to keep food on the table every night for me and my little brother. She keeps me active in lots of activities to keep me grounded and out of trouble. This Save Me A Spot in College Scholarship will lift the financial burden off my mother's shoulders in helping me finance a college education. Even though I know that my mother would do her best to support me in furthering my education, we don’t have the money to pay for a college education. I feel if I were to receive this scholarship, it would pave the way towards a better lifestyle upon completion of a college degree. I want to become a judge like the Honorable Greg Mathis. If a second chance is necessary to give someone I would like to be that one to do that. But if a second chance has already been given they need to be put in jail for continuing to repeat crimes that harm innocent people, especially gang bangers.
I don't like to watch my mother struggle to make ends meet and the economy is not making it any easier for low income families these days. By giving me this scholarship, I know that it won't solve all of my families' financial problems but it would be a great step towards my future career. Going to college is a necessary step in achieving my career goals and giving back to my community. The reason why a spot should be saved for me in college is because I am a well rounded student with career goals, my talents reach beyond the classroom and I want to have an impact on my community. Is there a spot in college, saved for me? | 
