Aspiring scientist makes breakthrough to Howard University

Campaigning for less than a month, Yashieka Fearon, the brilliant Manchester High School student who was using the GoFundMe platform to pursue her dreams of attending the prestigious Howard University, on Thursday, surpassed her target of US$21,990 (approximately J$3.2 million).

Fearon, who received nine ones at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate level and four ones and a two in Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), began her college application process in December of 2019. She was accepted by more than 20 colleges, many offering full scholarships, including her first choice, Howard University in Washington.

However, with the full-tuition scholarship valued at US$27,000 per annum and the tuition plus boarding fee amounting to US$48,080, Fearon realised that the additional costs placed her school of choice out of her reach. While mulling how to proceed, she was approached by Sol Adventurers Foundation, a non-profit based in California, which started the GoFundMe account to help her achieve her dreams.

Up to press time, the GoFundMe campaign had raised US$23,215. This exceeded her target by US$1,225.

“I feel excited and overwhelmed. I am just happy that it surpassed its goal. I am just looking forward to attending Howard now. I was advised to start a YouTube channel so that people who were engaged in the campaign can follow me on the journey to Howard, so all of us can go to Howard in August. I am just grateful and thankful to everyone who has been on the journey with me, to those who have already subscribed to my channel, and I am just excited that they want to come on this journey,” Fearon told The Gleaner.

As the 19-year-old aspiring pharmaceutical scientist looks ahead to tertiary studies, Fearon shared that she would be devoting most of her time in preparation for the final sitting of CAPE exams.