Scholars of Minnesota-COPE Project is holding its Fifth Annual Scholarship Program Fundraiser/Gala on Sunday, August 15, 2010, from 4 to 8:30 pm at the Airport Hilton Hotel/Bloomington, Minnesota. This year’s guest speaker for the evening will be scholar/child prodigy Stephen Stafford II, a 14-year-old student currently attending Morehouse College.
According to Stafford’s biographical statement, “…Whe Stephen’s parents enrolled him in Stanford University’s Education Program for Gifted Youth, that Stephen soared into advanced mathematics and began mastering… geometry at age seven and algebra two years later.
“Soon after, Stephen was then allowed to audit a course at Morehouse College once his talents outpaced his mother’s ability to teach him. There Stephen scored the highest averages in both his college honors algebra and pre-calculus at the age of 11 and was honored by the college’s mathematics department.
“Stephen uses his gifts in mathematics and computer science to uplift other students. Stephen tutors students in K-12 schools as well as students twice his age enrolled at Morehouse in both subjects. He also lends his programming talents to projects on campus while offering technical assistance in the college’s computer lab.
“In addition, Stephen speaks to youth in schools, churches and community organizations in hopes that they will choose education as a means to better their lives. Stephen has even contributed his talents and notoriety to scholarship committees for the purpose of making education available to more youth.”
The COPE Project mentors community youth, provides scholarships, and acknowledges outstanding students in the metropolitan areas.