|
Published: August 09, 2006 06:32 pm
Never Empty Nest: Small town to MIT
By Kelly Kazek
CNHI News Service
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. —
Loping into MIT’s Strata Center for Computer, Information and Intelligence Services , Joel Cofield, 17, could be taken for a future math professor or boy wizard Harry Potter.
The soft-spoken and gangly 6-foot teenager doesn’t seem to mind that he’s hundreds of miles from his home in small-town Georgia for the first time, and preparing to enter one of the world’s most famous engineering schools on a full scholarship. “When I found out I was coming here, I didn’t know exactly how it was going to work out,” he said. “I was going to try to make it work no matter what. Appreciation is the only word for it.”
Raised by his grandmother Ruth Brewer in Monroe, Ga., from age 7, Joel was awarded a four-year scholarship valued at $184,000 to MIT this fall after receiving a perfect score in math on his Stanford Achievement Test.
But because Cofield’s high school did not offer all the courses necessary for entry, MIT officials enrolled him in a preparatory program this summer, giving him a head start on knowing his way around campus.
During a recent interview, Joel said he feels fortunate, not different, because of his background. He said he never really got to know his biological parents – his father died in a motorcycle accident and his mother has been out of the picture with drug and mental illness problems.
His grandmother always stressed the value of education in getting ahead in life, Joel said. And now he worries that at age 73 and in declining health, she could use his help at home with his 10-year-old sister, Nicole.
“On the way up here, one of the main things I thought about was that if anything were to happen while I’m here … ,” he said. “I’ll be gone for four years,” with the ambition of becoming a mathematician or a professor.
Joel said he worked hard to keep his perfect 4.0 grade point average in high school, but that he could not have accomplished academic success without the guidance of his grandmother.
“As my parent, she was always the person who paid for anything school related,” he said. “She also was the one who said, ‘You should do this and not that’ and stay out of trouble.”
Joel said his grandmother taught him to appreciate what he has, and not to whine when things don’t go his way or when he feels pained by parental discipline.
“Whenever I meet other people, it makes me have a different view when they talk about problems with their parents,” he said. “I can’t relate.”
Kelly Kazek is a CNHI News Service Elite Reporting Project Fellowship recipient. She writes for The News Courier in Athens, Ala.
|
|
 |
|
DENTAL HYGIENIST POSITION,
part time and or as needed. Send resume to P.O. Box 1172, Tompkinsville, KY 42167.
...>MORE
NOW HIRING OWNER OPERATORS
Call 270-678-7379....>MORE
ELECTRICIAN WANTED. KY LICENSE PREFERRED.
OSHA 10 hr. 10+ years exp., commercial, EOE, Drug free workplace. Job is located in Glasgow, KY. Interested applicants c...>MORE
ADULT THERAPIST
LifeSkills has a full-time Adult Therapist position available for our service center in Metcalfe County. The position is...>MORE
CAREER MINDED INDIVIDUALS SEARCHING FOR A HOME
We offer HOME ON WEEKENDS!!
2500 miles per week
100% no touch freight
No force dispatch to NYC. Safety & ...>MORE
EXPERIENCED DENTAL ASSISTANT NEEDED
to work 2-3 days a week in a busy dental office, emphasizing in oral surgery. Pay commensurate on experience & backgroun...>MORE
COMPLETE STEEL FABRICATION IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
for: IRONWORKER
*2-4 years
experience required
FABRICATOR
*2-4 years experience
required We offer:
great retirement prog...>MORE
MANAGEMENT (KEYHOLDER) POSITION WITH LOCAL
shoe store. Exciting career opportunity. Retail experience preferred. Competitive benefit package. Apply at SHOE SHOW, 2...>MORE
See all ads |
|
2002 HONDA TRIKE GL-1800
40k miles. Asking $27,000. For more info call 270-404-2959.
...>MORE
LOOKING FOR A GREAT AUTO DEAL?.....
Looking to buy or sell?
Check here for the Premium Auto Section.
You can post an ad with unlimited text and ...>MORE
93 CHEVROLET CONVERSION VAN,
123,000+ miles., new tires, runs & looks great. Must see. $1795 O.B.O. 453-3726 or 670-8131.
...>MORE
See all ads |
|
3 BR, 1 BA, HOUSE,
Garage, 113 Childress, $650 mo. Call 270-659-0059 anytime....>MORE
2 BR, 1 BA, C/H/A, W/D HOOKUP, STOVE, D/W,
refrigerator, storage unit furnished, rear deck. $400 mo. + $300 dep. 678-5982 or 670-5745.
...>MORE
GLASGOW CITY, LARGE 2 BR APARTMENT, C/H/A,
close to hospital, fridge & range furnished, W/D hook-up. Dep. & references required. $375 mo. Call 270-773-5189 or 270-...>MORE
ROOM MATE WANTED:
Will share monthly expenses in Glasgow city limits. Call Kelly at 270-590-6433.
...>MORE
PRODUCTIVE 55+ ACRE FARM FOR SALE.
Flat, fenced, cross fenced, cattle waters, pond, spring, 56x112 metal barn, 40x120 metal feed shed w/concrete floors, me...>MORE
2 BR TOWNHOUSES, LAUREL BROOK TOWNHOMES
(located behind Red Cross Elementary school on Lovers Lane) includes all our move-in special. Security Dep. $300. 270-78...>MORE
2 BR, 1 BA HOUSE, 307 N. GREEN.
Appliances furnished, detached garage, C/H/A $500 mo. + dep. & lease. Call 678-1068.
...>MORE
LOCAL BUSINESS SEEKING FULL-TIME BOOKKEEPER.
Minimum 2 years experience. QuickBooks knowledge required. Benefits available. Please send resume to Box DR, c/o The Gla...>MORE
2010 FLEETWOOD 24X46, 3 BR, 2 BA, APPLIANCES,
air, thermo windows. Delivered, setup & skirting, all for only $43,300. Goffs' Homes. 270-789-4092.
...>MORE
LIVE IN CAREGIVER NEEDED
for elderly woman. Will provide room and board to take care. 270-427-5468.
...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Owner-Operator
Right Road to
Success
Owner Operators
Fuel Discount
Excellent Fuel
Surcharge
Great Home T...>MORE
Drivers Wanted
By Invitation Only...
DRIVERS WANTED!
WHERE: Hogan
Transports
WHEN: NOW!
WHAT: Driving Op...>MORE
See all ads |
98 Buick Regal
95 Buick Regal,
132k mi., white,
$1250 Call
(317)242-8111
...>MORE
87 Chrysler
1987 Chrysler
LeBaron GTS,
Runs Good, de-
pendable $700 Firm
(217)275-3217
...>MORE
See all ads |
S 2 bdrm
Location Location
So. 2 bdr, appls, gar
nice, $595 299-3986
...>MORE
Kenbell Plaza
kenbell plaza
624 to 2,880 sq. ft.
office space availa-
ble for lease.
(812)234-4845...>MORE
See all ads |
CHristmas Trees
SELECT
CHRISTMAS TREES
(812)533-0921
...>MORE
Want to buy Baby Crib
Want to buy Baby
Crib. Dark Wood
Preferred 249-1068
...>MORE
See all ads |
|
|
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
