Investing In Michael Mazyck Is Paying Off
Michael Mazyck is the first person in his family to graduate high school, which he did a semester early, as Valedictorian. He is now a freshman in college majoring in mechanical engineering. He is just one of the 9,575 students and adults served by Trident United Way’s education initiatives in the Lowcountry.
Michael started his journey with Trident United Way’s partner Metanoia over ten years ago. Metanoia’s Youth Leadership Pipeline participants are recommended by their teachers for showing leadership potential, and spend every day after school working on leadership skills. They receive focused homework tutoring, a healthy meal and opportunity for physical exercise.
Michael and his classmates also worked as entrepreneurs in the student-driven tee-shirt business, “Hodari Brothers.”
“It’s fun and it teaches character, excellence, and how to be an entrepreneur,” says Michael of his experience with Hodari. “It was empowering to me to see how to run a business and make it successful.”
Michael received an essay-based scholarship for $1,000 for academic excellence and a $5,000 match from Metanoia from his own savings, and aspires to use his degree to open his own mechanic shop in North Charleston, with the hope of giving back to his community:
“People who contribute to Trident United Way and Metanoia should keep on contributing,” Michael said. “It’s a wonderful program, and they help children. I want to work at a car dealership making good cars – that would be my philanthropy. I want to give back to the Metanoia community.”