Kyle Doney

Growing up in a low-income area, I was consistently disappointed by the limited educational opportunities around me. My elementary and middle schools both fell under the Title-1 classification, meaning that unique learning opportunities were few and far between. I often felt unseen and ignored, as if my school system had forgotten I existed—and in a district of over 16,000 students, that wasn’t far from the truth. For thousands of low-income students like me, opportunity is scarce. That sense of invisibility ultimately became my motivation: I never wanted anyone else to feel the way I did. That’s why FIRST Robotics became so important to me as I got older: it gave me the chance to make a real difference in these kids' lives. It wasn’t just about making robots, but also about sharing that experience with thousands of younger students, many of whom came from backgrounds like mine. Through Robotics, I brought STEM programs to four more Title I schools in my city and stood up for true change, voice trembling but determined, fighting for STEM funding in underserved communities like mine. I reached out and built bridges with other nonprofits, forging shared missions so that no child would be left behind. I felt pride and gratitude as I watched dollars roll in from corporations and local shops, each check a vote for change. I dedicated countless hours to making a real difference in something I cared about, meeting hundreds of like-minded individuals determined to create a better world for the future, and, for the first time, my efforts had a heartbeat. I saw shy students transform, eyes wide, grinning as they dared believe in their engineering dreams. Meeting their hopeful gaze, I felt something I never had growing up: a conviction that opportunity didn’t have to be out of reach. Your funds will help ensure that many other students will get that same opportunity to find their voices.