El Tio Tex-Mex Grill at the Virginia Gateway Center in Gainesville will hold a spirit night Wednesday, April 23 from 5 p.m. to closing to benefit a student who would like to study abroad.
Parker Frentress is a seventh grade student at Marsteller Middle School. He has decided that he would like to spend his ninth grade year studying abroad in France, because he believes in taking all of life's opportunities.
Frentress explains his decision to study abroad in his spirit night poster.
“I have though it over and over about applying to a high school here in Virginia, but I have also thought of all the opportunities that could occur by going to school in another country. I have a great adventurous mind, and want to learn and connect with many different cultures.”
To make that happen, Frentress has contacted several businesses asking them to aid him in pursuing his dream. He is looking to raise $15,000 for his trip to cover tuition, plane fare and living expenses.
El Tio will be his first fundraiser.
Parker said his dreams for pursuing new educational opportunities began in the fifth grade.
"I had a wonderful teacher who showed me that I can do anything as long as I do it right," he said.
With his teacher's encouragement, he applied to the math and science program at Marsteller Middle School. After realizing that taking a chance on his future had paid off, he decided to become more adventure in his educational pursuits.
“I think that my science teachers have really impacted my decision making this year," Frentress said, explaining that they always encourage him to dream big and take chances.
Frentress believes one of his favorite quotes from Albert Einstein explains his desire to experience a different culture. It says, “Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”
Now Frentress wants to apply the same kind of pioneering spirit he applied to math and science to arts and culture. He values the opportunity to learn through new experiences as well as in the classroom. He expects that if he lives in France for a year, he will gain new relationships and become more mature in the process.
Parker’s mother, Kim Lippold, explained that Parker has been interested in studying abroad for the past six months. At first, he was interested in attending a summer program through People to People International. After he did more research, he learned of a yearlong program and thought that would be preferable.
Lippold told Parker to try to “raise as much money as you can,” telling him that he would be able to attend the yearlong program if he raised enough, and could fall back on a semester long or summer program if he did not.
Lippold said that Parker always wanted to go to France, and witnessing other exchange programs showed him a way to do so as a high school student.
She said they have started with the El Tio fundraiser, and may do another in the fall. Frentress is also raising money online via Fundly at www.fundly.com/a-student-with-a-chance.com
However, Frentress said people should go to Spirit Night at El Tio’s even if they are just going for the “scrumptious” food. In doing so, 10 percent of the proceeds will go towards his trip.
“Everyone needs to eat,” he said. “Enjoy a taco or quesadilla and have a great time with your family.”
Although there are no French restaurants locally, Frentress was thankful that El Tio, one of his favorite restaurants, was able to help him out with his cause.
“Their food is great and I could eat there every day," he said.
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