Shine a Light: David Boone Jr.

Take a look at the life of our Shine a Light recipient.

Shining Star - David Boone Jr., a Cleveland, Ohio, native, is the inaugural salutatorian at the MC²STEM High School, a Minds Matter participant, and holds a school record for running.(Photo: The Plain Dealer/Landov)

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Shining Star - David Boone Jr., a Cleveland, Ohio, native, is the inaugural salutatorian at the MC²STEM High School, a Minds Matter participant, and holds a school record for running.(Photo: The Plain Dealer/Landov)

Poetry Slam - David's interests include engineering, poetry and changing the world, which he's helping to do by mentoring younger students in his community and by becoming a member of Cleveland's SLAMU spoken-word program. (Photo: Courtesy SlamU/Playhouse Square)

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Poetry Slam - David's interests include engineering, poetry and changing the world, which he's helping to do by mentoring younger students in his community and by becoming a member of Cleveland's SLAMU spoken-word program. (Photo: Courtesy SlamU/Playhouse Square)

"Enginuity" - As co-founder of STEALTH, MC²'s engineering club, he discovered a passion for innovation and, in turn, opportunities in the field of engineering.(Photo: The Plain Dealer/Landov)

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"Enginuity" - As co-founder of STEALTH, MC²'s engineering club, he discovered a passion for innovation and, in turn, opportunities in the field of engineering.(Photo: The Plain Dealer/Landov)

Powerful Drive - During his sophomore year in high school, David worked with engineers at General Electric and completed a summer internship with Rockwell Automation. He then went on to work with Lockheed Martin during his junior and senior year. (Photo: Mike Simons/Getty Images)

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Powerful Drive - During his sophomore year in high school, David worked with engineers at General Electric and completed a summer internship with Rockwell Automation. He then went on to work with Lockheed Martin during his junior and senior year. (Photo: Mike Simons/Getty Images)

Getting Ahead - David also spent a summer studying at MIT in the Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science program where he learned what it takes to perform in a competitive environment.(Photo: Courtesy MIT)

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Getting Ahead - David also spent a summer studying at MIT in the Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science program where he learned what it takes to perform in a competitive environment.(Photo: Courtesy MIT)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy MIT

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Overcoming the Odds - Despite facing obstacles such as health issues and homelessness, David maintained a 4.0 average and a part-time job.(Photo: The Plain Dealer/Landov)

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Overcoming the Odds - Despite facing obstacles such as health issues and homelessness, David maintained a 4.0 average and a part-time job.(Photo: The Plain Dealer/Landov)

Marching Forward - He now lives with his best friend Eric's family and has earned two years of college credit at Cleveland State University. (Photo: Courtesy Cleveland State University)

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Marching Forward - He now lives with his best friend Eric's family and has earned two years of college credit at Cleveland State University. (Photo: Courtesy Cleveland State University)

Ivy League - He'll be attending Harvard University in the fall and is concentrating in electrical engineering and computer science. His goal: to return to Cleveland and influence the great change necessary to help the youth thrive.  (Photo: Courtesy of Harvard.edu)

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Ivy League - He'll be attending Harvard University in the fall and is concentrating in electrical engineering and computer science. His goal: to return to Cleveland and influence the great change necessary to help the youth thrive.  (Photo: Courtesy of Harvard.edu)