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Homeless Teen Scholar Invited To State Of The Union Address
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 17, 2012
Modified Jan 17, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 17, 2012
Modified Jan 17, 2012
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Awww: Samantha Garvey, the Long Island teen whose story of academic success amid family difficulty inspired many, may be headed to Washington D.C. for the State of the Union Address. Rep. Steve Israel invited Garvey to be his guest; he told Newsday, "The State of the Union attracts the most powerful people on Earth, but I really think Samantha can teach them all a lesson in perseverance."
Garvey is one of 300 semi-finalists in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search. Newsday featured her on its front cover, noting that her family is currently living in a homeless shelter ever since they were kicked out of their home at the start of the year (her parents were in a car accident last year, causing work issues). Her plight, and determination, prompted Suffolk County officials to find a home for them.
Her father implied his daughter was heading there, "She can't wait. She deserves it. She needs to meet people like that." Israel isn't sure if President Obama will note her in the speech but he said, "She is the epitome of the American dream. She worked hard and she is a story that I want to share with my colleagues and even with the president of the United States."
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homeless
inspiring
intel science talent search
long island
samantha garvey
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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