The Next John Hopps..

For those that don't know who John Hopps is, he invented the world's first pacemaker. Now Spencer may not be the next John Hopps and he not ever want to do research again but I wanted to take this time to acknowledge him anyway.

(Spenc with my grandpa, who did LOTS of research and couldn't be more proud of Spencer.)

About two and a half years ago, Spencer mentioned a research program that he was interested in and he knew that it would be very beneficial for him if he decided to do medical school. However, He knew that he grades were a little lower and he wasn't sure that he really qualified to apply for the program. It took some convincing but I talked him into applying. I told him that he had nothing to lose. If he didn't get into the program, "Oh well" but if he did then he "Just earned himself a great opportunity." I helped him put together an application letter and he sent everything in.

(Proud grandma and mom)

To his huge surprise (not mine) he was accepted and started the program in 2008. As part of the program he had to study research and then present it to the class. Starting his second year of the program he had to work with a research lab and then present the research at a "research fair" (for lack of a better term). The "fair" was open to the public and was considered the students' final "project" or "test," if you will. Spencer worked hard and even had to work the night before the fair, which meant that he would get off at 7am the day of the "fair." He may have been exhausted but he did fantastic.

(The finished product.)

However, it wasn't always an easy trip to the end of this program. There came a point that Spencer was feeling very overwhelmed and as if the program may be of no benefit to him anymore because he was no longer going to medical school. He also was frustrated because he had to maintain a status of a full time student in order to be in the program. Overall, there was a number of things that went into him being stressed out with the program and even at one point thinking it might be better for him to step down from the program but he pushed through and I am so proud of him!