Grant Minnihan says he likes to plan out his schedule as far in advance as he can, but something he didn't plan for led him to his intended career.
The Sycamore High School senior took part in two church missions to Haiti; one involved his group going up a mountain, and they were supposed to use three donkeys -- but only one was provided, and it ran away. That forced the group to make a long climb up to their destination, and some had to turn back; but Grant made it, and saw up close the difficult conditions so many of the locals have to deal with -- including the children, many of home were in this location because they were essentially sold into slavery by their parents.
Seeing the poor hygiene and lack of fresh water in this area compelled him to seek out a career as a humanitarian engineer; on graduation, he hopes to attend either the Colorado School of Mines, or Michigan Tech, to learn how to bring modern conveniences to these underdeveloped areas.
As the Rotary Club's Student of the Month, Grant received $100 for donation to the charity of his choice; he has selected Neighbor's House, which provides homework help and literacy assistance to children from low-income families.