Brentwood Student Has The Opportunity Of A Lifetime

With just over 50,000 residents, Brentwood California is most well known for its vibrant farming community along with it’s commitment to children and families alike. In some ways, it’s no surprise that a young person would go off to do great things after having grown up in this picturesque town, but then again this is also no ordinary story.

I’d like to introduce you to fourteen year old Marlee Hawkins who is the oldest of five siblings. Her faith in Jesus Christ has been her rock and without it, nothing is possible. Marlee attends Harvest Time Church where she often volunteers with Pastor Tammy Welence on Sundays. She is grateful for the support from Assemblies of God, Pastor Dennis Reynolds and Pastor Cindi Reynolds. Marlee is an accomplished singer and flautist and the family was once told “her IQ is on the level of Einstein”. The irony is that Marlee believes everyone else sings better, plays the flute better and is smarter then she is. She’s the kind of young women who lives simply and values the little things, like going to Willys for a jalapeño bagel.

From 2015 thru 2017, Marlee struggled with some pretty challenging circumstances although you’d never know it now. In 2017, she entered William B. Bristow Middle School with a heavy heart. During that time, Marlee was insistent on achieving her goals however her load was…