A little over a year ago, Jack was devastated to learn he was wait-listed to the University of Washington. The news crushed him. He felt all the hard work he had put into his high school academics meant nothing as the state schools he was accepted to would have admitted him without his high academic achievements. Although Jack had been accepted to the College of Engineering at Cal Poly SLO in California, we didn’t even consider it due to the high cost of going to an out-of-state school.

We went to the admit day for the state school he thought he would go to. There was not a single student or staff member there to represent the Computer and Electrical Engineering program, to chat with or give a tour, even though that day was designated for prospective engineering students. The computer engineering and electrical engineering floor of the engineering building was completely dark with the classroom and faculty office doors locked. Although disappointing, it turned out to be blessing in disguise, as that is when we started to actually consider Cal Poly. We knew that Jack’s brain was wired for physics and math, and he needed to be at a school that would truly engage his talents and passion.

So we started to dream! We got the crazy idea to see if we could inspire 6,000 people to donate $10 each, to be able to get Jack to Cal Poly. We put it out there, and YOU, our dear supporters, responded! We want you to know that every dollar you have contributed to Jack’s journey has been appreciated, valued, and Jack has made the absolute most of the opportunity you have helped provide!

Jack is currently in the middle of his third and final quarter of his freshman year. We are so proud of his achievements - his grades were stellar both Fall and Winter quarters, making the Dean's List, and his grades continue to be excellent thus far through Spring Quarter.

In the beginning of fall quarter, Jack was elected as one of the local Vice Presidents on the Inter-Housing Council. Later in the quarter, he worked hard on an application to be a Resident Assistant for the next school year. He went through rigorous interviews the beginning of winter quarter, and was ultimately offered a position as a Resident Assistant for the academic year 2025-2026.

Jack will be home in mid-June and resume his work as a day camp counselor for the city's day camp program.

Here is our original Story:

For Jack Flash Smevik, organized by Jack Flash and Leslie Carter

We are on a mission to inspire 6,000 people to donate $10 each!

Today we celebrate Jack Flash, worthy of the epic song he was named for – Jumping Jack Flash by the Rolling Stones . The anthem plays out in real time as he is doing everything he can to get to the best college to support his talents and temperament and fulfil his dream of becoming an Electrical Engineer! Jack’s goal is to combine his aptitude for math and physics with his creativity and his desire to engineer solutions that will help uplift society and solve complex problems facing the world. Wonderfully, he was accepted into the College of Engineering at Cal Poly SLO , one of the best schools for engineering on the West Coast! An absolute GAS! GAS! GAS! But oh, how he howled in the driving rain when he discovered the high cost of going to this exceptional College, which without help, is financially out of reach for him!

We are seeking 6,000 people to donate $10 each! Jack’s campaign goal is to raise 25% of the cost to attend as an undergraduate; the rest will be paid for with hard work by him, his parents, and undoubtedly student loans. Jack is grateful for all the help he’s received and will receive on this journey. We would not be here on GoFundMe making a plea if we did not have significant hardship and challenges, but since this appeal is very public (and hopefully going viral!) we don’t want Jack’s identity to be about adversity, but rather embracing the moment and going for your dreams! Please learn more about where your $10 investment will go:

Jack has excelled in academics, music, work, and so many other areas in life. He applied to colleges with a 4.09 GPA, a 1510 SAT score, Junior year AP exams scores Calculus AB - 5, Computer Science - 5, Language - 5, Physics - 4 (all while holding down a McDonalds job 20 hours a week!). He’s been a member of the National Honor Society for five years and as a Senior is continuing his STEM focus and will soon be taking more AP exams for Statistics, Environmental Science, and Calculus BC.

Jack’s academic achievements have also been punctuated by his love for music. He’s learned and performed on piano, clarinet, Bari Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, electric keyboards and Keytar. As a young musician, he recruited his friends to form a rock band called "the Good Ideas" (check him out on keyboards here). Through hard work and practice they became so good they played professional shows for city festivals, charity benefits, and several school assemblies. Unfortunately, the pandemic derailed the rock band, but Jack kept at it, continuing in early morning Jazz Band throughout both junior high and high school, performing in Concert and Wind Ensemble Bands, and donning the Scottish uniform to perform in Marching Band at football games, assemblies, and parades.

As a Junior, Jack participated in the YMCA’s Teen Leadership Development Institute where he learned skills he leveraged to become an energetic and empathetic day camp leader for our city's day camp program, working full time last summer serving youth ages 5-11. He has also worked for the camps during all of his school breaks as a Senior and will be leading youth in day camps again full-time this summer before he starts college