BENEFACTOR TO FUND COLLEGE FOR TEEN FACING DEPORTATION

Sacramento Bee
Fresno Bee
Aug 7 2008
CA

FRESNO – A generous benefactor has made a Bullard High School
valedictorian’s university hopes a reality.

Arthur Mkoyan, 17, said Wednesday that he’ll be attending the
University of California, Davis, thanks to a Danville woman who read
about his plight and decided to help him in a big way.

Mkoyan, whose college dream was nearly destroyed by deportation to
Armenia, will attend his first college choice after all.

A month ago, Mkoyan decided to go to Fresno City College because his
family couldn’t afford UC Davis and he didn’t qualify for state and
federal financial aid because he’s neither a U.S. citizen nor a legal
permanent resident.

Mkoyan’s benefactor, Sherry Heacox, was touched by his story and
decided to pay for his four years at UC Davis. Heacox operates a
food-import business from home. Her husband, Hank, is an engineer.

Mkoyan and his parents, who all faced deportation, were allowed to
stay in the United States after Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.,
introduced a private bill on Mkoyan’s behalf in June.