Michael grew up in Hartford, CT with my older sister, mother and father who all three had been born in Portugal. He is the first and only in his family to go to college and be born in the United States. Michael didn’t learn English until he began to interact with kids in elementary school. When he was 15 his family moved into a suburb West of Hartford, where he was faced with many obstacles that he learned to deal with and prepare himself to attend college. Michael is currently planning on graduating from Central Connecticut State University this December of 2008 with a degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. When Michael began college he had no clue what he wanted to focus his studies on. During his first two years he realized that he enjoyed interacting with people and working with them to deal with the problems they face. He decided then that he wanted to work in the psychology/social work field which he enjoys and simultaneously help benefit others. Michael believes that people need a helping hand at certain points in their lives, "so why not be the person that can help." Michael is an avid fisherman, he loves the outdoors and camping, he also loves to travel and explore new cultures. Michael spent last summer on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, the summer before that he traveled to the island of The Dominican Republic. He also loves the Red sox and all type of sports.