I would take 5 impoverished middle-school kids, and put them to work on some public works projects, 8 hours a day for 4 weeks. If they can read or write, they'd

I would take 5 impoverished middle-school kids, and put them to work on some public works projects, 8 hours a day for 4 weeks. If they can read or write, they'd work in an elementary school teaching first graders to read. If they can't read or write, they'd work on school facilities, painting, emptying trash cans, cleaning gymnasium floors. Each would be paid the $4000 share of the $20000, in the form of a trust fund for college. After the four weeks they'd return to school, hopefully knowing what work is, and able to connect it to their schooling. Or I'd spend all 20k on one kid, to pay for a piano and lessons for as long as the cash held out. Might need to pay someone parent-like to enforce practice, that's the hardest part. Both solutions require someone to teach self-discipline.