Ever since her father passed away when she was younger, Asha started taking steps that would lead her to a better life. That’s when she started feeling like the future could be a much better place — because it was in her hands. Now, a senior at Wynandotte High School, she has accomplished a lot on the path to her professional dream of becoming a Registered Nurse or a dental hygienist. She has her sights set on University of Missouri – Kansas City or Metropolitan Community College after she graduates in May 2020. Here’s what else she had to say.

What is something you are most proud of?

This year, I am proud of being accepted to KC Scholars and being selected for the Girls on the Rise program. I am also proud of taking a college class while I was a junior and for getting into the CNA program for my senior year. I also recently completed an internship with Learning Club. I am proud of how hard I have worked this past school year while also having a job.

Have you gone through any tough or challenging times? If yes, how did you deal with those challenges?

The biggest challenge I have faced was my father’s death. It was hard for me because I felt like I had nobody to take care of me. My mother was sick at the time and unable to take care of me. I felt like I had to grow up early and take care of myself. I missed out on a lot of things for that reason, and sometimes I felt like I was doing everything wrong because I was just a kid. It felt scary when I had nobody to look up to. But, I would always think about my future and how I could make things better.

What does it mean to you to be selected as a Girl on the Rise?

It means a lot to be a part of Girls on the Rise because the program is helping create the vision I’ve had since I was a kid. I don’t let anything discourage me from pursuing my dream because I don’t want to let my dream just be a dream. So, it means a lot to receive support from GOTR because it encourages me to work harder in reaching my goals and achieving my dreams.

What inspired you to want to be involved with Girls on the Rise?

My childhood inspired me to be involved with Girls on the Rise because that’s where all my ambition to have a great future comes from. I didn’t have a great childhood, so I’m doing everything I can to live a better life. Being a part of the Girls on the Rise program is turning my vision into real life.

How will funding from the 1,000 Dreams Fund help you reach your goals? In other words: Why is the opportunity to visit your prospective colleges important to your journey?

Visiting colleges is important to me because I am a visual person who likes to see things — especially the place I’m going to be in the future. I like the opportunity that Girls on the Rise is giving me because I want to go to a college I feel comfortable at.

What schools will you use the funding to visit, and why?

The schools I’m planning on visiting with the funding from Girls on the Rise are University of Missouri – Kansas City for their dental hygienist program and Metropolitan Community College for their nursing program.