Athena Owirodu is only 16 years old, but she’s already well on her way to reaching her dreams. The Texas native just graduated high school and is prepping to be a student at the University of Texas, Austin. After winning a $200 grant as part of our #RealSuperheroes Challenge, she spoke to us about her dreams and what’s next.

What is your dream?

My professional dream is to earn a degree and work in education or the pharmaceutical field. If I enter education, I plan on working with schools to ensure that each student has the proper access to resources they need to develop their knowledge and their passions.

With the pharmacy field, I plan on opening up my own lab to underprivileged students who otherwise wouldn’t have the ability to gain exposure to the STEM field.

How will you use the grant you received from the #RealSuperheroes Challenge?

I will use the grant to pay for books and other fees when attending college. While I still have a long way to go, I’m determined to make the best use of my time at UT Austin and utilize all the resources available to me!

What advice do you have for other young women?

It’s great to have dreams to work towards, but make sure to ask for help along the way when you need it! I’ve dealt with several bumps in the road that could have easily been fixed by asking a mentor for guidance or advice.

Take constructive criticism with grace and learn how to use it to your advantage.

Any setbacks?

I’ve received several rejections on my journey of applying to scholarships and grants to finance my education. Keeping a positive attitude helps me keep going. I also know that putting my best foot forward helps keep more doors open for me in the future.

So, what’s next for you?

I’ll continue to work on my goal of paying for college. I’ll also have a successful freshman year by staying on top of classes and getting involved on campus!