Eden may only be a junior in high school. But, the 16-year-old is already dual-enrolled at Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia. The 1,000 Dreams Fund Scholarship recipient turned a high-school challenge into a high-reaching triumph when she auditioned and was accepted into Clayton State’s orchestra. Read on to learn more about this musically gifted student.

What is your professional dream?

I would like to incorporate music and art into therapy as a Music Therapist – Board Certified (MT-BC) or as a Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nurse (PMH-APRN) — or become a music teacher and teach music to children and teens.

How will you use the 1,000 Dreams Scholarship?

I will use the scholarship to help pay for my college classes at Clayton State.

How is this scholarship helping you get closer to your dream? 

The funding for my college classes at Clayton State will help move me closer to a career involving music.

What advice do you have for other young women who are wanting to pursue their dreams?

Despite what others may tell you, you don’t have to follow the crowd and you don’t have to be like everybody else. You can create your own path. Find what works best for you!

Have you had any setbacks? How did you move past them?

In my high school orchestra class, I had concerns about the behavior of the new orchestra teacher and the constant chaos in the classroom. I addressed this with administration, but his behavior continued and the chaos did, too. In turn, I was made a target in the classroom and I did not re-enroll in orchestra as a sophomore. Despite this setback, I motivated myself to join a community orchestra and I played with them for one season. Then, I tried out for the Clayton State University Orchestra — and I am now a 16-year-old high school junior who is dual-enrolled in college!

What’s next for you? What is your next goal?

I will continue my college music studies with the hopes of earning a music degree by 2022.