“In the future, I plan to become an entrepreneur in real estate to provide for my family as much as I can and work in a field that none of my family has been in!” says Kiani T., a senior at June Jordan High School in San Francisco, California. The Girl on the Rise is considering a major in marketing or financing and hopes to attend her dream school: Clark University.

What is something you are most proud of?

I am most proud of being able to still focus on school even though I didn’t have the support I wanted or needed educationally.

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

Coming back to school after Covid and quarantining for a whole year was tough. I felt like I didn’t have much support — nor did my parents understand where I was coming from or check up on me. So, mentally, I was struggling. I dealt with the situation by listening to music and just writing down how I felt.

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

It means so much to me, as I feel like Girls on the Rise is dedicated to me fulfilling my dreams and attending college. I am so appreciative because it’s giving me the opportunity that not many have.

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

What inspired me to be part of girls on the rise was all the support you offered.

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?

This funding will help me reach my goals because it’s giving me more motivation to attend college and continue my education to fulfill my dream of being an entrepreneur. The opportunity to visit prospective colleges is important to me because it gives me options and the chance to explore what’s around and help me find the best-fit college for me.

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

I am planning on using this funding to visit colleges that are in state because I’m not sure if I am ready to step out that far and go out of state yet.