The cost of reaching our dreams goes way beyond college tuition. Maria Donnelly wants to pursue a career in graphic design, and the very basic design programs (plus technology!) are expensive. As a recipient of the 1,000 Dreams Fund grant, she looks forward to heading off to college well-prepared.

How will you use funding from the 1,000 Dreams Fund?

I will be using the grant to buy a computer to use in college next year to study graphic design.

How is this helping you get closer to your dream?

This is helping me get closer to my dream because the price of graphic design programs and technology are expensive.

What advice do you have for other young women?

Don’t let a big dream scare you and don’t let anyone tell you that will not help you in life!

Any setbacks? How did you get around them?

Many people thought that it was not wise to go into something in which not many people straight out of college get jobs. But I didn’t let them stop me. I knew that if I was determined, I could do anything I set my mind to.

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

Next for me is college! But first, my goal is to have a good time and to get an internship abroad in the summer.