Natalie S. has a heart for kids. Not only does she look after her three younger siblings, this Girl on the Rise is passionate about a future career as a social worker or kindergarten teacher. In addition to pursuing her Master of Social Work degree, she also in interested in exploring the creative fields, too, including filmmaking, interior design, and music.

What is something you are most proud of?

I am most proud of pushing through school and family, life trauma, and still having a positive attitude throughout all of it.

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

To this day, I am working through tough challenges, such as family trauma, while doing school work, sports, and still taking care of my three little siblings to make sure they have something to eat at night and that their homework is completed. Through all of it, I still keep a positive mindset and turn in assignments, go to sports games, and participate in school events.

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

It means a lot because I am the first generation in my family to have this opportunity to go and pursue my dream of school and become what I always wanted to be as a little kid.

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

I want to be a social worker or a kindergarten teacher because they both help kids and that is what inspires me! I want to help kids feel safe and let them know that there is someone who cares for them.

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?

It is important to visit my prospective colleges to see which one is better for my majors in my dream career categories; it will be helpful when deciding which road to take.

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

University of California, Berkeley!