About the 20 Stories Series
To celebrate 20 years of impact, we're sharing 20 stories from the people who’ve made our journey possible. From past participants to longtime partners, these voices reflect the heart of our program. Each story highlights the voices, experiences, and milestones that shaped our community. This is one of them.
What was it like to make a decision about what you would do after graduating from high school? How was the planning process for you?
When I first met Ms. Shah, I already knew that I wanted to go to college after high school, but I didn’t know where I wanted to go. Ms. Shah made the planning process seem less overwhelming and made the whole process of applying, writing, and just everything in general so easy and less complicated. With Ms. Shah’s help applying to colleges, I felt more confident in all the steps and in myself.
How did Ms. Shah support you with planning for your life after high school? What is one memory you have of a time when she supported you?
Ms. Shah has supported me in countless ways, one specific one being where she helped me get out of my comfort zone and apply to colleges that seemed “out of my league” , but in the end I am so glad she helped me do that, because it opened my door to so many new opportunities.
What are your next steps? What role did Ms. Shah play in supporting you along your path to those next steps?
My next steps include attending William and Mary in the fall to study environmental engineering. Ms. Shah played a huge role in supporting my next steps as she nominated me for a full scholarship to William and Mary, to which I received and I cannot thank her enough, she is truly the best college counselor and is so easy to talk to about anything, especially the next steps after high school.
What are you most looking forward to about what you will do after high school (whether it's going to college, going to work, or enlisting in the military)?
I am looking forward to attending William and Mary and experiencing college life, while also studying environmental engineering.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your time with Ms. Shah?
Ms. Shah is the absolute best, is so caring towards everyone, makes you feel so welcome, and it is so easy to talk and relate to her. I truly enjoyed my time with her and will miss having her as someone to talk to.