Heena is the first in her family to attend college and the Stanley Ann Dunham scholarship will allow her to pursue a degree in the technology field. She will attend the University of Washington this fall and plans to continue volunteering to raise awareness about the importance of mental health care and self-care.

“Transitioning during the first couple of weeks was very difficult socially and emotionally since I was living away from family and friends for the first time. However, after a couple of weeks I became more comfortable with my schedule and now have a solid routine that helps me balance my schoolwork and free time.”

“Kate would tell you that it is impossible to encapsulate her strong passions morals and values in such a small space she works two jobs, plays three sports, volunteers and more. Kate will pursue a business degree from the University of California – Los Angeles, and she will leverage her degree to become an executive one day.”

“Hello, my name is Saniya Sampson. I attend Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. I’m majoring in political science with a concentration in Pre-Law. Transitioning into college was overwhelming at first, considering that I am so far from home, but it has gotten better. The course load isn’t too bad and I’m getting better at managing my time. Overall, I love my school, and my Spel-sisters have made it easier to adapt.”

“I will be attending the University of Washington, and I’ve just recently registered for classes that are engrossed in bio as my hopeful major. And as of right now, I’m in contact with advisors at UW and also my CSF coach to help transition me into a whole different world. Even though it seems like it’s a lot, I’m hoping that I’ll be able to hold on and persevere through these next four years of college at UW.”

“My name is Gigi, and I am a student at the University of Washington – Seattle. For me, the transition from high school to college life is both extremely nerve-racking and exciting. I had moved into a dorm to meet new people and become more self-sufficient. I also got a job in order to support myself financially while attending college. Balancing work and school can be challenging at times, but exercise and meditation allows me to relax. Although transitioning to college can be difficult, I like to use this time to learn more about myself and push myself further.“