Micaela Carter: Finding Her Future

I first heard about KC Scholars through my high school since I’m a first-gen student and met the financial requirements. Now I’m a junior at Avila University majoring in social work, and my goal is to become an elementary school social worker.

My mom has always encouraged me to go after my goals, but I didn’t want the cost of college to be just another stress or weight on her shoulders. KC Scholars helped take that pressure off and gave me the chance to really focus on school and my future without worrying so much about money.

Besides the scholarship itself, the program has given me a real support system. My Scholar Advocate, Nicole Davis, is seriously one of the kindest people I’ve met. Whether I’ve had a random question or just needed someone to check in, she’s been there without hesitation. Knowing I have someone in my corner has meant a lot, especially when things have felt overwhelming.

What I love most is that KC Scholars has helped me go after something I’m really passionate about. Helping kids. When I was dealing with grief, I had two different school social workers who helped me through it. Their kindness, patience, and support stuck with me in a way I’ll never forget. They left a lifelong impact on me, and now I want to be that person for future students. Someone they can rely on during the hard stuff.

One thing I’ll always carry with me is the feeling of making my family proud, especially those who are no longer here. I think about them often, and it pushes me to keep going.

One of my favorite memories from college has been finding my people in the social work program. It’s such a great feeling to be surrounded by people who just get you and care about the same things. It’s made college feel more like home.

KC Scholars isn’t just about the money. It’s about having people who believe in you, cheer you on, and remind you that you’re not doing this alone. If you’re thinking about applying, seriously do it. It changed my life in the best way.

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