After spending time in the foster system herself, Cherish now uses her experience and University of Michigan education to support youth in foster care.

Blavin Scholar Toree shares her story to show how gifts that are provided to the program make a difference!

BlavinScholars.org: What degree(s) will you be receiving this spring?

Kimberly: I will be receiving a Bachelor of Science in the field of Social Work.

BlavinScholars.org: What awards or honors have you received while at NAU?

Kimberly: For all four years of my college career I have been a member of the Blavin Scholars, on the Dean’s Honor List, and recipient of the Raymond Educational Foundation and Dean’s Tuition Scholarships. For the Spring semester of my senior year, I was also inducted into the Phi Alpha honor society. 

BlavinScholars.org: What is your major and what inspired you to pursue that particular major?

Kimberly: I am a social work major. After having some difficulties with the nursing program, I had to face a change in majors. I picked social work because since I was a child, all I have wanted to do was help people in a meaningful way. Social work has provided me with so many opportunities to choose from, and they all provide lasting change.

BlavinScholars.org: What are your short-term goals for after graduation?

Kimberly: After graduation, I hope to get a position as a case manager with the county or the Department of Child Safety working with on-going case placements (such as foster care and adoption).

BlavinScholars.org: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Kimberly: In five years, I hope to have received my master’s degree in social work. I hope to be working with young adults who are preparing to age out of the foster care system. This population is greatly lacking support, and is often turned to adulthood unprepared. I hope to work as an individual social worker with the goal of making sure these youth have a solid start at life.

BlavinScholars.org: How have you grown as a person since first entering college?

Kimberly: I have grown in so many ways that I hardly recognize the person that I was when I entered college. I have become more confident in who I am as a person and what I have to offer to the world. I am more comfortable interacting with people that I don’t know, and with people from cultures that are very different than my own. I have a much richer appreciation for other cultures and perspectives, and I am constantly seeing what good people can offer to this world – rather than what bad things we are surrounded by. I also have a much stronger desire and passion to see this society change for the better, and for the first time I feel that I can be a part of that in a real and substantial way.

BlavinScholars.org: What excites you most about your future?

Kimberly: I am excited to be a positive force of change in this world. I feel that there is a lot of good that can be offered by people if you just know where to look and how to treat them – and I feel that NAU has taught to really value this point of view. I am looking forward to my Good Will Hunting moment!

BlavinScholars.org: What advice about higher education and life, in general, would you give to high school students who have experienced foster care?

Kimberly: As cheesy as it sounds – you CAN do it! It may feel like there is a lot going against you, and that there are always barriers keeping you from moving forward. The experiences that you have, and the things that you have been through should be motivation for you to continue on and make a difference in the world – to change the systems that have worked against you in a way that makes them work for the many other people that are going to be in them in the future. You have amazing potential, and you will do amazing things! Just don’t forget to look on the bright side and see the positive in as many places as you can.

BlavinScholars.org: What advice would you offer to incoming Blavin Scholars?

Kimberly: The Blavin Scholars is where you turn when it feels like you can’t do it anymore or when those systems are working against you again. It’s more than just money going towards your tuition, it’s a support system and a life line that truly cares about your success from start to finish. It’s a group that will provide life time connections, both personal and professional. It’s a family – lean on them!

BlavinScholars.org: What’s your biggest takeaway from your experience as a Blavin Scholar?

Kimberly: People are extremely resilient and overcome very traumatic situations. Everyone has potential to do something amazing, regardless of the hardships they have faced in their pasts. Another major take away for me is that sometimes it only takes one extremely caring and positive person to turn a person’s path around. One gentle hand can really guide a person towards growth. All it takes is one person to believe in you to make something feel possible – and I hope to always be that one person for my clients.

BlavinScholars.org: What degree(s) will you be receiving this spring?

Marti: Bachelors Degree in Social Work and minor in Ethnic Studies.

BlavinScholars.org: What awards or honors have you received while at NAU?

Marti: Gold Axe Award 2018, Outstanding Social Work Student 2017, National Residence Hall Honorary Bronze Pin and Award 2016, Blavin Scholar of the Month-August 2015,  Best Speech – STAR Fundamentals of Public Speaking 2014, STAR Certificate of Achievement 2014

BlavinScholars.org: What is your major and what inspired you to pursue that particular major?

Marti: My major is Social Work and I inspired myself to pursue this degree through the idea that there are people out there that need someone to care about them, even if it means lending an ear.

BlavinScholars.org: What are your short-term goals for after graduation?

Marti: My short-term goal after graduation is to find employment relating to my career to gain experience before I pursue graduate school for my Master’s in Social Work.

BlavinScholars.org: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Marti: Five years from now, I see myself as a successful woman who has established her own life. I will have my Master’s degree and possible license. I will have a career whether it is testing the waters in something new or something that I want to do for the rest of my life. I will be happy!

BlavinScholars.org: How have you grown as a person since first entering college?

Marti: Since entering college, I have grown in many ways and I can tell you why. Leadership. “If it doesn’t kill you, it only makes you stronger.” I never jumped up and said, “Oh, pick me! I want to be the leader.” People saw the leader within me and chose me. Through leadership, I have overcome my fears, increased my adaptability, managed my boundaries, took initiative, created many relationships, and learned through other’s examples whether they were bad or good. Leadership first chose me, then I chose leadership, but I decided how I wanted it to change me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and that is how I have grown throughout my college career.

BlavinScholars.org: What excites you most about your future?

Marti: What excites me most about my future is that I have people in my life to share it with.

BlavinScholars.org: What advice about higher education and life, in general, would you give to high school students who have experienced foster care?

Marti: Foster care does not define you. If you dream for something more, go for it! Only you can make that change happen. If you do not know where to start, ask for help! There are many resources and scholarships that can make higher education an opportunity for you! It is hard and you may struggle, but it does not mean you cannot succeed. Do not settle for less than your best. 

BlavinScholars.org: What advice would you offer to incoming Blavin Scholars?

Marti: Staying connected is the most important advice I can give. Being in this program means that you have a home that is supportive and will help you along the way. We all have strengths and weaknesses, which make us unique. We have helped one another in some way and that is something to look forward to.

BlavinScholars.org: What’s your biggest takeaway from your experience as a Blavin Scholar?

Marti: As president of the Blavin Scholars, I learned that this program is a gateway to success, but only if you utilize it in that way. Earning a degree as a Blavin Scholar is a great milestone and something to be exceptionally proud of. This program gives you an opportunity and it is your choice how you are going to spend it!

BlavinScholars.org: What degree(s) will you be receiving this spring?

Eric: Bachelors of Science in Construction Management with a Minor in Business.

BlavinScholars.org: What awards or honors have you received while at NAU?

Eric: Gold Axe Award, admitted into the MBA program, Grad assistantship

BlavinScholars.org: What is your major and what inspired you to pursue that particular major?

Eric: My major is construction management, I liked architecture, and I liked Legos.

BlavinScholars.org: What are your short-term goals for after graduation?

Eric: Go to grad school, graduate with my masters by age 22, then work for a construction company.

BlavinScholars.org: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Eric: In charge of a small-medium size project.

BlavinScholars.org: How have you grown as a person since first entering college?

Eric: I have become more aware of whats around me, I have become more humble.

BlavinScholars.org: What excites you most about your future?

Eric: How I have the world in front of me, and I am excited to be done with school and chase my dreams. 

BlavinScholars.org: What advice about higher education and life, in general, would you give to high school students who have experienced foster care?

Eric: Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. College is about new opportunities and it is up to you to grab them.

BlavinScholars.org: What advice would you offer to incoming Blavin Scholars?

Eric: Get involved, and go to Blavin Scholar events, get to know other students that grew up like yourself. 

BlavinScholars.org: What’s your biggest takeaway from your experience as a Blavin Scholar?

Eric: Even though the start to my life was a little hard, there was a family in college that I could go to anytime for help and for friendships.