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

Elizabeth: Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychological Sciences

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

Elizabeth: Deans List (multiple semesters)

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

Elizabeth: Criminal Justice; my main inspiration is the hope to help juveniles in the system turn their life around. 

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

Elizabeth: I decided to move home and spend time with my family while searching for a juvenile probation officer job. 

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

Elizabeth: Successful and happy. Hopefully with my own place, and happy with my career changing troubled youth’s lives one at a time. 

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

Elizabeth: I have come out of my shell more, I have seen changes in my responsibilities as an adult and financially. I have mended a relationship with my mother.

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

Elizabeth: Making money!! To be able to travel the world. My dream is to explore.

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

Elizabeth: Don’t give up. There are times when college seemed like too much, or felt pointless from struggles but it’s not. Get help with admissions and FAFSA and don’t be afraid to reach out for that help. 

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

Elizabeth: Be involved. One of my regrets is missing bonding time or learning opportunities with my Blavin family because I was more involved with working multiple jobs. Don’t be afraid to ask your support system for help or advice about anything.

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

Elizabeth: I had a home away from home. I’ve made connections with people all over campus. I’ve learned to come out of my shell and not be afraid to ask for advice and get help when I need it. Blavin Scholars gave me a support system I wouldn’t have had in college without them. 

…

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

Samantha: BA in Women’s Studies

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

Samantha: Womens Studies. Realizing how the knowledge learned in my classes is relevant and applicable to the world.

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

Samantha: Attend doula classes and find a job or volunteer program at a doula clinic or with nurse-midwives.

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

Samantha: Hopefully in a certified nurse-midwife program.

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

Samantha: I’m more confident in figuring out the next steps towards a goal.

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

Samantha: Not having to write essays. The possibility of changing lives.

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

Samantha: Everything seems harder when you don’t have people to support you. Definitely try to find places where you can be yourself and receive emotional and educational support.

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

Samantha: Use the resources offered. Email financial aid about everything.

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

Samantha: This university is a huge place, the program helped it seem a little smaller.

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

Jeremiah: Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry

BlavinScholars.org: What awards or honors have you received while at U-M?

Jeremiah: University Honors for G.P.A above 3.0 reoccurring multiple times.

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

Jeremiah: Biochemistry; inspired by a love of physiological mechanisms from a chemical and cellular basis.

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

Jeremiah: My short term goal would be to get well-adjusted to medical school and hopefully quickly find good studying strategies.

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

Jeremiah: In five years, I see myself as a medical resident and starting a family.

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

Jeremiah: I have primarily grown socially and professionally, learning how to interact with patients from a volunteer-basis, and learning to manage my own support systems effectively.

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

Jeremiah: I am most excited about a future as a medical doctor and being able to balance continuing learning/research with managing patients.

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

Jeremiah: I would advise children in high school from the foster care system to seek out mentors and support systems, as they are able to help you manage through very complex decisions, and can often act as important contacts for future opportunities.

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

Jeremiah: I would give the same advice as the previous answer, with an additional recommendation for future Blavin Scholars to utilize all of their available resources such as funding, liaisons, mentors, coaching, etc.

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

Jeremiah: My biggest takeaway from my experience being a Blavin Scholar would be that it’s essential to build support systems with the people around you, especially in higher education. It has been a great learning experience with team building exercises, group volunteering opportunities, and other events.

…

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

Celena: Electronic Media and Film with a minor in Biology

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

Celena: Student of the Year for SSS, Outstanding staff member for STAR, Deans list (8 times), Louie Award Nominee, Gold Axe Award Recipient, Multiple scholarships (at least 7) 

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

Celena: My major is Film. I pursued this major because I wanted to be able to direct and produce my own music videos. My biggest dream in life is to be a successful musician who performs sold out tours all over the world!

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

Celena: Release a full length album and 4 accompanying music videos. 

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

Celena: On stage and getting a Grammy with my grandma in the audience. 

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

Celena: I’ve grown in so many ways. I think the experience that stands out the most is knowing what is worth my time and what isn’t. Life is too short to not give everything your all. I’ve grown as a good person obtaining great foundations and morals for my life as well as a creative being. 

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

Celena: Making music and performing. 

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

Celena: You are worth it. You are deserving. You can do it. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help.

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

Celena: This family is amazing. Enjoy it while you can because life flies by! 

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

Celena: Family isn’t defined by our DNA, it’s defined by our hearts. I can honestly say the Blavin Scholar community at NAU will always be a part of my family. 

We are incredibly thrilled to announce the graduation of eleven Blavin Scholars this spring. Years of hard work, persistence, and determination have paid off for these amazing young adults and we couldn’t be more proud of and inspired by them. These individuals — six from University of Michigan and five from Northern Arizona University — bring our total number of graduates to 47 since the inception of the Blavin Scholars program. Please join us in celebrating our grads. Congratulations to each and everyone one of them, to their spirit, and to their strength. And, thank you to those have worked along side them in support of efforts and their dreams — there are many of you and we are so grateful.

And, here they are — our Class of 2018…!