Meet our 2025 Live Your Dream Awardees:

Rachael has never given up her dream of earning a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education despite many obstacles and setbacks during the past two decades. She dropped out of college twice to care for her three children, now ages 23, 19 and 16, one of whom has been diagnosed with autism and another with learning disabilities. She returned to college in 2022 when Covid shut down her workplace. She has maintained a 4.0 grade average every semester since. Rachael works full time as a teaching fellow during the day, going to school at night. “I try my very best,” she says, “because I want to be the teacher that I needed growing up to support me and push me forward. I want to be an example to my children and all my students that no matter how hard life becomes you can never give up and must keep working towards a brighter future.” She says the award will allieviate daily stress about the bills. She will graduate in May 2025. 

Sharda is pursuing a decades’ long dream of becoming a school social worker. She is earning an associate degree with plans to continue her studies for a bachelor’s degree. She wants to assist youth with mental health and home life issues and support them through their education. After leaving a 10-year marriage during which she suffered domestic abuse, Sharda is back on track. She is now a single mom supporting four children. She home-schools the youngest who suffers from Irlens syndrome, a rare brain disorder that makes words and numbers appear to move on the page. She has done extensive research to aid her. Sharda says, “This award will help me live my dream by removing the financial stress and anxiety I have around school expenses and home expenses. It will allow me to feel supported and confident as a single mother that I can and will complete my program.” Sharda will graduate in 2026.

Victoria became a single mom at age 24 when her husband died in auto accident on the way to the hospital the day their son was born. From that day, her son became her motivation. Her great joy was watching him experience life and grow into a successful adult. Misfortune visited Victoria’s life again two and a half years ago, when her second husband was diagnosed with cancer and has been unable to work while he fights the disease. Even while facing major obstacles, Victoria has taken small steps toward her dream of becoming a nurse and contributing to her community. A major milestone will be her graduation with an associate degree in nursing in December 2025. She plans to pursue a BSN. Victoria struggles with finances – not only her education expenses, but living expenses, her husband’s medical bills and buying gas for her almost daily 30-mile commute to school. Her job ended in June when her employer’s government contract expired, and she has been unable to find a new job that accommodates her class schedule. Victoria volunteers when she can and hopes to one day “pay it forward.” 

Susan started life over after leaving an abusive relationship and being diagnosed in adulthood with ADHD. She finally understood why she had a history of being unable to finish anything, and never felt “capable” or “enough” even though her teachers told her she had potential. The undiagnosed disorder contributed to her losing access to college financial aid and, ultimately, affected her personal finances, ability to stay with a job and her personal relationships. Susan now works 35 hours a week as a teacher fellow, supporting three young children, while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Her long-term goal is to pursue a master’s degree. “My goal is to become an influential teacher, mother, and homeowner, and be able to purchase a vehicle we don't have to pray to start. This award will benefit our lives more than you know,” Susan says. She plans to graduate in May.