Meet Kayla

"As a first generation college student, I was so lost and confused about how to continue my education after high school. The mentors at Ladies of Virtue helped me with my college applications, scholarships, and my personal statements. With their support I was able to attend Benedictine University.  I even won a $1000 scholarship because of my leadership project with Ladies of Virtue, which focused on Domestic Violence."

 

My first semester was a very exciting and nerve wrecking point in my life.  However, the new freedom from being away from home caused me to lose focus on my schoolwork and I ultimately performed poorly. I was put on probation after my first semester and dismissed from Benedictine University after my second semester.

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But Ladies of Virtue never gave up on me.  The mentors at Ladies of Virtue continued to check in and assist me when needed during my first year away. When I left school, they continued to support and encourage me to go back. 

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I remember them saying “if everyone had the same journey with no bumps in the road, then nobody would be able to tell their own story because they would all be the same”.

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Those words stuck with me and helped me with the struggles I faced. I knew I owed myself another chance to prove that I wasn’t a failure and that with the correct focus and support I could graduate from college. That summer I applied to Prairie State college with a new drive and a new major. I started completely over and have not looked back since. That year, I earned a 3.4 GPA and started Prairie State’s RN program in the fall of 2015. Two years later I graduated with my Associates as a Registered Nurse. I then enrolled at Governors State University to complete my bachelor’s in nursing and graduated May 2019.