Shannon Stanley, Goochland High School Class of 2020. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2024.
How did GRASP help you?
GRASP and its advisors have helped me so much throughout my time in high school, and even in my final year at VCU. My SOAR advisor in high school, Laurie Deadrick, is who I go to for anything FAFSA related.
I remember vividly meeting with her in high school to talk about my financial aid awards from various colleges, and she gave me a reality check on the debt I would be in if I went to my dream school at the time. I only had applied to four colleges, VCU not being one of them, and it was a week before the overall college application deadline. I left upset, but I am SO grateful she was honest with me. I would then apply to as many schools as I could that week, VCU being one, and got into all of them. Today, I am DEBT FREE and a first-gen about to graduate and it wouldn't have happened without that reality check. Not only this, but I have grown to love VCU. The city, the classes, my professors, I feel at home.
GRASP has been amazing as well in constantly providing support and resources to me and other students. From scholarship opportunities, to tips for navigating stress, finances, the professional world, GRASP has always been there for me.
What are you doing now?
I am graduating this month; it is surreal, but it is so rewarding to see how much I have grown over these four years. I love my major (was undeclared 2 years ago!), and the classes I'm taking make me so excited for the professional world. I'm currently an Event and Marketing Intern for the Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF), and the work I've been doing has strengthened my professional skills. My time at RIFF has been so phenomenal, and I've gained so many new skills (and strengthened others!) I plan to gain new experiences and grow as a professional.
What advice would you give to high school students?
One piece of "educational advice" I would give to high school students is to make connections. I'm talking your SOAR/GRASP advisors, your future professors, mentors, supervisors, all of it. Making connections and networking is so so so important, and it gets your foot in the door professionally. Freshman me admired seeing people "know people" and have so many connections, and I'm proud to say I'm that person today. From my past and current internships, my professors, Laurie, my name is out there and they think of me. Interested in a certain career field, event, or company? Reach out to people. You never know what that one email or meeting may lead you to, it may be great.
What was your biggest challenge on your educational journey?
The biggest life challenge I faced relative to my educational path was navigating college as a first-generation student. Throughout all four years at VCU, I have been relentless with working and providing for myself. From moving to Richmond junior year, to going on a cruise, Tennessee, concerts, RVA life, I have made it possible. However, being constant with working to make sure I was financially stable(-ish, I'm a college student of course haha), meant that I sacrificed truly putting myself out there and experiencing campus life. Living off campus my first two years, I would go to class then home. My advice to you all, please be young. Have fun, go to campus events, the four years of college are the time to try new things, discover your true self, find your calling, and so much more.
If you are a former GRASP student and would like to share your story, email Paula Buckley, pbuckley@grasp4va.org.
