Our 2025 Live Your Dream Award recipients are incredible, and their stories are a testament to the power of these grants. We’ve been catching up with them and are inspired to see how they’re using the award to transform their lives, often going far beyond just covering tuition.
Brenda’s Story: A Second Chance
Brenda is thriving in the accelerated nursing program at ECPI which she recently started, and is set to graduate in November 2026. After being accepted on her second attempt, she firmly believes the award was a factor in her success.
Orrie’s Journey: Navigating Clinicals
Orrie completed her Dental Assisting program at Wake Tech in June and is currently completing her clinicals. The grant has been a crucial lifeline, helping her manage the significant transportation costs associated with traveling for her clinical work.
Yvette’s Resilience: A Fresh Start
Yvette used her grant to cover tuition, back rent, and groceries. As she puts it, “this award truly helped me to regroup, focus on school and help me get back on my feet.” This support allowed her to stabilize her life and put her full energy into her education.
Alisha’s Determination: Nearing the Finish Line
Alisha is using her award to help with tuition as she works toward completing her degree. She’s looking forward to finishing soon and beginning the next chapter of her career.