Aja's Off to College
Donation protected
Our paths are never straight. But before the fall of 2017, it really seemed that way. Basketball was life and college ball with a career in sports' medicine was a few years, a few 3 pointers, and box-outs away. But the universe had something else in store for Aja; and like that EVERYTHING stopped.
Basketball stopped, planning for college stopped, knowing what the future had in store for this vibrant, athletic, bright, young lady.....stopped. Illness is something you don't plan; and it's ripple effect continues to make waves, although smaller, in our lives today.
As a result, Xavier University is the blessing we didn't see coming. Aja pushed through a devastated junior year of high school battling her body and her mind to reclaim herself and her future. She lost the opportunity to play, competitively, the game she has loved since 5th grade. But she gained a new sense of self and a new found strength that she didn't know was there.
As a transfer to ETHS and only needing 21 credits to graduate, Aja graduated with 60; after being home-bound and having to recover an entire semester of classes due to illness, she graduated ON TIME with a B average. Even though she thought college would have to wait, she was offered a 4 year merit scholarship to Xavier University, beginning this fall.
This path has been anything but straight.
Now I want so badly to help the next chapter of Aja's life be a little smoother than the last. School starts in August and we JUST received her aid package. With not a lot of time or room to spare, we are asking for the village's help. All donations will go towards transportation, the remaining tuition, books, and dorm expenses. Thank you in advance for listening to our story and for any contributions you make. Peace & blessings to you all.
Basketball stopped, planning for college stopped, knowing what the future had in store for this vibrant, athletic, bright, young lady.....stopped. Illness is something you don't plan; and it's ripple effect continues to make waves, although smaller, in our lives today.
As a result, Xavier University is the blessing we didn't see coming. Aja pushed through a devastated junior year of high school battling her body and her mind to reclaim herself and her future. She lost the opportunity to play, competitively, the game she has loved since 5th grade. But she gained a new sense of self and a new found strength that she didn't know was there.
As a transfer to ETHS and only needing 21 credits to graduate, Aja graduated with 60; after being home-bound and having to recover an entire semester of classes due to illness, she graduated ON TIME with a B average. Even though she thought college would have to wait, she was offered a 4 year merit scholarship to Xavier University, beginning this fall.
This path has been anything but straight.
Now I want so badly to help the next chapter of Aja's life be a little smoother than the last. School starts in August and we JUST received her aid package. With not a lot of time or room to spare, we are asking for the village's help. All donations will go towards transportation, the remaining tuition, books, and dorm expenses. Thank you in advance for listening to our story and for any contributions you make. Peace & blessings to you all.
Organizer
LaShandra Smith-Rayfield
Organizer
Evanston, IL