Kae has always been a creator. She began drawing at only a year old, and has had a sketch book in tow ever since.

Painting classes beginning at 7yo, art camps every summer starting at 10, an art school during high school, film camp, an art internship with the Jordan Foundation all led to her final educational goal: Columbia College Chicago.

Columbia wasn't just the first choice for school, it was Kae's only choice. She knew from the first time she stepped on campus she would one day be attending. The journey would not be easy.

Kae is autistic and mental health challenges made the high school years very difficult. We saw what an unsupported school environment could look like. So she graduated via homeschool and began taking classes at Harold Washington before applying and successfully transferring to Columbia.

But it was 2020. There was a worldwide epidemic going on, and she was forced to take most of her classes online. She didn't regularly attend in person, make new friends, or participate in a single college activity until her junior year.

Needless to say, like many students of that era, she struggled. It was difficult to get the supports she required in her classes. Some classes were dropped in order to pass others. Despite it all, she still managed to maintain a 3.0 or above most of her college tenure. Yet, she was not in compliance, and was forced to take 2 semesters elsewhere even with having very few required classes remaining.

She persevered. Back at Harold Washington, she studied 2 languages in one semester, and did so well that she was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. She didn't take a break, attending in the spring and summer so that she could quickly return to Columbia in the fall.

And so she did. Unfortunately, she lost the Presidential scholarship as a result, and that has led to additional tuition costs that were previously covered.

When I tell you that she has worked her butt off, I am not exaggerating. None of this has come easily. She had no choice but to take a full load of classes both in the fall and currently this spring. She is in multiple studio arts classes with huge work loads due to the number of projects. She has proven her talent, drive, and ability to overcome obstacles. She has earned every right to her illustration degree.

But there is still a tuition balance owed. Please help her, if you are able, so that she can graduate and receive her Bachelor in Art in Illustration.

Thank you to her village (in advance!) We love and appreciate you!