This is my friend, MiKayla. She is a beautiful, talented, spirited force of nature who has overcome all odds and will soon become “Dr. MiKayla” as she completes her doctorate in vocal performance. 

MiKayla auditioned and was selected as a Resident Artist with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Only problem was….she had two semesters left to complete her Doctorate in Winchester, VA. True to form, she found a way working a multitude of jobs, living with friends to save a few months rent and was off to Kansas City for a chance of a lifetime. As all college students, she was living on a shoestring. After 4 days in Kansas City, her car was stolen. In a “perfect storm” of moving chaos, there was a snafu between her bank and her car insurance. Unknown to her, the car insurance policy was cancelled just a few weeks before her car was stolen. She now has to pay off her stolen car loan and also needs to buy another car to get around. 

Here's the thing. In most cases, in times of crisis, college students can move back home for awhile. Or their family has a car they can borrow. Mikayla does not have that luxury. She is remarkably resilient but this is the type of thing that can break a person when they are having to navigate so many things on their own. It is a story told over and over again and I am committed to making sure MiKayla is not another such story. She has literally put herself through school by working hard on scholarships and often 3+ jobs as she studied. She has so much to offer this world through her music, her tenacity and her inspiring example. I need to raise $10,000 to pay off her stolen car so that she can buy another one and at least get to square one. If you can help, we would be MOST grateful.

Thank you,

Karen Hughes