Kayleah in Sheridan, AR

Being the First is tough, especially if you don’t have any financial or emotional support along the way. It’s easy to get discouraged, wanting to give up on finding scholarships or just work instead of pursuing your education. My parents admitted to me they never anticipated any of their children going to college, so they didn’t care, and at first, I didn’t think it was possible either. When I first visited campus at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville earlier this year it felt like the world had finally been put in color and the pieces fell into place instantly. I found my purpose. I knew I had to achieve this dream with everything I had. For all the other First, don’t let yourself forget about your dreams. It’s okay to become lost along the way, but remember why you’re here, and never let go of that passion for better.