Kiana’s Balancing Act

Kiana didn’t know if she’d be able to return to East Ridge High School for her senior year. After having a baby at the end of her junior year, she struggled to balance schoolwork with her newfound responsibilities as a parent. Then she started working with Ms. Takeisha, the CISTN program manager at East Ridge High. 

Kiana’s first priority was taking care of her baby, since she often missed school in order to care for her infant. Ms. Takeisha met with Kiana two to three times a week to build a system of support to provide childcare. She also connected Kiana with local non-profits for diapers, formula, baby clothes, and other essential resources for parents.

Once the senior was able to attend more classes, her grades climbed, and now they are phenomenal. Kiana currently balances her schoolwork with three different part-time jobs. She also founded the high school’s very first dance team and even won a spot on the homecoming court.

Kiana was recently accepted to University of Tennessee Chattanooga, where she plans to try out for the dance team. Kiana and Ms. Takeisha are now working on scholarship applications to help cover the cost of attending UTC next year.

Kiana’s story isn’t an outlier: Right now, 242 high school seniors we serve are applying to colleges, scholarships, and jobs over the next few weeks. Will you donate today to ensure that students like Kiana have the support they need to start their college and careers strong?

Kiana poses for senior pictures in her dance team uniform.