Junior
Aloha High School 2027
Celebrating Ripples of Hope
Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and … those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. Robert F. Kennedy, June 1966
Robert F. Kennedy’s concept of “ripples of hope” has always been a guiding force at College Possible. As the education sector faces increasing headwinds, I draw inspiration from the numerous students already accomplishing incredible things in our community. I think about how the ripples they are creating give me hope. That hope is not rooted in some distant vision of the future. Students are creating ripples in our community at this very moment. They are not just our future leaders; they are our current ones. And we are better for it. In the following pages, you will meet Kaitlyn, Chayse, Eli and Junior. You will also discover that they are running businesses, expanding access to literacy, saving lives, caring for animals, and uplifting the world around them. Their stories serve as meaningful reminders of the big and beautiful things students accomplish when they have access to the education they deserve. There is still important work ahead to ensure every Oregon student has a clear path toward higher education, and I am grateful to have you alongside us to make that vision possible. Thank you for ensuring that students have the opportunity to nurture their potential into lasting impact.
Sincerely,
Nicole Mays Executive Director
2
College Possible Oregon
Give This to a Friend Share these stories with someone who might be interested in educational opportunities and the work of College Possible Oregon.
Support Students Today CollegePossible.org/DonateOregon
Join Our Email List CollegePossible.org/Email
Stay Connected @CollegePossibleOregon
College Possible Oregon
College Possible Oregon For questions or more information, email OregonInfo@CollegePossible.org Celebrating Ripples of Hope
3
COLLEGE ACCESS Our College Access program supports high school juniors and seniors with all aspects of getting to college, from college exploration, financing and scholarships to guiding them through enrollment at their best-fit institution of choice.
Oregon Student Results
645
22
92%
89%
high school students served
partner high schools
applied to college1
admitted to college1
The above student access and success numbers are for 2024–25. High school class of 2025 to any degree-granting institution
1
4
College Possible Oregon
COLLEGE SUCCESS Once students are enrolled in college they move into our College Success program, where coaches offer the skills, resources and information that students need to persist until graduation and attain their bachelor’s degree.
Oregon Student Results
1,374
74%
125
89
college students served
persisted from first-to-second year in college2
colleges attended by students
college degrees earned3
The above student access and success numbers are for 2024–25. High school class of 2025 represents fall-to-fall enrollment to any degree-granting institution
2
AA degrees, BA and BS degrees and certificates earned between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025
3
Celebrating Ripples of Hope
5
Kaitlyn Reynolds High School 2016 Concordia University 2019
To the next generation of aspiring college graduates, I hope that my story can serve as an encouraging illustration of how higher education can impact your life in meaningful ways. My name is Kaitlyn, and I am a labor and delivery nurse. My family came to the U.S. in the 1980s with nothing. My parents didn’t get the chance to go to college. Instead, they built a life where I could attend college one day, so I did. During my time at Reynolds High School, I was a College Possible student and part of the Center for Advanced Learning in the Health Science Medical Program. 6
College Possible Oregon
In the fall following graduation, I made the decision to enroll at Concordia University – Portland. I was accepted to many prominent colleges, but ultimately selected Concordia because it was the most financially logical choice. I was able to live at home, commute to school and work as a housekeeper in a Level IV trauma center. With the scholarships and college credits I had earned in high school, I graduated with my nursing degree a semester early. I passed my boards a couple of months before COVID-19 hit, and the world was at a
standstill. In the midst of a pandemic, I was able to secure a job and pay off my college loan in the same year, the one loan I took out the last semester of nursing school. Compared to my colleagues whose paths also led them to the same job, I had the advantage of not having a six-figure student loan hanging over my head. Because of that, I was able to buy two brand-new cars, one for myself and one for my grandma; buy a house, travel the world, and become a mom by the time I was 25. In the years following graduation, I learned that it isn’t the school, the program, or the hospital that impacts you, but the people. My College Possible coach, Callie, served as a mentor and inspiration. She helped me with college applications, ACT prep and extracurriculars, and she also really cared for her students as a whole and got to know us outside of the college prep world. Graduating from college requires so much more than just getting into and going to school. Callie helped us through the individual obstacles that would’ve prevented us from
Graduating from college requires so much more than just getting into and going to school.
being college graduates, whether they were financial, social, or personal. Even 10 years later, I still credit her for the difference she made for me. And somehow, the fate of the world allowed our paths to align again. I went from seeing Callie during our after-school sessions to unexpectedly bumping into her at the hospital this year. Imagine my surprise when I walked into her room as she held her newborn. One of the greatest ways I could show my gratitude to Callie was by caring for her and her baby. They will forever be one of the most special families I’ve had the privilege of working with. Because of College Possible and because of Callie, I get to do a job that I love. I will always be grateful for the opportunities that College Possible led me to. Celebrating Ripples of Hope
7
Chayse Gresham High School 2024 Portland State University 2028
I was always determined to go to university; I just had no clue what that looked like. Throughout my schooling, I repeatedly found myself surrounded by high achievers. In middle school, I was taking honors classes where the dreamy conversations of college frequently floated around the room. In high school, I elected to take AP courses, where those same conversations got a lot less dreamy and a lot more real. There were many times when the idea felt daunting. People with university stickers on their water bottles and talk of a 10-year plan. It seemed like everyone was racing forward while I was slipping behind.
8
College Possible Oregon
During my sophomore year of high school, my mom and I were at student-teacher conferences when she saw a College Possible poster on the wall and urged me to sign up. It wasn’t until I looked back that I saw how much support College Possible provided. After-school sessions, weekly scholarship emails, early-deadline reminders, weekend ACT practice, and college tours helped me feel accomplished and gain the financial confidence to take on higher education. I was getting accepted to universities that my peers didn’t know had open applications. Since then, being a firstgeneration student isn’t a label
that feels like it hinders me anymore. It empowers me. Attending Portland State University has helped me grow in ways I didn’t know I could. Opportunities like studying abroad in Spain have helped me become comfortable in my own skin and appreciative of what I can do. There, I dove into a new culture, broke out of my shell and was reminded of the power of communication. I’ve also learned I’m capable of making an impact. I was initially intrigued by my major, speech and hearing sciences, because of my passion for language and literature and the inability to share that with my brother, who has dyslexia. He worked with a speech pathologist while we were kids, and as I grew up, I found how much that practice can align with my love of writing. Through my major, I got connected with GiGi’s Playhouse, a program designed to support individuals with Down syndrome. The experience has not only given me immense fulfillment but also sparked a goal. There, I volunteer as a literacy tutor for a 23-year-old student who, earlier this year, lost the motivation to continue building her literacy skills.
Being a firstgeneration student isn’t a label that feels like it hinders me anymore. It empowers me. During her tutoring sessions, I found it incredibly difficult to find a curriculum appropriate for both her reading level and her age. So, I compiled readings about her favorite basketball player and found that personalizing the learning experience kept her wanting to read more. Seeing her excited about reading inspired me to help expand access to literacy for adults by looking into interesting material that matches their personal literacy levels. I’ve been able to pour into others throughout my time in college, and in my career I hope to do the same. I want people to know that I find their time meaningful and their struggles worth supporting.
Celebrating Ripples of Hope
9
Eli Gaston Jr/Sr High School 2025 Oregon State University 2029
I’ve always known that I wanted to be a veterinarian, even before I knew the word for it. I was enamored with the idea of spending all my time helping animals and their humans. So, when I discovered that college was a stepping stone to veterinary school, my mind was made up. I knew it would be hard to pursue higher education as a first-generation student from a rural, low-income area, but I was determined. Going to college and getting my bachelor’s degree was the key to everything I had dreamed of. During my junior year of high school, a representative from College Possible came to my school and spoke about the 10
College Possible Oregon
program. I immediately signed up, knowing I needed all the help I could get. My coaches taught me about the process of getting into college and helped me through all of the pitfalls that no one talks about. They also encouraged me to apply for as many scholarships as possible and brought many to my attention that I had no idea about. One of them was the Ford Family Foundation scholarship, which gave me a full ride to Oregon State University. As I head into my second year in the pre-veterinary program, I’m reflecting on the countless opportunities I’ve had in my field so far.
During my first term, I shadowed in the large animal wing of the Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which provided me with invaluable experience right off the bat. I was able to put what I had learned into practice at OSU’s calving school during the winter term. There, I learned about cows, their calves, and their reproductive health, and I even earned an internship. I spent over 100 hours monitoring cows and heifers for signs of labor at the OSU Dairy Research Center and Soap Creek Ranch. Over spring break, I studied abroad in Mexico, where I got extensive hands-on experience serving rural communities by treating their working animals. I helped take care of horses, donkeys, and mules. This experience was amazing and incredibly fulfilling because I was able to make an impact in communities that would not have received veterinary care otherwise. My experience abroad inspired me to work on a small farm right after getting back from Mexico. As a farmhand, I now work alongside 20 goats, 20 sheep, and three llamas. The
I knew it would be hard to pursue higher education as a firstgeneration student from a rural, lowincome area, but I was determined. Going to college and getting my bachelor’s degree was the key to everything I had dreamed of.
experience I’m gaining in my current role is invaluable and will help my veterinary school applications stand out. There is currently a shortage of large animal vets, which limits access to care for specific animals. My goal is to become a large animal veterinarian so I can care for those animals in a timely manner and positively impact the animals, their caretakers, and the wider community.
Celebrating Ripples of Hope
11
Junior Aloha High School 2027
In my family, no one has graduated from high school, let alone attended college. Even so, my parents always believed that education could create opportunities they never had. They encouraged me to work hard and take advantage of every opportunity that came my way, hoping I could build a future different from their own. For as long as I can remember, work has been a part of my life. My parents built their businesses through determination, long hours and sacrifice. Watching them work every day taught me that success is earned, but it also showed me the challenges they face as business owners whose first language is Spanish. 12
College Possible Oregon
Whether I was helping my mom serve customers at her restaurant or working alongside my dad on construction projects, I realized that my education could become a way to make their work easier. So, I taught myself how to design websites, create business cards, book catering events, and I learned accounting to help my parents’ businesses grow. This summer, I was accepted into a construction management internship with the Beaverton School District. I have helped with projects that support local schools while learning how construction projects are planned, organized, and managed.
Seeing everything that goes into maintaining school buildings has strengthened my interest in construction management and shown me how thoughtful planning can improve the places where students learn.
As a first-generation student, attending college means more than earning a degree. It represents opportunities my parents never had.
As a first-generation student, attending college means more than earning a degree. It represents opportunities my parents never had. Their sacrifices have given me the chance to dream bigger while staying connected to where I come from. I want to honor everything they have done by building a future that benefits both my family and my community.
In college, I hope to study construction engineering management and finance while continuing to develop my leadership and business skills. My long-term goal is to manage my dad’s construction company and eventually expand it into commercial and government projects.
Serving others in my community has also helped me prepare for my future. As a camp counselor at the 4-H Migrant Youth Camp at Oregon State University, I worked with students, which reminded me of myself when I was younger. It also showed me how important it is for young people to connect with somebody who understands their background and believes in their potential. I hope that by sharing my own journey, I can encourage other students to believe that college is possible for them, too.
College Possible has played a major role in helping me prepare for college. As the first person in my family navigating applications, scholarships, financial aid, and college decisions, I have had plenty of questions. Having a coach who believes in me and is always willing to offer guidance has made the process much less overwhelming. College Possible has given me confidence in my future while reminding me that I do not have to figure everything out on my own. Celebrating Ripples of Hope
13
Growing Our Impact to Meet a Growing Need This year, College Possible Oregon is holding firm in our commitment to serve students as they pursue their dreams of a college degree. Students face increasing challenges on their path to higher education after high school, and yet research continues to affirm the life-changing value of a college degree. Many of our partner districts have made cuts to college preparation and support programs. Some have also had to reduce the number of counselors, driving caseloads per counselor higher and leaving them without the bandwidth to fully support the college-going process for every interested student. Oregon ranks 42nd nationally in higher education participation among students from low-income backgrounds, with only 18% attending any post-secondary program (The Pell Institute).
The College Degree Divide College opportunity should be based on potential – not income. Yet, family income remains one of the strongest predictors of college enrollment.
OREGON LOW-INCOME COLLEGE PARTICIPATION NATIONAL RANK
42
nd
14 College Possible Oregon
RATE
18%
We are determined to continue to support Oregon students as they overcome the many obstacles on their path to a college degree. Thank you for investing in College Possible students and the Oregon community. Now more than ever, your support is enabling students to make their dreams come true.
The Value of a College Degree A college degree can open the door to greater economic opportunity, stronger communities, and a more secure future for students and families. ESTIMATED LIFETIME EARNINGS $3.4M
79%
INCREASE
$1.9M
BACHELOR’S DEGREE
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
Celebrating Ripples of Hope
15
College Possible helps students from low-income backgrounds unlock college opportunities and succeed through one-on-one coaching and dedicated support.
532 SE Grand Ave. Portland, OR 97214 971-407-2960 | OregonInfo@CollegePossible.org COLLEGEPOSSIBLE.ORG/OREGON