GUARDIAN SCHOLARS GRADUATES

2018

Alaina, Buena Vista University

Alaina graduated with not only one, but two bachelor's degrees from Buena Vista University. One in psychology and one in human services. She will continue her education in the Nurse Practitioner program at Creighton University. "Reaching this goal would have been truly impossible if I didn’t have my support system. Thank you to those of you that have supported me throughout this journey." – Alaina

Angela, University of Iowa

Angela graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree as a Phi Beta Kappa. She also graduated with high distinction in the top 5% of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and also received departmental honors.

Her plans are to continue her education in the fine arts at the Manifest Drawing Center in Cincinnati. 

2017

NICOLE, MOUNT MERCY UNIVERSITY

After attending the Young Entrepreneur Convention in 2016, Nicole went on to write, edit, and publish "Foster to Fosters" on Amazon Kindle in 29 days. The content includes her personal foster care story, her relationships with both her adoptive and birth parents, addiction, obstacles, and motivation. Within 12 hours of releasing "Foster to Fosters" hit #3 Amazon Best Sellers in Adoption, in just the Kindle version.

"After I graduate this semester from Mount Mercy University with my Bachelors in Business Administration and a Minor in Human Resources Management, I plan to continue working with my brand, Foster to Fosters. Writing my book has encouraged me to keep going with my story, which will include motivational speaking, working with at-risk youth, and writing more books! I am excited to meet other individuals in the foster care community and travel around the world. Thank you Guardian Scholars Foundation for believing in me and helping me through my journey!" 

Genesis, Iowa State University

Thanks to amazing professors and mentors that have impressed me the clear reality that there is no force outside of myself that can stop me from accomplishing anything, I've decided to pursue carriers in a historical institution or an animal rights organization. I know they don't seem related to one another but why should they? I have many interests that don't correlate to one another but I find it refreshing to indulge in so many viewpoints. Presently, for example, my seven-year-old son has successfully persuaded me to help him develop a game app. He's the creative thinking and I just code what he tells me to. We haven't' made much progress but it's been fun.

After I graduate and my son finishes up the first grade we'll be moving to California. At the moment, I'm trying to get my foot in the historical world. I'm interested in museums, archival institutions, libraries, anything that indulges and grows my interest of the past. Hopefully, in a few years, I'll attend graduate school and pursue anthropology and archeology. I'd like to someday excavate an ancient site in Latin America. That's a long-term goal anyway.

KAYLA, Indian Hills
Community College 

Kayla Powell is a relentless advocate and leader for systems change, transformational practices and youth development. She is the Ottumwa YMCA’s Youth and Family Programs Coordinator where she leads all youth development and community engagement work and a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant for the geriatric population.

Kayla is also a consultant for the Youth Policy Institute of Iowa, Child and Family Policy Center and the national Annie E Casey Foundation working towards improving outcomes for youth in and transitioning from the foster care system. Kayla is contracted with the U.S. Children’s Bureau as a federal National Youth In Transition Database Reviewer. She is also a national speaker having spoken at Harvard University, the National CASA Conference, several Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative Convening’s, Iowa’s Annual Judicial and Child Welfare Conference and many more. Kayla is a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer for three teenagers and serves on the State of Iowa’s Child Protection Council.

 Ashley, Grand View College

After graduating from Grand View College, Ashley will work toward becoming a Project Manager, then a Program Manager, and eventually a Portfolio Manager or Director of the Enterprise Project Management Office in order to one day become a Chief Information Officer.  

2015

EDDYE, DRAKE UNIVERSITY

After studying Sociology and Anthropology at Drake, Eddye attained her goal of working with the Des Moines Juvenile Court.  While an undergraduate, she was a Lead Youth Service Worker at Cornerstone and a Young Fellow with the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative.  As a Young Fellow she traveled nationally advocating on behalf of all young people impacted by the foster care system in order to influence and improve policies and practices related to foster youth across the nation.

2013

how far I have come in my education, as well as a person. The Guardian Scholars program has helped me on my journey," he says. "I was able to focus on things that were important to my education, rather than money."