Yahaira’s journey of paying it forward is a reminder that the right encouragement can change how we see ourselves—and what we believe is possible.
Yahaira can still picture the fourth-floor computer lab at Omaha South High School. It was where she and her friends gathered after school, met with their college coach, and got to work preparing for their futures.
“My coach would take us to the school store to get snacks, and then it was down to business,” she recalls.
Those afternoons were about more than homework and college applications. They were about friendship, belonging and being surrounded by people who shared similar dreams. Through College Possible, Yahaira found a safe place where she could explore her future, learn what it would take to get there and begin to believe in the possibilities ahead of her.
Looking back, she recognizes just how much those experiences shaped the person she has become.
When asked what she carries with her from her time with College Possible, three words come to mind: preparation, community and success. They represent the lessons that helped her find her way to college, discover confidence in her own voice, and build a career centered on helping others see what is possible for themselves.
Preparation: Turning a Dream Into Reality
Yahaira’s parents planted the seed of college early. They encouraged her to study hard, work toward what she wanted out of life, and never be afraid to strive for more. Their love and support gave her a strong foundation, but she still needed to understand how to turn her aspirations into reality.
That is where College Possible made a difference.
Through her work with the organization, Yahaira learned how to navigate the college application process, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), explore financial assistance, and apply for scholarships.
“If it wasn’t for College Possible, I don’t think I would have gone to college,” she says.
With the support of her coach, Yahaira secured a full-ride scholarship from the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation—a life-changing opportunity that allowed her to graduate from college debt-free. Beyond making her college education possible, the scholarship would give Yahaira a significant advantage as she began building her life post-college graduation.
Without student loan payments weighing on her, Yahaira would take her first steps into her career with greater financial flexibility and focus on her future goals. The scholarship eased the financial uncertainty surrounding college and gave her a stronger foundation from which to pursue her ambitions. It was more than help with tuition; it was an investment in the opportunities and possibilities that awaited her after graduation.
Yahaira’s experience taught her that sometimes the difference between imagining a future and pursuing it is having someone who can help you understand the steps to get there. The encouragement of her parents, combined with the guidance and resources she found through College Possible, helped her move forward with greater confidence. That preparation also shaped how Yahaira approached her role as the oldest of three sisters.
“As the eldest daughter, I felt a sense of responsibility to set the path for my younger siblings. After my time in College Possible, I challenged my sisters to be the best they could be—not to give up and to stay committed,” she says.
By working toward her own goals, Yahaira became an example for her sisters. She showed them that success is not simply about where you begin, but about the effort you put in, the support you seek, and your willingness to keep going.
It was one of the first ways her own journey began to influence someone else’s.
Community: Discovering a Voice of Her Own
In high school, Yahaira shares that she was more comfortable listening than speaking. While she had strong opinions and ideas, she was often content to stay in the background. By putting in the work to move toward her college goals, Yahaira began to see herself differently. Her college coach encouraged her, challenged her, and helped her recognize that she was capable of more than she might have imagined. Other words of encouragement would come from people in her life that would stay with her as a reminder that she could do the hard things.
Yahaira still remembers a teacher who once told her, “You’re a good writer.” Sometimes, a few words spoken at the right moment can become something a person carries for years.
College brought new opportunities for Yahaira to discover her voice. During her first semester, she enrolled in an organizational sociology class. She was the only freshman and the youngest student in the room by far. “I was super intimidated, thinking all these people were older than me and were probably much smarter,” she recalls.
But Yahaira found her footing. Her classmates invited her to study sessions, listened to her ideas, and respected the contributions she made to group projects. She realized she belonged in the room. “It was such a boost to my confidence,” she says. By the end of that first semester, Yahaira had earned a 3.0 GPA. She remembers thinking, “I can do this.”
College also changed how Yahaira understood the world. She learned to consider different viewpoints, question assumptions, and form her own opinions. She came to recognize that people’s experiences are shaped by many circumstances and that understanding someone often requires looking beyond what is immediately visible.
“There is a story behind what is going on,” she reflects. “Especially in today’s world, people need to dig deeper—pursue understanding—don’t judge.”
That lesson continues to guide her. It reminds her to approach people with curiosity and compassion, recognizing that everyone has a story that deserves to be understood.
Success: Becoming the Mentor She Once Needed
One of the most meaningful lessons Yahaira carries from College Possible is the power of mentorship.
Her coaches did more than help her prepare for college. They encouraged her to dream bigger, guided her through unfamiliar processes, and challenged her to reach beyond her comfort zone.
Today, Yahaira is that same source of encouragement for others. She manages a teen empowerment program at the Omaha based non-profit, Completely Kids, where she and her staff are helping young people prepare for successful futures. In many ways, her career reflects the support she received as a student. The person who once needed someone in her corner is now standing in the corner of the next generation.
As a first-generation college student, Yahaira feels a special connection with the young people she serves. She understands the uncertainty that can come with pursuing higher education, the financial challenges families may face, and the feeling of trying to navigate a system that is unfamiliar.
“They relate to me and I relate to them,” she explains. “They know where I started, and I’m able to say, ‘I did it. You can do this.’”
For Yahaira those words carry special meaning. She knows how powerful it can be when someone helps you see beyond your own doubts or doubts from others. Now, she gets to help young people imagine futures they may not yet know how to reach.
Her work also allows her to learn from the parents she meets through Completely Kids. Many are working hard to create better opportunities for themselves and their families. They may be learning English, developing financial literacy skills, earning a GED, or pursuing additional education to qualify for better jobs. Yahaira admires their determination. She sees parents working to build new possibilities for their children, often while navigating challenges of their own.
“I had that opportunity. I’m here now because of the opportunities I had and the hard work I did. I’m now here as a tool—a resource to help them get there as well,” she says.
Their commitment reminds her that the desire to build a better future can take many forms. Education is not only about earning a degree; it is also about gaining knowledge, opening doors, and creating possibilities for the people who come after you.
Her journey has come full circle. The guidance she received as a student has become part of how she supports others, and the encouragement that once helped her believe in herself is now something she offers to young people finding their way.
Carrying Strength Into Every Challenge
College taught Yahaira more than academic subjects. It helped her develop resilience, independence, and the confidence to face challenges rather than turn away from them.
“In college I learned I have to do the hard things,” she explains. “If I failed, there was a lesson in the failure,” she says. That mindset has stayed with her. She approaches challenges with the understanding that growth often comes from doing things that feel uncomfortable, making mistakes, and choosing to try again.
Her education also gave her a broader sense of what she could contribute to the world. To Yahaira, earning a college degree represents honor and influence.
“I’m leading by example,” she says. “My college experience prepared me. Earning my degree gives me credibility—it gave me the tools to make a difference.”
That sense of purpose extends into her personal life. As she and her spouse consider starting a family, Yahaira feels confident that they will be able to guide their future children through their own educational journeys. When Yahaira thinks about her own future, she sees possibilities rather than limits.
As a little girl, she dreamed of having her own office, being a leader, and becoming someone who helped others. Today, she is living much of what she once imagined. “Everything I worked so hard for has paid off,” she says. “But I’ll never stop striving for more or settle.”
She has learned that reaching one goal does not mean the journey is over. There is always more to discover, more to learn, and more opportunity to make a difference.
A Message for the Next Generation
Yahaira’s growth is perhaps most visible when she considers how far she has come from the student who once hesitated to share her opinions. Today, she is preparing to participate in a career panel at her alma mater, where she will talk with students about her college and career experiences. Fifteen years ago, she was a student wondering what her future might hold. Now, she can stand before students and share what she has learned along the way. She hopes they will see that their futures do not have to be limited by what they know today or by the doubts they may feel right now.
Her message is simple: This can be you.
What She Carries Forward
When Yahaira reflects on what she carries with her from College Possible, she returns to dedication: dedication to her goals, her community, and doing her best in whatever she takes on.
Yahaira once had mentors who believed in her potential and helped her see a future beyond what she knew. Now, she is helping others recognize that same potential within themselves.
She carries the preparation that opened doors, the community that helped her find her voice, and the dedication that continues to move her forward. Most importantly, she carries the belief that a person’s starting point does not have to determine their destination.
And as she helps the next generation take its first steps toward the future, Yahaira is living proof of what can happen when encouragement meets opportunity—and when someone who was once supported becomes the person who helps others believe, I can do this, too.
