Biola Famimiko. Manchester High school, Class of 2012. Campbell University, 2012-13. Graduated from University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), Class 2016, Mass Communications.

How did GRASP and its advisors help you in high school/college?

My GRASP advisor helped me understand the FAFSA system, and during my first year of college, the scholarship helped pay for my books.

What are you doing now?

I'm currently an ESL teacher in Chesterfield County. This is my 5th year teaching ESL and I really enjoy it. [GRASP advisors reconnected with Biola during the Chamber RVA Mission Tomorrow event for Richmond area 8th graders this past October. Biola was at the event with 8th grade students and mentioned that she had gotten a GRASP scholarship in high school! ]

What advice would you give to high school students?

Explore options! Explore any and every option in high school, college, and beyond because you never know who or where you will end up. Many times, you will discover what you like and what you don't like during this process. Remember, you control the type of life you want to live.

What is the biggest life challenge you faced relative to your educational path?

Post-college graduation was very difficult. I had my degree, but I wasn't clear what jobs or field I wanted to go into. Finding a job was also difficult, and I ended up in a job that wasn't fulfilling, didn't pay well, and wasn't close to my field of study. During COVID, I went back to school and got certified as an ESL teacher, I started traveling again, and here I found my love for teaching, and every day I blend the skills I learned from my Mass Communication teachers in High School and College into my teaching career today.

Traveling has been something I love and something that has allowed me to develop myself as a person and teacher. I've now traveled to 6 countries and lived temporarily in 2 countries. I continue to learn Spanish and how language plays a factor in how we communicate. This brings my educational life full circle in terms of my Mass Communications degree.

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If you are a former GRASP student and would like to share your story, email Paula Buckley, pbuckley@grasp4va.org.