Shaping Your Future Videos

Student Stories

Alec's Story

Alec is in his first year at a community college and participating in a program called The Power of You. He says, “I’m taking care of myself now. I don’t like to rely on others.”
2:31 minutes

Amber's Story

Amber knew she wanted to go to college, but since neither of her parents went to college she found it difficult to find information on the process. She says, "My biggest challenge was proving myself –so now I can go wherever I want."
2:27 minutes

Ashley's Story

Ashley strugged in high school and was a victim of bullying. Though she wants to provide for herself, she says college isn't about getting a high-paying job, but accomplishing a goal. She wants to tell others, "don't let anybody stop you."
2:58 minutes

Danielle's Story

Danielle is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and lives in Cass Lake. She attends a community college and would like to eventually transfer to a four year college to earn her bachelor's degree. "I feel like I"m on a good path because if I want to have a career that I enjoy doing, I need to go to school."
2:25 minutes

Frank's Story

Frank grew up on a small farm just North of Little Falls. He would like to have a career in biotechnologies and work to develop new farming products and ways to farm. He talks about how his participation in the PSEO program during high school helped prepare him for college and saved him money.
2:41 minutes

Kevin's Story

Kevin was raised in El Salvador and moved to Minnesota at age 10. He spoke no English when he arrived and struggled in school. He graduated from an alternative program and is now in his first year at a community college. Kevin encourages others to "believe in yourself . . . anything is possible."
2:52 minutes

Maiyer's Story

Maiyer says that college is nothing like high school. Her parents do not speak English, so she relied on her siblings to help her find information about college. As a college student, she has learned to manage her time successfully. "Everyone has one life. You want to make the most of it."
1:57 minutes

Mary Jane's Story

Mary Jane wants to continue her education to be a better role model for her younger siblings. She acknowledges that high school was hard, but she has found support from counselors and various programs in college to help her succeed.
1:28 minutes

Mike's Story

Mike wants to be a film director and is currently working his way through college as a production manager for the MN Flying Aces. "Being in college makes me feel like I'm in control of my life."
2:44 minutes

Monte's Story

Monte didn't plan on going to college, but a high school counselor inspired him to want to do something with his life. He decided, "I'm going to college. I'm going to set an example for my siblings."
2:15 minutes

Ramla & Ayan's Story

Ramla and Ayan are sisters and both attend college together. They were both born in Kenya, and came to the United States two years ago. Their parents did not go to college, but always encouraged the girls to get an education. Ayan says, “If I educate myself, I will help myself and my family and my community.”
2:47 minutes

Royal's Story

Royal is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, raised by a single mother. He wants to further his education to be able to give back to his community. After a brief incarceration, he decided to make changes to his life for his future and for the future of his children.
1:52 minutes

Sametta's Story

Sametta came to the U.S. from Liberia when she was 7 years old. Her mother passed away a year later and Sametta did not have a stable home to live in throughout high school. As a college student, she tells others to "look down deep inside and know that you can do it."
2:42 minutes

Tylan's Story

Tylan is in his third year of college. He wanted the experience of going to college, and realized it was up to him to make it happen. He says, “When you learn how things work around you –it makes you want to learn more.”
2:52 minutes

Vernon's Story

Vernon grew up in foster care around the Leech Lake area. Despite not having a support network while growing up, Vernon graduated from high school as a valedictorian and is majoring in science in college. He says, "When you get on the bottom, there is always a way for you to get back on top."
2:14 minutes

Parent Stories

Arthur & Staci's Story

Arthur is the parent of five daughters. His youngest daughter, Staci, is a 27-year-old college student and single mother. He didn’t go to college, but has always explained the importance of school to Staci. He sees an education as a ticket to success, saying, “Why get a job for $5 an hour when you can do better?”
3:16 minutes

 

Connie & Misty's Story

Connie had previously received a certificate, but went back to school to obtain a degree. Her daughter Misty dropped out of school in ninth grade. After earning her GED, Misty now attends college with her mother. Connie supports her daughter's decision to attend college, and relays the importance of postsecondary education to other families.
2:41 minutes

Joann & Alec's Story

Joann and Alec Joann wanted to make sure that her son, Alec, had the opportunity to get a better job. She says, “Back when I was in school, you could get a good job even without high school. Now, no matter what you want to do – you have to go to college.” She wouold like to tell other parents to never give up.
3:14 minutes

Louisa & Louis' Story

Louisa is the mother of Louis, who is in his first year at a community college. Louisa was unable to continue her education when she became a teenage mother at age 15. She pushed her son to graduate from high school and attend college. "I want society to benefit from his existence," she says.
2:34 minutes

Noemi & William's Story

Noemi is the mother of William, who is in his first year of college. She says the whole point of William going to college is to make him better than what she has done for herself. She wants her son to go further.
3:49 minutes