Jessica Kimball, Lunenburg Central High School, Class of 2018. Virginia Western Community College, Class of 2023 (AAS Registered Nurse).

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

GRASP and its advisors helped turn my dreams into a reality. I was honored to receive a scholarship during a Senior Night Awards Program while attending Central High School in 2018 which helped to kick off my college journey. While enduring my studies at VWCC, I was honored another scholarship via GRASP that couldn’t have come at a better time.

What are you doing now?

I am proud to announce I am now a Cardiac PCU nurse at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. I am currently awaiting my letter from the state to test for my Registered Nurse License.

What one piece of “educational advice” would you give to high school students?

If I could give one piece of educational advice to a high school student it would be to not ever give up. I know that sounds cliché, but I genuinely mean it, please do not ever give up on your dreams no matter how far fetch those dreams may seem.

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

Growing up in a small town, opportunities to become something more than what you came from seemed unachievable. I knew I needed to work hard and achieve grades that would take me places, but also I needed to move to a place where opportunities were more accessible and land a job that would help support those dreams.

Just when I thought everything was headed in the right direction as I was accepted into the Nursing Program at VWCC and moved to Roanoke, VA, the COVID 19 pandemic hit. While the entire world was under distress all I wanted to do was make a difference. I needed to finish school. I needed to obtain my RN to become a nurse. But how could I? I just lost my job as a waitress. I could barely afford food or my rent, what made me think I could continue to pay for college?

While enduring all of this, I received another email from GRASP about a scholarship application. What a miracle.

I applied.

I received.

I continued my education.

I graduated.

I did it. All with the help of GRASP.

The road to success wasn’t easy, but it was achievable. Believe me when I say, do not ever give up. You will succeed. I am a first generation college graduate, and you can be one too.