Tahjaray
Patricia Michels Memorial Scholarship Recipient
YouthBuild Graduate
Tahjaray is no stranger to challenges or adversities. She has faced several in her lifetime but always came out stronger than she was before. She moved from Virginia to New York to provide a better life for herself and her son.
The search for an improved quality of life led her to YouthBuild Long Island. Her goal was to gain her TASC high school equivalency diploma because, without it, college was not possible and her job prospects were few.
The YouthBuild curriculum and activities brought out the best in Tahjaray. She found a support system that would not allow her to quit on herself even in her most trying times. She pushed herself, sometimes through tears, but did not give up. Through confidence building exercises, Tahjaray discovered the qualities about herself that were dormant… her confidence grew and she was ready to take the TASC exam.
When she passed the exam, Tahjaray notes, “I still remember when they told me I had the highest score, I thought the staff was kidding. I really didn’t believe it. I didn’t even know I had it in me.” Thanks to YouthBuild, Tahjaray’s future now looks a lot more promising.
Tahjaray’s career goal is to be a nurse and she has applied for CNA training with the Long Island Educational Opportunity Center. She looks forward to a career that will provide financial stability for her family.
Tahjaray is a 2019 recipient of the Patricia Michels Memorial Scholarship which provides academic scholarships to deserving young women attending YouthBuild who wish to pursue their dreams and aspirations by attending an accredited college, university or technical school.