“After being stuck in a house for two years and not having to try at school, I didn’t see the point of it anymore”. Reagan Roberts had already been through a lot by her junior year of high school. Her dad died just months before Covid hit and school was either closed or remote for the next two years. When it was time to return to school, Reagan was also dealing with depression and anxiety. Going to school seemed more pointless than ever. Her boyfriend kept talking up the Simon Youth Academy at Greenfield-Central, though. “They had snacks every morning, comfortable seating, and one-on-one help”.

What happened after she enrolled at the Academy was a transformation. “Everything that I learned from the teachers at the Academy helped me achieve my goals. Having a counselor 10 steps away helped so much too. I could go in there and ask for life advice, lessons, and more. They helped me get my mental health right. I’ve always known that I could make a way for myself with the love and support I have from my family, but having teachers who believed in me, and my success helped me even more”.

Another thing Reagan has always known, she’s wanted to be her own boss. She’s always had her own ideas about how things ought to be done and loved the idea of having a personal connection with her customers. Being able to set her own hours was an added bonus. For these reasons, cosmetology was her chosen career field. She was surprised and delighted to find out from her counselor at the Simon Youth Academy at Greenfield-Central Schools that Simon Youth Academy Scholarships not only support students seeking 2- and 4-year degrees but those seeking state and nationally recognized certifications as well.

The 2023 Academy graduate was shocked to find out she would receive a scholarship at her graduation ceremony but knew just how to put it to good use, at PJ’s College of Cosmetology. Reagan said of receiving her scholarship, “It made me feel confident and special knowing that I was capable of receiving a scholarship”. Receiving the scholarship also helped remove the stress of how to pay for her post-secondary education and allowed her to concentrate on her classes and practicums. In the year since she graduated high school, Reagan has already completed her cosmetology courses and is looking forward to passing her state licensing exam. She’s already started her career and enjoys marketing her services on her social media pages to gain new clients. She is looking forward to having her own shop one day, preferably in Florida.