College+ Spotlight: Deenie Bulyalert

My name is Deenie Bulyalert. My journey through College Dreams started at North Middle School as a little sixth grader who had just gone through one of the biggest changes a kid can go through, starting middle school. I was called out of class to talk to a stranger about a program I knew nothing about, but little did I know that stranger was Brenda, and the program would change my life.

Everyone tells you that middle school and high school are the time to figure out who you are, that’s a lot to ask of a teenager. But when you have people like Brenda, it makes it a little easier.

I’ve always been the type of kid who had to figure things out on her own, the one who had to raise herself, because my parents always had to work to keep a roof over our heads and couldn’t offer a lot of support. That feeling of not being supported, of being alone in a chaotic world, isn’t easy, but Brenda was always there by my side, helping me one step at a time.

Be the Change, Make the Change was by far the best event I did with College Dreams, I got the honor of speaking at that event, and it made me feel welcomed and more confident in my public speaking. Every college campus tour I get invited to is also really amazing, it helps me decide what college I want to attend when I’m older, and I get to share that information with peers who aren’t in College Dreams or weren’t able to go on the trip.

I now attend Grants Pass High School and like to stay involved at school. You only get so many years, so you might as well spend them doing something good. I know what it feels like to be invisible, and being involved lets me help others not feel alone, to support them on their journey of finding themselves, and to reassure them that their life has worth.

Without College Dreams, I wouldn’t be nearly as far as I am today. I wouldn’t know that my life has meaning, that I’m not just taking up space, and that I have the ability to change someone’s life. College Dreams is part of my life and will always hold a special place in my heart. My ultimate dream is to help change this world, and I’m on my way to doing it.