When Gigi moved to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, she discovered not only her potential in high school activities but also her capacity for success as a college student and beyond. At Boys Ranch, she was heavily involved, participating in basketball, track, cross country, student council, and the diversity club. Gigi credits these activities and the supportive adults in her life for encouraging her to push herself and envision a bright future after Boys Ranch.

“They pushed me to achieve great things and be the best person I could be,” Gigi said. “Before coming to Boys Ranch, college wasn’t really talked about. My mentors there told me I had what it took to succeed in college.”

With that encouragement, Gigi chose to attend Ball State University in Indiana to be closer to her parents. Now a college sophomore, she’s already immersing herself in campus life. One of her new passions is dance—something she hadn’t tried before.

“Dance is something I got involved in because sports were my main outlet in high school, and I knew I’d need a new hobby in college,” Gigi said. “Here, I’ve been able to join a dance team, make friendships, build good connections, and just have fun.”

Beyond dance, Gigi has found a strong sense of community and purpose through The Impact Movement, a Black Christian student organization dedicated to outreach and sharing faith. Gigi has traveled extensively with The Impact Movement. This connection to faith and community has been an anchor as Gigi navigates life after Boys Ranch.

“When I graduated high school, I knew I didn’t want to spend my young adult years making careless mistakes. I’d rather take life seriously now, stay focused on my studies, and build a solid foundation,” she said. “When I graduate, I can enjoy life without regrets or feeling like I’m catching up. Realizing I was stepping into true independence made me take my faith more seriously, too. That’s been the biggest shift for me—maturity and leaning on my faith.”

Gigi’s faith has also supported her academic success. As a nursing student at Ball State, she’s involved in a nursing group that helps members tackle the rigorous coursework. She’s focused on excelling because her ultimate dream is to become a travel nurse—a career that will allow her to combine her love for helping others with her passion for exploring the world.

“I love exploring new places and seeing the world,” Gigi said. “That’s a big goal for me, but ultimately, I’m open to wherever the Lord leads.”