DENVER – Jhoni Palmer is a trendsetter in her family.
“First gen. First to graduate high school and the first to go to college,” she said. “They're excited that I'm going to college and getting my degree.”
The first year political science major at Metropolitan State University of Denver had hoped to start her college career on the East Coast.
“So when that really wasn't the possibility through the pandemic, I got hooked up with Metro because they offer a lot of student support that I was looking for.”
Palmer’s journey to college started with a trip to the Future Center at Denver’s East High School. Funded by the Denver Scholarship Foundation, counselors in the Future Centers help students find what’s right for them after high school, whether that’s college or something else.
“I had a will to go and I wanted to go to college, but I didn't know what steps to take or how to go about even applying,” she remembered.
Palmer has spent the past four years inspiring fellow students at East to become involved in the school board and issues impacting their community. She hopes to continue down that path in college and beyond.
“I would hope to end the school-to-prison pipeline and make education equitable for all students including Black and brown students.”
She feels that goal is attainable thanks to the Denver Scholarship Foundation making her dream to go to college a reality.
“To the donors: Thank you for investing in something that is literally the future of our nation,” she said.
To learn more about the Denver Scholarship Foundation Future Centers or donate to the DSF, visit DenverScholarship.org.