Amaya was a member of Girls Inc. PNW programming from third grade all the way through high school graduation. She participated in Girls Groups, CommuniCARE, Girls Council (now Leadership Council), and Eureka!

She used to be someone who would freeze up at the thought of speaking out in front of a class. She lacked confidence at a young age, and as a young girl in the public school system, specifically a young girl of color, she began to believe that she wasn’t good enough. When she started Girls Inc. in third grade, she had no idea how much Girls Inc. would impact her life and character. She didn’t come from a background where things like healthy relationships, consent, and obstacles to success were often discussed, and she didn’t always know what exactly was possible. Girls Inc. PNW started these conversations for her.

Not only did the programs and guidance from the people at Girls Inc. PNW create a basis of confidence and empowerment in her life, but they also motivated her to stop being shy and closed off and instead fight for what she wanted, speak up, and be active in her community to create change. Girls Inc. taught her how to be a leader. She became a Rose Festival Princess, Captain of her Cheer Team, and Vice President of the Black Student Union.

Amaya graduated from our first Girls Inc. PNW Eureka! class and high school in the same year. She is the first person in her family to go to college. She is currently a student at Pitzer College and is involved in the student senate! Most recently, she was connected to an internship at Tillamook through her Girls Inc. PNW network.