“College means life to me.”

For Shama Delawarzai, college means life. As a refugee from Afghanistan and 2024 graduate of City Heights Prep Charter School, Shama speaks to challenges and opportunities from unique perspectives.

She is one of eight siblings who arrived with their parents from the war-torn country in 2020. She and two of her siblings will be the first in their family to attend college. Her father dreamed of higher education but never had the opportunity. Today, Mr. Delawarzai dreams of his children earning degrees. Shamai’s mother did not attended school at all.

When she arrived in America, Shama spoke no English. Despite that challenge, she soon enrolled herself and all of her siblings in school.

Today, she helps support the family by working at TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores.

 “Seeing my family suffering from financial insufficiency motivates me to go to college,” Shamai said. “College means life to me. I feel like college can change destiny, and I believe that college can end poverty, sadness and depression.”

Shama is determined to attend medical school and become an OB/GYN.

“I believe the power of education can change lives,” she said.