Student Spotlights

Updated: 8.12.26

Meet Jayden
We received an incredible update from KCOR scholarship recipient Jayden Goodding, who recently returned from a semester studying abroad in Rome, Italy.

Thanks to scholarship support from Kids’ Chance of Oregon, Jayden shared that the full cost of her study abroad program fees was covered — making an experience possible that she described as both educational and deeply personal.

Jayden wrote that she applied for this scholarship because she wanted to study abroad, knowing it would benefit both her education and her personal growth. She also shared that she has worked to use the circumstances of her past “as a launching pad rather than a mental or emotional blockage.” After spending a semester in Europe, she said the experience did that “and so much more.”

While in Rome, Jayden attended the American University of Rome, taking courses in Art History, Italian Design, and Italian Language. Her art history classes brought her directly into the city, where she toured churches, historic buildings, and learned about the architects and cultural influences behind them. She described Rome as a city “you can’t not fall in love with,” filled with history, tradition, food, language, and connection.

During her time abroad, Jayden also traveled to Spain, France, Portugal, Denmark, Hungary, Austria, and England. She shared that she met people from around the world, built meaningful friendships, and gained memories and experiences she “could’ve never dreamed of.”



One of the most powerful parts of Jayden’s update was her reflection on human connection. She wrote that it is one of the most important things we can nurture, and that while she loves her hometown and family, there is a vast world to discover — and she is grateful she had the chance to experience more of it.

This is what scholarship support can do. It does more than help cover costs — it opens doors, builds confidence, expands perspective, and helps students see what is possible.

Meet Theo
We recently received a thoughtful update from Theo, one of our Kids’ Chance of Oregon scholarship recipients, along with a new photo.

Theo shared that it has now been more than five years since his dad’s heart attack, which led to his disability retirement. He reflected on how that moment changed life for his family, while also sharing the growth, focus, and opportunities he has worked hard to build since then.

This past year, Theo changed his major to Accounting after discovering a genuine interest in the field. He shared that the analytical and creative nature of accounting aligns with his long-term goal of pursuing corporate law.

Theo also became involved with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, where accounting students help prepare taxes for low-income members of the community. What began as a way to gain experience became something more meaningful, giving him the chance to help solve real problems for people and experience the fulfillment that comes from making a difference.

This summer, Theo is taking another big step forward through an internship with McMillan Woods Partners in Singapore, working in audit accounting. He shared how grateful he is for the opportunity to live and work abroad while continuing to build experience connected to his future goals. 

Theo’s update is a powerful reminder of the long-term impact of scholarship support. In his own words, KCOR’s support has helped make it possible for him to stay close to family, remain focused on school, and continue building the future he once hoped for.

“Your support has played a large part in making this possible.” - Theo Iverson

Meet Ella
Ella, one of our Kids’ Chance of Oregon scholarship recipients, is preparing to begin her final year at the University of Oregon, where she is pursuing a degree in biology and global health.

For Ella, receiving a Kids’ Chance scholarship has helped open doors to opportunities she may not have otherwise had. She shared that the support has changed the course of her life for the better and expressed deep gratitude for those who have helped make her education possible.

As she enters this exciting final year, Ella continues to work toward her academic and career goals with determination and gratitude. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time outdoors running and hiking, reading, and relaxing with her pets.



We are so proud of Ella and honored to be part of her journey. Her story is a meaningful reminder of the impact scholarship support can have on a student’s life, future, and opportunities.

Meet Carina
Carina Flowers is currently in her second and final year of dental hygiene school, pursuing a career path that became especially meaningful after conversations with her parents before her father passed away.

Carina’s dad, Brian Flowers, served as a firefighter with the Gresham Fire Department for 15 years. In April 2023, he was diagnosed with Occupational Acute Myeloid Leukemia, a rare blood cancer. Sadly, he passed away seven months later in November 2023.

Losing her father has been unbelievably challenging for Carina and her family. She has two younger brothers — one who is now following in their dad’s footsteps as a firefighter with Gresham, and another who is preparing to graduate high school.

Before her dad passed, Carina had talked with both of her parents about possible career paths and shared her interest in dental hygiene. With support from Kids’ Chance of Oregon and its donors, that dream became an achievable goal.

Carina shared that receiving a Kids’ Chance scholarship not only helped her continue her education, but also opened the door to meaningful opportunities to give back. This summer, she traveled to Jamaica with her dental hygiene cohort to provide free dental care to local communities — an experience she described as life-changing.

For Carina, scholarship support has made a lasting difference during an incredibly difficult season of life. She shared how grateful she is for the people who care and are willing to support students as they navigate life after the loss of a parent.

Carina is now focused on completing her final year of dental hygiene school. Outside of her studies, she enjoys crocheting, reading, junk journaling, pilates, yoga, walking her dog, and spending time outdoors.



We are so proud of Carina and honored to support her as she continues working toward her dream career. Her story is a powerful reminder that scholarship support does more than help with school — it helps students keep moving forward, give back to others, and build a future their families would be proud of.

Meet Michael
Michael is continuing to make strong progress in his college journey, balancing a demanding course load in both engineering and mathematics while maintaining an impressive 3.97 GPA.

Now wrapping up his third semester of major-specific coursework, Michael shared that he feels confident he has found the right path in Industrial Engineering. His interest in the field continues to grow, and he is excited to put his education into practice through an upcoming summer internship with the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

During the internship, Michael will help create a standardized work process and guide for inspecting the soil nails that help secure retaining walls along highways. It is a meaningful opportunity for him to apply what he is learning in the classroom to real-world engineering work.

Looking ahead, Michael will continue with another semester of industrial engineering classes, followed by a spring semester focused heavily on mathematics as he works toward completing both majors. He remains on track to graduate in four years.



Michael shared that support from Kids’ Chance of Oregon has given him the opportunity to focus fully on the fields he loves without the added burden of trying to fund his education during the school year. With two majors and a rigorous academic schedule, that support has made a meaningful difference.

We are proud of Michael’s hard work, focus, and dedication, and we are grateful to be part of his educational journey. His story is a wonderful reminder of how scholarship support helps students pursue challenging goals, explore their passions, and prepare for meaningful careers.