In just a few shorts weeks, Deja’nae will be graduating high school, ready to embark on an exciting new chapter of her life. Her Girls Inc. story begins more than a decade ago when she began attending Girls Inc. of Omaha at the age of five. But really, the impact of Girls Inc. extends well beyond that time since Deja’nae’s mom also attended Girls Inc. From the very beginning, Deja’nae found at Girls Inc. a place to build her confidence, discover her interests and strengths, and broaden her horizons.

First Loves

Growing up, Girls Inc. was more than just a place to go after school for Deja’nae — it was also a place to dream big and set and achieve her goals. It’s where Deja’nae discovered her love of science and math, which eventually led to her desire to become a veterinarian. She recalls being challenged at Girls Inc., stating, “Girls Inc. gave us harder math problems to complete than in our regular school setting. This foundation early on made me prepared to take honors classes once I got to high school.”

With the confidence and STEM experiences she gained at Girls Inc., Deja’nae has built an impressive work history having completed externships at the Nebraska Humane Society, The Good Karma Dog Center, and the Fontenelle Forest.

Growing In Confidence

Having mentors in her life has also inspired and empowered her along the way. Her mentor Lena has served as a support system by attending her basketball games and cheer competitions. And she’s pushed Deja’nae outside of her comfort zone. In fact, she helped Deja’nae push past her fears to travel cross-country with Girls Inc. on multiple occasions, visiting such places as New Orleans, the Grand Canyon, and Southern California. These experiences have allowed Deja’nae to foster a sense of independence and confidence.

“Girls Inc. gave us harder math problems to complete than in our regular school setting. This foundation early on made me prepared to take honors classes once I got to high school.”

Eyes Forward

Deja’nae is wrapping up a strong senior year. She is currently a member of The National Honor Society, senior class board, Varsity Cheer Team, and is taking classes at The Omaha Zoo and The University of Nebraska. This fall, she plans to attend one of the many universities that she was accepted to, perhaps University of Nebraska-Omaha, pursuing a science degree and continuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian.