In a press release, she said, “I always dreamed of going to college but decided to follow my gymnastics dreams full time, which didn’t make it possible for me. I had planned to attend UCLA but had to defer because of my training schedule. I still want to pursue a college degree, and the University of the People offers me the flexibility I need to fit in my studies around my career. I enrolled at the University of the People because I believe in higher education, and want to help share that opportunity for others around the world.”
She also said, “Being a foster child myself, and knowing what it means to have the odds stacked against you, I decided to give a hand in opening this scholarship fund for foster kids and others and hope others will join me. At the end of the day, life circumstances shouldn’t define you or keep you from your goals. I believe in the power of hard work. I know that dedication and desire can make the impossible possible, and I want to help remove barriers that keep a college degree out of reach for those that truly want it.”