At age 13, Armani was very smart, but she was spending time with the wrong crowd. “I was exposed to people making bad choices, and I was making those bad choices with them,” she explained. She knew something had to change or her future would be at stake.
Soon, Armani started making positive changes. She got involved in activities and programs such as IMPACT, where she found the support she needed to get on track. In IMPACT, Armani received college preparation help and participated in ACT study sessions. Most importantly, Armani built connections with other teens determined to make good choices. “Going to jail isn’t a big deal for a lot of my peers, but I don’t surround myself with people who are a bad influence anymore,” she said.
Armani graduated from high school in 2012 after serving as a member of her school’s National Honor Society, vice president of the student council and captain of the math team. Today, she is studying at the University of Minnesota and plans to pursue a degree in International Business and Entrepreneurial Management.