Xandra Vaughn, a foster-youth student and a graduate of Moreno Valley College, was selected to participate in the state’s Foster Youth Shadow Day. Vaughn and 39 other nationally selected foster youth spent a day shadowing Representative Karen Bass (CA-37) and other representatives. Vaughn entered foster care at the age of six. Representative Bass founded the Foster Youth Shadow Day a decade ago. In order to be selected for Congressional Foster Youth Shadow Day, foster youth from across the nation wrote letters expressing their desire and why they should be selected. After being selected, each is matched up with a representative.

Nationwide just three percent of foster youth successfully earn a four year degree. In fact, only about half of the youth raised in foster care complete their high school studies. Vaughn, 30, graduated from Moreno Valley College and transferred to California State University, San Bernardino. There she plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in policy. While attending Moreno Valley College, Vaughn was introduced to the Next-Up/Guardian Scholars program which is committed to supporting current and former foster youth exiting from the foster care system.