Kansas Kids at GEAR UP

Meet Amaya Virden — a 2026 Wichita State Social Work graduate, first-generation college student, and former Kansas Kids at GEAR UP student and scholar.

Amaya didn't let her time in the foster care system define her — she grew through it, and credits much of her success to her experiences. She completed her practicum with CASA of Sedgwick County as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, recruiting and training others to amplify foster youth voices. A full-circle moment for her.

In her words: "Statistics predict I shouldn't be where I am today. I want to encourage other foster youth that their voices matter and they can and will go far no matter what their 'predicted' outcome is."

We're so proud of you, Amaya. Keep going. ❤️

Student Highlight! 🌟

Meet Thor 👋

A senior graduate at Derby High with post-secondary plans, and a heart full of love and resilience ❤️

Thor's headed to WSU Tech this fall to pursue an associate's degree in welding — but the road here wasn't a straight one. He grew up in foster care and moved around several times before finding stability. Today, he's deeply grateful to his older brother and sister-in-law, who stepped up, took him in, and helped him find his footing.

Some of his hobbies and fun facts:
🎣 Multi-time Fishing Club competition winner at Derby High
🪖 Past member of AFJROTC and the Swim & Dive team
🎮 Loves gaming and hanging out with friends
💃 Showing off his dance moves
🗡️Attended at least 25-30 Renaissance fairs a year
🏈 His favorite high school memory is his first Derby football game after moving from Larned.

Thor also has some words of wisdom for underclassmen — check out the graphic above ⬆️

We're so proud of you, Thor. The world's lucky to have you in it!

Story by Emma Searle / Work-Based Learning

Meet the people in your corner. 💛

Every campus visit, every check-in, every "you've got this" text — it comes from this crew. We're counselors, mentors, planners, hype people, and proof that there are adults out here who genuinely want you to win.

Wave hi if you spot your GEAR UP person. 👋

Just a Monday post to admire our therapy dog friends Chaos & Pandora. 😍

Aren't they adorable? 🥹

Our students love them!

🎓 Up to $7,500. No essay. No recommendation letter. Just 10 minutes of your time. ⬇️



EmberHope
KVC Kansas
TFI: The Family Initiative
Cornerstones of Care
Saint Francis Ministries

New Staff Member on the block! 🚨

Meet Jayce Meyer, our new College Access Advisor serving the Lawrence, Kansas area.

On May 26–27, Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP and Haysville GEAR UP collaborated to launch The Vibe Factory as part of their summer kickoff. The event took place at the Marcus Welcome Center and Wichita State Connect, bringing over 200 students to campus. GEAR UP West & South and GEAR UP Heights & Southeast joined in as well.

During The Vibe Factory, students engaged in social-emotional learning and critical thinking challenges. We also had therapy dogs Pandora and Chaos joining us both days. By the end, students walked away with a resilient attitude, new connections, and a sense of the Shocker atmosphere.

Yesterday we kicked off summer with The Vibe Factory 🎉

Students dove into social-emotional learning through hands-on activities, including The Maze, where they had to navigate a grid square by square with zero communication. Teamwork, patience, problem-solving, all without saying a word.