My name is Karyna Whalen. I’m 13 years old and I’m rocking the homeschool life. Homeschooling’s awesome because I get to manage my time my way. That means more family time, drawing to my heart’s content, snacks anytime I want, and I also have the freedom to travel and learn from new places! I love diving into Biology and History, though I admit math gives me a tough time. And, not gonna lie, it gets lonely sometimes. That’s why Girls Inc is like a second home to me. It’s where my friends are, where I’m happiest, and where we jump into awesome activities.

This spring, we got our hands dirty with this heart pump project—it was awesome! We used a jar, some red water, a balloon, and straws to create a model of a beating heart. It was amazing to simulate a beating heart and it was super fun to get messy. Then, there were the convection ghosts. Imagine drawing spooky faces on tea bags, setting them on fire, and watching them lift off—it was like magic!

Summer Camp at Girls Inc was a game-changer for me. It’s where I met a bunch of new friends and got super creative with art and fashion projects, like painting with watercolors and putting on a runway show. I’m still figuring out what I want to do in the future, but I know it’ll be something where I can unleash my creativity. Perhaps a Graphic Designer? The sky’s the limit, and I’m just getting started.

But here’s the thing—none of this would be possible without your support. Girls Inc has given me, and so many others, a place to belong, to grow, and to dream. Thank you for believing in us and for making all these amazing experiences possible.