A Leap of Faith into Higher Education
Angel never imagined she’d one day be serving in the Kansas Legislature. Raised in Nebraska and now living in Kansas, she grew up in foster care, surrounded by public servants—legislators, educators, and social workers—who shaped her view of the world. But back then, her focus was on simply making it to college. As a first-generation student, Angel leaned on programs like Upward Bound, which encouraged her to apply for scholarships.
The Dell Scholars program stood out, not just for its financial aid but for the practical resources it provided. Despite initial doubts about her chances, Angel took a leap of faith, shared her story in her application, and was selected. “Buying a laptop wasn’t in the cards for my family,” Angel recalls. “But in college, it was a necessity. Dell Scholars made that possible.” The support didn’t stop there. Throughout college, the Dell Scholars team checked in on her regularly. When she struggled in her first semester, failing classes due to non-attendance, it was one of those check-ins that gave her the push to turn things around. The next semester, she finished with straight A’s.
Stepping Into Public Service
A drive to serve others eventually led her to politics. While still in college, Angel started attending local government meetings and later helped run the campaign for a city government race. Then, community leaders encouraged her to run for office herself. At first, she hesitated. It took a month of prayer, conversations with her husband, and reflection before she decided to go for it. “I wanted to represent my community—not just a party,” Angel says. “A lot of people lose themselves in primary elections, trying to fit into a political mold. I stayed true to my values, and I won.”
In August 2024, Angel won her primary election by just 28 votes. That victory, followed by a hard-fought general election campaign, led to her being elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in November 2024. Her win was historic: she became one of the youngest legislators in state history and one of the first former foster youth to hold office in her district.
