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Meet Tray’Lee, Class of 2025
OneGoal Year 3 Fellow Tray’Lee Ashley delivered an invigorating speech at the 3rd Annual OneGoal Big and Bright Luncheon in Houston, Texas. The following is a transcript of Tray’Lee’s remarks about her postsecondary journey and the lasting impact OneGoal has made throughout.
Good afternoon, everyone! My name is Tray’Lee Ashley. I am a proud graduate of The G.W. Carver Magnet High School, a first-year student classified as a sophomore at the illustrious Prairie View A&M University and a current OneGoal Year 3 Fellow.
Overcoming the Odds:
Joining OneGoal
Being able to say that I am a current OneGoal Year 3 Fellow is a mix of relief and gratitude, because I almost wasn’t part of the program. On the day of the OneGoal mandatory interest meeting, I was off-campus competing in UIL with my Tommy Tune Award-winning, state-champion theatre group. Thankfully, that was not the end of my OneGoal story. I was still able to submit my application and was accepted into the OneGoal program.
Advising & Exposure
in Junior Year
Before I joined OneGoal, I didn’t know a few things. I didn’t know I needed a brag sheet to give to recommenders, or how far in advance to ask. I didn’t know what the FAFSA was or the steps required to enroll in college. I thought I was adequately prepared for college, and it turns out that I truly was not. That changed when I met my Year 1 OneGoal Program Director and teacher, Mr. Tong, who had also been my freshman geometry teacher. Walking into that class felt like the start of something new. I saw familiar faces, but more importantly, I gained a new direction. OneGoal helped me explore colleges, refine my goals, and understand the steps needed to get there. Mr. Tong gave me the tools needed to begin preparing for my future.
Through OneGoal, I was also afforded the opportunity to have early college exposure, as I was able to tour Sam Houston State University and Texas Southern University. That early exposure allowed me to thoughtfully consider what I wanted academically, financially, personally, and holistically. In fact, Texas Southern quickly became one of my top choices because of that experience.
The Impact of OneGoal Advising
During Senior Year
My postsecondary preparation and OneGoal support didn’t end there. The following year was a blessing in disguise as I was placed into Ms. Hammock’s Year 2 OneGoal class. Although I was no longer with my initial Year 1 cohort, Ms. Hammock’s class accepted me with open arms. I will always remember and appreciate Ms. Hammock sitting down with me as I completed my FAFSA application. She supported me throughout the entire application to ensure I completed everything correctly. She was patient, thorough, and fully present.
Throughout my time in Ms. Hammock’s class, she continued to support me in every step and provided the necessary information and guidance on how we can better prepare ourselves for our postsecondary journeys, from choosing a college to applying for housing and editing scholarship essays. Because of guidance from Ms. Hammock and OneGoal staff member Ms. Caldwell, I was able to secure major scholarships, including $20,000 from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Deciphering College Cost
Although I had more resources and knowledge afforded to me through OneGoal, I still encountered challenges, especially when it came to weighing my options for which school I wanted to attend, aligned with what area of study, and that I could afford all four years. Trying to read and understand financial aid award letters and compare the cost of attendance for the universities I was accepted to, like The University of Texas at Austin, Howard University, Prairie View A&M University, Louisiana State University, Texas Southern University, Florida A&M University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Sam Houston State University, and many others, was overwhelming.
I was unsure where to start, but that changed when I met Ms. Sanders, a Senior Director of Postsecondary Success at OneGoal. I first met her at the beginning of the spring semester of my senior year when she presented an Introduction to Year 3 to my OneGoal class. She talked about the support OneGoals Fellows would still receive after graduation and that she and her team were in our corner, passionate, knowledgeable, and advocates on our behalf. She also said that we could always reach out to the OneGoal Postsecondary Team if we ever needed help, so I decided to take her word for it.
When I reached out to her, she didn’t hesitate; she prioritized my concerns and made it her mission to help me. She helped me break everything down in detail: estimated cost of attendance, financial aid packages, out-of-pocket costs with loans and without for each of my top schools. With her assistance and support, I was able to make a confident and informed decision about where to enroll.
Motivation and Guidance
During College
My time in OneGoal during high school was filled with community, support, fun, and unforgettable experiences. I graduated third in my class, was accepted into my top choices for my college education, and was nominated by my peers and crowned OneGoal Queen at the OneGoal Senior Banquet. More importantly, I left high school knowing I had a strong support system behind me, and that support did not stop after graduation.
Consistent Postsecondary Support
As a Year 3 Fellow, I’ve received consistent, one-on-one guidance and support throughout my first year of college from Ms. Buss, Ms. Sanders, and the OneGoal Chatbot—just as they committed to do. What I appreciate most is their consistency. The OneGoal team has checked in regularly, offered resources, and made sure I was ok. Whether it was adjusting to being away from home, applying for scholarships, appealing for financial aid, or just needing encouragement, they were there! I wasn’t just another number to them, but it was Tray’Lee, enrolled at Prairie View A&M University, in the Student Government Association, thriving on campus, and all the things. They took a genuine interest in me, and I’ve received support that is both personal and impactful. Recently, Ms. Sanders connected me with scholarship opportunities, which I am proud to say I received.
Community and Connection
Throughout my time in Year 3 I have been able to attend events focused on building community and connections amongst other Year 3 Fellows, like the Year 3 Winter Meet Up, which was super fun, and Year 3 Office Hours. The Year 3 Team came to my university to visit with the enrolled Fellows, catch up, offer support, and feed us: what Ms. Sanders committed to us in the Introduction to Year 3 presentation. She and the Year 3 team have kept their word, and they continue to show up for us!
Postsecondary Success
and Beyond
Today, I am proud to say that I am thriving. I am an active member of my college community and OneGoal Year 3 Fellows. I am maintaining a 4.0 GPA for both the fall and spring semesters, and I am pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Marketing on the trajectory to become a nationally syndicated news anchor. I am not only a storyteller in the making, but a changemaker determined to leave every space better than how I found it.
To my family, thank you for your steadfast love and support; it has undoubtedly made me who I am today.
To Mr. Tong and Ms. Hammock, and to Ms. Caldwell, Ms. Elvira, Ms. Sanders, Ms. Buss, and Ms. Williams at OneGoal, thank you for your belief in students like me; for your unwavering support, advocacy, and genuine care! Thank you, OneGoal, for the opportunity to share my journey throughout this program.
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