By Avery Erickson | June 10, 2025 The summer season has begun at Soft Landing, and our students are eager to step out of the classroom and into more social, playful experiences. As I reflect on the academic year, I am reminded of the quiet persistence of student growth. This spring, there have been abundant reasons to celebrate.
Two of our students have graduated from the University of Montana. Meanwhile, eight high school seniors have been accepted to the University of Montana as incoming freshmen. Each acceptance letter is more than a gateway to higher education; it’s a powerful affirmation of belonging, of vision, and of years of hard work. One of our students received the long-awaited news of acceptance into nursing school. Her journey has been marked by long days, time spent at after-school mentoring sessions, and endless hours of studying. Her dedication to a future in healthcare is a reflection of the deep-rooted desire so many of our students have to give back to their communities.
As I work with rising seniors preparing for the college application season ahead, I’m reminded daily that these milestones are not just individual accomplishments. In my role as an AmeriCorps College Coach at Soft Landing Missoula, I have the privilege of walking alongside students as they encounter these turning points. Sometimes that means helping revise an essay for the fifth time or simply being present as they weigh difficult decisions.
When I began my AmeriCorps service as a College Coach at Soft Landing Missoula, I arrived with a structured vision of what support might look like. I imagined myself guiding students through the tangible steps of college access: applications, essays, FAFSA, scholarships, and academic planning. I expected challenges, yes—but mostly logistical ones. What I didn’t anticipate was how deeply relational this work would become, and how much my understanding of success and support would shift in the process. The students I work with have taught me that support is not always about having the right answer, but about showing up consistently, listening deeply, and honoring each student’s story and pace. Some victories come in the form of acceptance letters, and sometimes the victory is waiting another semester to start school, and take more time to prepare.
In many ways, I’ve had to unlearn my early expectations. I’ve learned that college access is as much about building trust and belonging as it is about application portals and test scores. As the academic year winds down to a close, I am filled with gratitude for the stories I’ve heard, the journeys I’ve been invited into, and the incredible strength of the young people I serve. Their growth is a reminder that change, while often slow and unpredictable, is always possible.