What would it look like if Spokane was the happiest community?
Four amazing student ambassadors have joined Canopy’s team this summer. These students come from a variety of backgrounds and areas of Spokane. Over the course of the summer, they have the opportunity to learn about financial education as well as community impact. Learn how Ambassador Ajla believes we can all impact our communtiy for good.
What is your story? Where are you from? What in your life has made you who you are today?
My name is Ajla Mujanovic. I am currently 16 years old and attend Mead Senior High School. I was born and raised here in Spokane, WA, and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Spokane has such a beautiful and balanced community and living here has taught me a lot. Although my brother and I were born here, in Spokane, my parents are from Bosnia and Herzegovina. My family’s culture and heritage has had a huge impact on my life and on my values. My parents have raised me well and given me all of the opportunities they never had growing up. I will forever be grateful for them and the lessons they have taught me.
What are you passionate about?
I have many passions in my life, like my love for family and friends, getting straight A’s in all my classes, getting a workout in at the gym, volunteering my free time to causes in need. But my biggest passion would be trying to make a change and trying to leave my mark. I love the feeling of leaving a place knowing I left it a bit better than before. I want people to remember my name, who I am, and what I did. I aspire to become someone who has left positive impacts all over my community.
What are some ways that you hope to impact your community?
There are so many ways to impact a community you live in. It can be as small as picking up trash off the sidewalk to as big as starting a foundation that cleans up trash on the sidewalks every weekend. Impacting your community is about dedicating time and resources for things you believe in. I often volunteer my time to organizations that better our community as a whole and not just one party/person. It’s important to recognize that there are many groups to help and you should divide your time accordingly.
As a young person in Spokane, what are some of your dreams for the city?
I want Spokane to be known all over this country as one of the best cities to live in. I want to have the happiest community, the cleanest streets, the lowest crime rate, and the most opportunities. It is not just about looking appealing to another set of eyes, it’s about catching those sets of eyes in the first place. Our community is already so big and connected but I feel there is more for us to learn about each other and the place we live in.
Where do you see gaps in the resources offered in our community?
I feel that the biggest gap in the resources offered here in Spokane is the lack of access to quality items (education, housing, food) at low prices. Things like that can become expensive quite fast and many of our citizens can’t afford one of them let alone all of them at the same time. It’s important to acknowledge that many people don’t get the same opportunities you might have been offered.
Who is one of your current role models? Why are they your role model?
My current role model would have to be my mother. After all, she is the woman who gave me life! But on a real note, my mom has done everything in her power to give me and my brother a good life. She has put her life and struggles on pause to assist others with their life and struggles. She is someone who will drop everything just to ask you if you’ve had any food yet today. And if your answer was no, she would start cooking you a meal that very second. A role model is someone who you look up to, someone who has proven to have a kind heart, someone who you aspire to become. My mom is all of those things to me and more.
What are your current career aspirations?
I aspire to grow within my field, continually learn, and take on big tough challenges that make me think extra hard. I am passionate about mathematics and business and hope to explore that further in my career choice, whatever it may be.
Why is financial education important to you?
I believe financial education is crucial as it equips us with the knowledge in making better and smarter decisions regarding money. It helps us understand how to save, invest, and grow our wealth, which ultimately leads to financial independence and stability. Without knowledge like this, we can spiral into a tough position that is hard to recover from.