Calli & Babs: A Goal Worth Working Toward

When Big Sister Babs was matched with Calli through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Big Sky Country in 2019, she had a simple hope for their relationship: help Calli graduate from high school and encourage her to continue her education after graduation.

What neither of them could have known at the beginning was just how many years, conversations, homework sessions, adventures, and milestones would come between that first match and the day Calli would walk across the stage at her high school graduation.

From the beginning, Babs understood that being a Big Sister wasn't about having all the answers. It was about showing up, listening, encouraging, and being willing to help Calli work through whatever was in front of her.

As Calli got older, school became an important part of their time together. They developed a routine of meeting at the library, working on homework, studying, and catching up on everything happening in Calli's life. At one point, Calli described their visits simply: “She helps me with my homework.”

But those hours together were about more than assignments. Babs was helping Calli build confidence in her ability to succeed.

There were times when school was difficult. Calli sometimes struggled to keep up with assignments, and Babs worried that she could fall behind. But Babs continued to encourage her and look for ways to support her. She saw firsthand that Calli was capable of more. When Calli's math grade once dropped to a D, turning in her missing assignments brought it back up to a B.

Later, Babs noticed an even bigger change.

Calli was becoming more conscientious about her schoolwork and developing a more positive attitude toward school. “I've been trying to instill in her that teachers are not the enemies,” Babs shared.

And then the conversations began to shift from simply getting through school to thinking about what might come next.

Calli told Babs that she wanted to go to college.

That was all Babs needed to hear.

She began talking with Calli about what it would take to get there, looking at applications, setting goals, and helping her understand that college could be an option. As Babs put it, goals could change from week to week—but having something to work toward mattered.

Babs didn't just talk about college. She helped Calli experience it.

The two toured Montana State University together, and Babs continued looking for opportunities for Calli to explore other options, including Gallatin College and schools in Missoula and Billings. She wanted Calli to be able to picture herself in a college environment and understand the possibilities available to her.

As senior year approached, Babs became an enthusiastic partner in the college application process. She helped Calli explore schools and worked alongside her as she considered her future. By late 2025, the two were spending much of their time together focused on college applications, with Calli considering schools including MSU, NYFA, and Full Sail.

Then came the news they had been working toward.

Calli was accepted to Grand Canyon University.

She was finishing her high school classes online and planning to walk at graduation before beginning college in person. When BBBS checked in, Calli shared the news herself: she had signed with Grand Canyon University and was excited to tell Babs.

And in the summer of 2026, the goal that Babs had carried with her since the beginning of their match became a reality.

Calli graduated from high school.

Babs took her out to celebrate, sitting across from the young woman she had known for nearly seven years. She was proud of Calli—not because everything had always been easy, but because Calli had kept going.

“She’s hanging in there. I’m proud of her,” Babs shared after Calli's graduation.

Now, Calli is beginning an entirely new chapter at Grand Canyon University, where she plans to pursue theater and may explore education as well. She is excited about college, already knows her roommate, and is looking forward to what comes next.

For Babs, seeing Calli reach this point is a reminder of why the years of showing up mattered.

There were library afternoons and coffee shop visits. Homework assignments and campus tours. Conversations about grades, careers, friendships, and the future. There were moments when the path forward wasn't completely clear.

But Babs kept showing up.

And slowly, the question changed from Can Calli get there? to Where will Calli go next?

The answer is now taking shape.

Calli is leaving home, heading to college, and beginning to write the next chapter of her story.

And Babs will be cheering her on.