From Chase City, Virginia, Tayia Smith completed Southside Virginia Community College's Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program while also a student at Bluestone High School and working a part-time job.

Since completing SVCC's CNA program and graduating from high school, Tayia's drive to succeed has not slowed.  She is employed by Meadowview Terrace in Clarksville and Chase City Health & Rehab Center as a CNA, as well as being enrolled as a full-time student at SVCC, completing the prerequisites for the nursing associate's degree program.

Tayia's roadmap to success for herself includes becoming a Registered Nurse and eventually transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University's pre-med program.