Ahhh!!! Total Fan Girl Moment!!! “It’s a Bad Idea, Right?” When most people hear Olivia Rodrigo's "traitor," they think of heartbreak. While I love the song for that reason, one lyric resonates with me in a different way: "I wish you would've thought this through before I went and fell in love with you." To me, that lyric isn't about a relationship. It reminds me of the expectations we build around our dreams and how painful it can be when life doesn't unfold the way we imagined. I fell in love with the idea of becoming a social worker because I wanted to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I believed that if I worked hard, earned good grades, and stayed committed to my goals, the journey would be difficult but predictable. Instead, my path has included financial hardship, being laid off due to budget cuts, balancing graduate school with a demanding internship, and learning to navigate life with an invisible chronic illness. None of those challenges were part of the plan I imagined when I first began pursuing higher education. There were moments when I questioned how I would continue. Managing migraines, medical appointments, and financial uncertainty while maintaining a 4.0 GPA required resilience I didn't know I possessed. Finding support through Florida Vocational Rehabilitation reminded me that accepting help is not a weakness but a strength. Each obstacle taught me to advocate for myself while remaining focused on the future I had worked so hard to build. Although the song speaks about betrayal, I don't view my experiences as betrayals. Instead, they taught me that disappointment and growth often exist together. Sometimes life changes our plans, but it also shapes our purpose. My experiences deepened my empathy for individuals living with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and mental health challenges. They transformed my career goals from simply wanting to help people into wanting to improve systems, expand access to resources, and ensure others feel seen, heard, and supported. As a Bachelor of Social Work graduate and current Master of Social Work candidate, I now understand that the most meaningful lessons rarely come from moments when everything goes as expected. They come from adapting, asking for help, and continuing despite uncertainty. Those lessons have also inspired me as a published children's book author, encouraging me to create resources that educate, empower, and make learning more accessible for children and families. The lyric from "traitor" reminds me that it is okay to grieve the path I expected while embracing the one I have been given. My journey has not been perfect, but it has shaped me into someone who leads with compassion, resilience, and hope. Rather than allowing life's unexpected turns to define me, I have chosen to let them strengthen my commitment to serving others. Looking back, I realize I didn't just fall in love with a career I discovered a purpose that continues to grow through every challenge I overcome.

My name is Alaysha Henderson, I am an alumna of Tallahassee Community College. I have an Associate of Arts degree in social work with a minor in photography. I am in the process of working on my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work at Thomas University's online program. I am a hardworking dedicated 22-year-old with a passion for helping people while dealing with an invisible illness. In the year 2016, the start of my freshmen year of High School, I started to experience frequent urges to use the restroom more often when I would feel like I was in closed spaces or riding in any type of mobile transportation “I can remember the fear and anxiety that I experienced every morning and afternoon from the anticipation of feeling trapped and away from the restroom when I had to endure the commute to school on the school bus every day of the week”. My mom was a single mother trying to understand the digestive issues that I was suffering from every day. There were days when she would get frustrated because neither one of us did not understand what was going on with my body. Therefore, I missed many days of school which resulted in my grades dropping with my teachers treated me differently because they see my attendance as an excuse to avoid doing my schoolwork. Meanwhile, I am in the early stages of depression the situation that I was in took a toll on my mental health. This was one of the most traumatic experiences that I experienced in my life. I was trying the best I could to attend school and complete my coursework promptly. In 2018, after many months of doctor appointments with specialists I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, an intestinal disorder causing pain in the belly, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. After many years of trial and error, I found remedies that help slightly to ease the pain that I have daily. For example, some of the things I must do are wake up 3 hours early to be able to get out of the house on time, and I must carry an extra bag wherever I travel with things that I need in case I have an accident. Consequently, I overcame the adversity of my disability by taking one day at a time, finding accommodations, and support groups, and I found the correct stomach medication to help me ease the stress and anxiety that I experience every day. In 2019, I graduated High School and I was able to sit through the entire ceremony without any accidents or pain. Additionally, I graduated from Tallahassee Community College with my A. A in Social Work resulting from accommodations with testing and class assignments. Although I was not able to attend that ceremony due to my stomach issues I was still proud of my accomplishment. Currently, I chose to attend the online program at Thomas University to obtain my bachelor’s degree. I applied to a college that will accommodate my needs. It will decrease the stress that I experience when I feel that I am going to be judged because I am different. This journey taught me the importance of seeking out assistance and benefits from the resources that are provided for teens, adults, and children that are subjected to invisible diseases.

“It does not matter where you start in life, it only matters that you start somewhere" That is what my mom conveyed while I was growing up and trying to figure out why I did not know if I wanted to be a doctor, lawyer or vet like the other kids that I was growing up with. Nevertheless, 22 years later, here I am as the first family member to graduate college with an Associate of Arts degree in social work. The feeling of accomplishment I felt when I realized the personal impression that I bestowed on my family when I graduated from college. My main goal after I graduated high school was to be able to have my grandmother living to witness the results of the generational blessings and knowledge that she made ready for us by instilling the knowledge necessary for my mom to be able to raise me to be the best version of myself. Although, my grandmother did not attend school when she was growing up. I remember her saying “Leave those boys alone, get your education” That proved to me that she wanted me to complete the things that she was not able to do. I heeded that advice and started to take my education actively Yet, I endured trials and errors in finding my way in life during and after my high school years. I remember the sensation of nerves, and nausea of knowing graduation was approaching because I had no idea what major or college I wanted to attend. I often had to remind myself that “I was only 18 years old, and everything happens for a reason, when it's time for you to find your purpose in life you will experience all of the virtues of life that await you". Hence, in my freshmen year, I changed my major five times in the span of a few months. I wanted to evaluate all the varieties of majors that Tallahassee Community College allowed me to experience. I waited to see which field of study would reveal my purpose in life by releasing a feeling of tingling euphoria into my body and mind. Surprisingly, after changing majors for the final time I discerned a sentiment for helping people that are not as privileged as others. This led me to gravitate towards social work with a minor in photography. All in one, my plans for the future are to obtain my bachelor’s and master’s in social work at Thomas University. Also, I want to spotlight my zeal for photography because I realized that I do not have to limit myself to one thing that I want to experience in life while I am young, and college-bound By pursuing higher education, I am accomplishing my goal of showing my late grandmother Margaret Williams that all of the memories of her babysitting, feeding, praying when I was in distress was not in vain. I yearned to make sure she knew that before she passed on April 17, 2021, by trying my best to finish college before she went to join the LORD. Although, she is not here with my family and me anymore. I plan to continue to press forward and achieve my goal of graduating with my bachelor’s and master’s to honor the legacy that she left behind in all of us. This money will allow me to avoid having to spend my next 4 checks in entirety to pay off my student loans. I will be off for three months without pay while I am completing my internship for my Bachelor of social work degree.

My favorite Taylor Swift 1989' song is Blank Space, it helped me realize that I was more than a pretty face and a nice time for a couple of nights. I use to only see myself as a person that needed to be loved by someone, I could not be true to myself and set safe expectations in relationships without feeling bad about it. My mom often told me “Leave those boys alone, get your education” That showed me that it was more to life than loving someone bad for you. As Taylor said "'Cause we're young, and we're reckless We'll take this way too far" Living in our 20s is a blissful time that does not have to include being heartbroken or misguided for half of it, my education is important to me to give my best to my goals and dreams I had to make a sacrifice to put love on hold for now. "Without an education, these girls will often marry and have children at a young age, work in unpaid or low-paying positions, and rely on their husbands or families for economic support. Without an education, their futures and their families' futures are limited." (Live Your Dream, 2021) I believe that my purpose is to empower women around the world and the women in my family with life skills, education opportunities, and sisterhood are key points to help them become self-thriving women that avoid BLANK SPACES. The importance of education is associated with improved health outcomes from having to stress about the lack of personal funds or personal obligations. "Even when women have access to education, other factors can make it difficult for them to take full advantage of those opportunities. Women and girls still carry the cultural burden of being the primary homemakers and caregivers. This unpaid “second shift” means that they have less time and energy to dedicate to their studies. When women are the sole providers for their families, as is often the case with survivors of domestic violence, the combination of household, financial, professional and educational responsibilities is even more difficult to manage. The astronomical cost of tuition in the U.S. is also a barrier to many women who wish to further their education."(Live Your Dream, 2021) All in one, these are the reasons that BLANK SPACE: Taylor Swift 1989' Album hit so close to my personal life. It encourages me to strive to help other girls that experienced the same things that I did. Reference: Live Your Dream. (2021). Women’s Empowerment Through Education. Your Dream Blog. https://yourdream.liveyourdream.org/2021/08/womens-empowerment-education/

“It does not matter where you start in life, it only matters that you start somewhere" That is what my mom conveyed while I was growing up and trying to figure out why I did not know if I wanted to be doctor, lawyer or vet like the other kids that I was growing up with. Nevertheless, 22 years later, here I am as the first family member to graduate college with an Associates of Art degree in social work. The feeling of accomplishment I felt when I realized the personal impression that I bestowed onto my family when I graduated from college. My main goal after I graduated high school was to be able to have my grandmother living to witness the results of the generational blessings and knowledge that she made ready for us by instilling the knowledge necessary for my mom to be able raise me to be the best version of myself. Although, my grandmother did not attend school when she was growing up. I remember her saying “Leave those boys alone, get your education” That proved to me that she wanted me to complete the things that she was not able to do. I heeded to that advice and started to take my education actively Yet, I endured trials and errors with finding my way in life during and after my high school years. I remember the sensation of nerves, and nausea of knowing graduation was approaching because I had no idea what major or college I wanted to attend. I often had to remind myself that “I was only 18 years old, and everything happens for a reason, when it's time for you to find your purpose in life you will experience all of the virtues of life that awaits you". Hence, my freshmen year I changed my major five times in the span of a few months. I wanted to evaluate all the varieties of majors that Tallahassee Community College allowed me to experience. I waited to see which field of study would reveal my purpose of life by releasing a feeling of tingling euphoria into my body and mind. Surprisingly, after changing majors for the final time I discerned a sentiment for helping people that are not as privileged as others. This led me to gravitate towards social work with a minor in photography. All in one, my plans for the future are to obtain my bachelor’s and master’s in social work at Thomas University. Also, I want to spotlight my zeal of photography because I realized that I do not have to limit myself to one thing that I want to experience in life while I am young, and college bound By pursuing higher education, I am accomplishing my goal of showing my late grandmother Margaret Holmes Williams that all of the memories of her babysitting, feeding, praying when I was in distress was not in vain. I yearned to make sure she knew that before she passed on April 17,2021 by trying my best to finish college before she went to join the LORD. Although, she is not here with my family and I anymore. I plan to continue to press forward and achieve my goal of graduating with my bachelor’s and master’s to honor her legacy that she left behind in all of us.

In the year 2016, the start of my freshmen year of High School, I started to experience frequent urges to use the restroom more often when I would feel like I was in closed spaces or riding in any type of mobile transportation “I can remember the fear and anxiety that I experienced every morning and afternoon from the anticipation of feeling trapped and away from the restroom when I had to endure the commute to school on the school bus every day of the week”. My mom was a single mother trying to understand the digestive issues that I was suffering from every day. There were days when she would get frustrated because neither one of us did not understand what was going on with my body. Therefore, I missed many days of school which resulted in my grades dropping with my teachers treated me differently because they see my attendance as an excuse to avoid doing my schoolwork. Meanwhile, I am in the early stages of depression the situation that I was in took a toll on my mental health. This was one of the most traumatic experiences that I experienced in my life. I was trying the best I could to attend school and complete my coursework promptly. In 2018, after many months of doctor appointments with specialists I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, an intestinal disorder causing pain in the belly, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. After many years of trial and error, I found remedies that help slightly to ease the pain that I have daily. For example, some of the things I must do are wake up 3 hours early to be able to get out of the house on time, and I must carry an extra bag wherever I travel with things that I need in case I have an accident. Consequently, I overcame the adversity of my disability by taking one day at a time, finding accommodations, and support groups, and I found the correct stomach medication to help me ease the stress and anxiety that I experience every day. In 2019, I graduated High School and I was able to sit through the entire ceremony without any accidents or pain. Additionally, I graduated from Tallahassee Community College with my A. A in Social Work resulting from accommodations with testing and class assignments. Although, I was not able to attend that ceremony due to my stomach issues I was still proud of my accomplishment. Currently, I chose to attend the online program at Southern New Hampshire University to obtain my bachelor’s degree. I applied to a college that will accommodate my needs. It will decrease the stress that I experience when I feel that I am going to be judged because I am different. This journey taught me the importance of seeking out assistance and benefits from the resources that are provided for teens, adults, and children that are subjected to invisible diseases. Note: My mental health journey shaped my goals, relationships, and understanding of the world by allowing me to understand that it is okay to ask for help or accommodations. I chose to attend an online school because of my condition to be able to put my mental health first, I started taking anxiety medication. Also, most days I’m not able to leave the house because I panic about the chances of a restroom not being close by. I have flair up’s and I miss a lot of days in school. I have to carry an extra bag wherever I travel with things that I need in case I have an accident. Therefore, I applied to a college that will accommodate my needs. It decreases the stress that I experience when I feel that I’m going to be judged because I’m different.

In the year 2016, the start of my freshmen year of High School, I started to experience frequent urges to use the restroom more often when I would feel like I was in closed spaces or riding in any type of mobile transportation “I can remember the fear and anxiety that I experienced every morning and afternoon from the anticipation of feeling trapped and away from the restroom when I had to endure the commute to school on the school bus every day of the week”. My mom was a single mother trying to understand the digestive issues that I was suffering from every day. There were days when she would get frustrated because neither one of us did not understand what was going on with my body. Therefore, I missed many days of school which resulted in my grades dropping with my teachers treated me differently because they see my attendance as an excuse to avoid doing my schoolwork. Meanwhile, I am in the early stages of depression the situation that I was in took a toll on my mental health. This was one of the most traumatic experiences that I experienced in my life. I was trying the best I could to attend school and complete my coursework promptly. In 2018, after many months of doctor appointments with specialists I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, an intestinal disorder causing pain in the belly, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. After many years of trial and error, I found remedies that help slightly to ease the pain that I have daily. For example, some of the things I must do are wake up 3 hours early to be able to get out of the house on time, and I must carry an extra bag wherever I travel with things that I need in case I have an accident. Consequently, I overcame the adversity of my disability by taking one day at a time, finding accommodations, and support groups, and I found the correct stomach medication to help me ease the stress and anxiety that I experience every day. In 2019, I graduated High School and I was able to sit through the entire ceremony without any accidents or pain. Additionally, I graduated from Tallahassee Community College with my A. A in Social Work resulting from accommodations with testing and class assignments. Although, I was not able to attend that ceremony due to my stomach issues I was still proud of my accomplishment. Currently, I chose to attend the online program at Southern New Hampshire University to obtain my bachelor’s degree. I applied to a college that will accommodate my needs. It will decrease the stress that I experience when I feel that I am going to be judged because I am different. This journey taught me the importance of seeking out assistance and benefits from the resources that are provided for teens, adults, and children that are subjected to invisible diseases. Note: I chose to attend an online school because of my condition to be able to put my mental health first, I started taking anxiety medication. Also, most days I’m not able to leave the house because I panic about the chances of a restroom not being close by. I have flair up’s and I miss a lot of days in school. I have to carry an extra bag wherever I travel with things that I need in case I have an accident. Therefore, I applied to a college that will accommodate my needs. It decreases the stress that I experience when I feel that I’m going to be judged because I’m different.

My best back to school tip would be to manage your time and assignments effectively. Tip 1: Invest in a calendar, it will help you keep up with upcoming assignments and events in your personal life so that you can avoid any conflicts for assignment due dates. Tip 2: Online students: Designate a section of your house or room as your study space, it will limit distractions and provide you with a peaceful environment Tip3: If possible, try to do your assignments 1-2 days before the due date I provided these tips because they are what allowed me to provide my best work to all of assignments and professors. Bold.org (Alaysha Henderson) Instagram (xo.anolyat)

I have a strong passion for art, art is an expression of our thoughts, emotions, intuitions, and desires. It is personal, it allows you to share the way we experience the world, which is an extension our personalities. Therefore, photography literally means 'drawing with light', my passion for photography stems from being able to illustrate memories that will last forever. I plan to make a positive impact on the world by using my art to inspire the past and future generations to see the world in a new aspect that will focus on the brighter side of our future. I will use photography to refine the bedlam and beauty that surrounds all of us. https://www.instagram.com/lona.s_photography/

The most helpful piece of financial advice I ever receive was the knowledge that my mom provided me when starting to build my credit. The tips she gave me were to never miss a payment, make your minimum monthly payments, and only purchase items you can afford are only a few of the things she advised me to note when applying for a credit card. Also, my dad shared with my sibling and I that " As far as having an stable job and such…you can be 40 years old and have no credit at all…which isn’t a bad thing but when you start really working an stable job and generate money it is good to start a credit card to build your credit up so when you decide to buy an house or an car your score will be high enough to be able to get those things without an co-signer but you will definitely have to pay it on time ever time it is due!!! I have had various of credit cards and got into an slump and couldn’t pay it…and that’s with an stable job…but circumstances have changed so I am able to build it back up now….when I got an divorce I was at 483 and now I’m at 603 so it takes little time to build it when you have no credit but once you get in a hole it takes a long time to get up"

In my search for an example of how I apple creativity in my life, I found that Aneta Ivanova art caught my eye the most. Aneta Ivanova practices in double exposure work and she strives for a very fresh, original and unique vantage point. Aneta is a fine art photographer, I think that her art carries aesthetic views when you look at her art. I was particularly interested in her piece because it resembles the type of photography and art pieces that I like and often use as my backgrounds wallpaper on my phone, laptop, and iPad. It gives me a sense of peace and adventure; I love how she fiddles with the composition and lighting of the people that she uses for her center pieces. I am an active photographer, below is one of my photos that I practiced playing with the saturation and lighting. https://anetaivanova.com/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CDsa_btFbVPlGLh0ghOcdWaqgw5wGMlKw2nzk80/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=