I was in the foster care system for the majority of my life. I first entered the system when I was four months old until the age of 4. My brothers and I were returned to my biological father when I was 4 until I was 8. At that time my siblings and I returned to foster care where I lived in five different home over the next 4 years. Life during my time in the system was uncertain, scary and traumatic. I lived in foster homes with up to eight other children, changed schools five times, and struggled to form meaningful relationships. I have endured abuses that no child ever should experience. At times I felt hopeless, always wanting a family to call my own, often getting my hopes up, and then facing inevitable disappointment. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and a processing delay. Despite all of this, I have a 92 average and have been successful in navigating my trauma and diagnoses all because of a teacher who became my mom… At 12, I met my science teacher, who would eventually (and thankfully) become my mother. She adopted me when I was 14 and has shown me what it means to be a part of a family. A family that is not only functioning, but thriving. My mom is now a high school principal, and has also shown me what it means to be a strong independent woman, and how higher education can open opportunities! The idea of college was never something I ever dreamed of! I had been in survival mode for so long, I never thought about the future, as it seemed so unsettled. I didn’t see beyond the present, too scared of what the future would hold. A loving family has given me the security to dream big and be forward thinking, something I never thought possible. My mom inspires me every day to work hard, dream big and invest in myself. She has inspired me to believe that there is nothing I can’t accomplish. I hope to study equine therapy in college so that I can work with kids with disabilities and those in the foster care system. Riding horses has been so therapeutic for me and I hope to work with those with childhood trauma and other obstacles that riding has helped me heal from. When I look back at all I have overcome, how different my life is now just compared to a few years ago, I am deeply proud of myself and thankful for all the opportunities that finding a loving family has given me. I hope to one day foster children myself, just like my mom fostered me.

I was in the foster care system for the majority of my life. I first entered the system when I was four months old until the age of 4. My brothers and I were returned to my biological father when I was 4 until I was 8. At that time my siblings and I returned to foster care where I lived in five different home over the next 4 years. Life during my time in the system was uncertain, scary and traumatic. I lived in foster homes with up to eight other children, changed schools five times, and struggled to form meaningful relationships. I have endured abuses that no child ever should experience. At times I felt hopeless, always wanting a family to call my own, often getting my hopes up, and then facing inevitable disappointment. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and a processing delay. Despite all of this, I have a 92 average and have been successful in navigating my trauma and diagnoses all because of a teacher who became my mom… At 12, I met my science teacher, who would eventually (and thankfully) become my mother. She adopted me when I was 14 and has shown me what it means to be a part of a family. A family that is not only functioning, but thriving. My mom is now a high school principal, and has also shown me what it means to be a strong independent woman, and how higher education can open opportunities! The idea of college was never something I ever dreamed of! I had been in survival mode for so long, I never thought about the future, as it seemed so unsettled. I didn’t see beyond the present, too scared of what the future would hold. A loving family has given me the security to dream big and be forward thinking, something I never thought possible. My mom inspires me every day to work hard, dream big and invest in myself. She has inspired me to believe that there is nothing I can’t accomplish. I hope to study equine therapy in college so that I can work with kids with disabilities and those in the foster care system. Riding horses has been so therapeutic for me and I hope to work with those with childhood trauma and other obstacles that riding has helped me heal from. When I look back at all I have overcome, how different my life is now just compared to a few years ago, I am deeply proud of myself and thankful for all the opportunities that finding a loving family has given me. I hope to one day foster children myself, just like my mom fostered me.

I was in the foster care system for the majority of my life, so in a lot of ways I lost my entire family. I first entered the system when I was four months old until the age of 4 after my mom abandoned us and my father was unable to care for three kids. My brothers and I were returned to my biological father when I was 4 until I was 8. At that time my siblings and I returned to foster care where I lived in five different home over the next 4 years. Life during my time in the system was uncertain, scary and traumatic. I lived in foster homes with up to eight other children, changed schools five times, and struggled to form meaningful relationships. I have endured abuses that no child ever should experience. At times I felt hopeless, always wanting a family to call my own, often getting my hopes up, and then facing inevitable disappointment. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and a processing delay. Despite all of this, I have a 92 average and have been successful in navigating my trauma and diagnoses all because of a teacher who became my mom… At 12, I met my science teacher, who would eventually (and thankfully) become my mother. She adopted me when I was 14 and has shown me what it means to be a part of a family. A family that is not only functioning, but thriving. My mom is now a high school principal, and has also shown me what it means to be a strong independent woman, and how higher education can open opportunities! The idea of college was never something I ever dreamed of! I had been in survival mode for so long, I never thought about the future, as it seemed so unsettled. I didn’t see beyond the present, too scared of what the future would hold. A loving family has given me the security to dream big and be forward thinking, something I never thought possible. My mom inspires me every day to work hard, dream big and invest in myself. She has inspired me to believe that there is nothing I can’t accomplish. I hope to study equine therapy in college so that I can work with kids with disabilities and those in the foster care system. Riding horses has been so therapeutic for me and I hope to work with those with childhood trauma and other obstacles that riding has helped me heal from. When I look back at all I have overcome, how different my life is now just compared to a few years ago, I am deeply proud of myself and thankful for all the opportunities that finding a loving family has given me. I hope to one day foster children myself, just like my mom fostered me. Did I lose my biological family? Yes. But I also gained a new family, a family I am so lucky to call my own.

I was in the foster care system for the majority of my life. I first entered the system when I was four months old until the age of 4. My brothers and I were returned to my biological father when I was 4 until I was 8. At that time my siblings and I returned to foster care where I lived in five different home over the next 4 years. Life during my time in the system was uncertain, scary and traumatic. I lived in foster homes with up to eight other children, changed schools five times, and struggled to form meaningful relationships. I have endured abuses that no child ever should experience. At times I felt hopeless, always wanting a family to call my own, often getting my hopes up, and then facing inevitable disappointment. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and a processing delay. Despite all of this, I have a 92 average and have been successful in navigating my trauma and diagnoses all because of a teacher who became my mom… At 12, I met my science teacher, who would eventually (and thankfully) become my mother. She adopted me when I was 14 and has shown me what it means to be a part of a family. A family that is not only functioning, but thriving. My mom is now a high school principal, and has also shown me what it means to be a strong independent woman, and how higher education can open opportunities! The idea of college was never something I ever dreamed of! I had been in survival mode for so long, I never thought about the future, as it seemed so unsettled. I didn’t see beyond the present, too scared of what the future would hold. A loving family has given me the security to dream big and be forward thinking, something I never thought possible. My mom inspires me every day to work hard, dream big and invest in myself. She has inspired me to believe that there is nothing I can’t accomplish. I hope to study equine therapy in college so that I can work with kids with disabilities and those in the foster care system. Riding horses has been so therapeutic for me and I hope to work with those with childhood trauma and other obstacles that riding has helped me heal from. When I look back at all I have overcome, how different my life is now just compared to a few years ago, I am deeply proud of myself and thankful for all the opportunities that finding a loving family has given me. I hope to one day foster children myself, just like my mom fostered me.

I was in the foster care system for the majority of my life. I first entered the system when I was four months old until the age of 4. My brothers and I were returned to my biological father when I was 4 until I was 8. At that time my siblings and I returned to foster care where I lived in five different home over the next 4 years. Life during my time in the system was uncertain, scary and traumatic. I lived in foster homes with up to eight other children, changed schools five times, and struggled to form meaningful relationships. I have endured abuses that no child ever should experience. At times I felt hopeless, always wanting a family to call my own, often getting my hopes up, and then facing inevitable disappointment. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and a processing delay. Despite all of this, I have a 92 average and have been successful in navigating my trauma and diagnoses all because of a teacher who became my mom… At 12, I met my science teacher, who would eventually (and thankfully) become my mother. She adopted me when I was 14 and has shown me what it means to be a part of a family. A family that is not only functioning, but thriving. My mom is now a high school principal, and has also shown me what it means to be a strong independent woman, and how higher education can open opportunities! The idea of college was never something I ever dreamed of! I had been in survival mode for so long, I never thought about the future, as it seemed so unsettled. I didn’t see beyond the present, too scared of what the future would hold. A loving family has given me the security to dream big and be forward thinking, something I never thought possible. My mom inspires me every day to work hard, dream big and invest in myself. She has inspired me to believe that there is nothing I can’t accomplish. I hope to study equine therapy in college so that I can work with kids with disabilities and those in the foster care system. Riding horses has been so therapeutic for me and I hope to work with those with childhood trauma and other obstacles that riding has helped me heal from. When I look back at all I have overcome, how different my life is now just compared to a few years ago, I am deeply proud of myself and thankful for all the opportunities that finding a loving family has given me. I hope to one day foster children myself, just like my mom fostered me.

I was in the foster care system for the majority of my life. I first entered the system when I was four months old until the age of 4. My brothers and I were returned to my biological father when I was 4 until I was 8. At that time my siblings and I returned to foster care where I lived in five different home over the next 4 years. Life during my time in the system was uncertain, scary and traumatic. I lived in foster homes with up to eight other children, changed schools five times, and struggled to form meaningful relationships. I have endured abuses that no child ever should experience. At times I felt hopeless, always wanting a family to call my own, often getting my hopes up, and then facing inevitable disappointment. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and a processing delay. Despite all of this, I have a 92 average and have been successful in navigating my trauma and diagnoses all because of a teacher who became my mom… At 12, I met my science teacher, who would eventually (and thankfully) become my mother. She adopted me when I was 14 and has shown me what it means to be a part of a family. A family that is not only functioning, but thriving. My mom is now a high school principal, and has also shown me what it means to be a strong independent woman, and how higher education can open opportunities! The idea of college was never something I ever dreamed of! I had been in survival mode for so long, I never thought about the future, as it seemed so unsettled. I didn’t see beyond the present, too scared of what the future would hold. A loving family has given me the security to dream big and be forward thinking, something I never thought possible. My mom inspires me every day to work hard, dream big and invest in myself. She has inspired me to believe that there is nothing I can’t accomplish. I hope to study equine therapy in college so that I can work with kids with disabilities and those in the foster care system. Riding horses has been so therapeutic for me and I hope to work with those with childhood trauma and other obstacles that riding has helped me heal from. When I look back at all I have overcome, how different my life is now just compared to a few years ago, I am deeply proud of myself and thankful for all the opportunities that finding a loving family has given me. I hope to one day foster children myself, just like my mom fostered me.

I was in the foster care system for the majority of my life. I first entered the system when I was four months old until the age of 4. My brothers and I were returned to my biological father when I was 4 until I was 8. At that time my siblings and I returned to foster care where I lived in five different home over the next 4 years. Life during my time in the system was uncertain, scary and traumatic. I lived in foster homes with up to eight other children, changed schools five times, and struggled to form meaningful relationships. I have endured abuses that no child ever should experience. At times I felt hopeless, always wanting a family to call my own, often getting my hopes up, and then facing inevitable disappointment. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and a processing delay. Despite all of this, I have a 92 average and have been successful in navigating my trauma and diagnoses all because of a teacher who became my mom… At 12, I met my science teacher, who would eventually (and thankfully) become my mother. She adopted me when I was 14 and has shown me what it means to be a part of a family. A family that is not only functioning, but thriving. My mom is now a high school principal, and has also shown me what it means to be a strong independent woman, and how higher education can open opportunities! The idea of college was never something I ever dreamed of! I had been in survival mode for so long, I never thought about the future, as it seemed so unsettled. I didn’t see beyond the present, too scared of what the future would hold. A loving family has given me the security to dream big and be forward thinking, something I never thought possible. My mom inspires me every day to work hard, dream big and invest in myself. She has inspired me to believe that there is nothing I can’t accomplish. I hope to study equine therapy in college so that I can work with kids with disabilities and those in the foster care system. Riding horses has been so therapeutic for me and I hope to work with those with childhood trauma and other obstacles that riding has helped me heal from. When I look back at all I have overcome, how different my life is now just compared to a few years ago, I am deeply proud of myself and thankful for all the opportunities that finding a loving family has given me. I hope to one day foster children myself, just like my mom fostered me.

I was in the foster care system for the majority of my life. I first entered the system when I was four months old until the age of 4. My brothers and I were returned to my biological father when I was 4 until I was 8. At that time my siblings and I returned to foster care where I lived in five different home over the next 4 years. Life during my time in the system was uncertain, scary and traumatic. I lived in foster homes with up to eight other children, changed schools five times, and struggled to form meaningful relationships. I have endured abuses that no child ever should experience. At times I felt hopeless, always wanting a family to call my own, often getting my hopes up, and then facing inevitable disappointment. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and a processing delay. Despite all of this, I have a 92 average and have been successful in navigating my trauma and diagnoses all because of a teacher who became my mom… At 12, I met my science teacher, who would eventually (and thankfully) become my mother. She adopted me when I was 14 and has shown me what it means to be a part of a family. A family that is not only functioning, but thriving. My mom is now a high school principal, and has also shown me what it means to be a strong independent woman, and how higher education can open opportunities! The idea of college was never something I ever dreamed of! I had been in survival mode for so long, I never thought about the future, as it seemed so unsettled. I didn’t see beyond the present, too scared of what the future would hold. A loving family has given me the security to dream big and be forward thinking, something I never thought possible. My mom inspires me every day to work hard, dream big and invest in myself. She has inspired me to believe that there is nothing I can’t accomplish. I hope to study equine therapy in college so that I can work with kids with disabilities and those in the foster care system. Riding horses has been so therapeutic for me and I hope to work with those with childhood trauma and other obstacles that riding has helped me heal from. When I look back at all I have overcome, how different my life is now just compared to a few years ago, I am deeply proud of myself and thankful for all the opportunities that finding a loving family has given me. I hope to one day foster children myself, just like my mom fostered me.

I was in the foster care system for the majority of my life. I first entered the system when I was four months old until the age of 4. My brothers and I were returned to my biological father when I was 4 until I was 8. At that time my siblings and I returned to foster care where I lived in five different home over the next 4 years. Life during my time in the system was uncertain, scary and traumatic. I lived in foster homes with up to eight other children, changed schools five times, and struggled to form meaningful relationships. I have endured abuses that no child ever should experience. At times I felt hopeless, always wanting a family to call my own, often getting my hopes up, and then facing inevitable disappointment. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and a processing delay. Despite all of this, I have a 92 average and have been successful in navigating my trauma and diagnoses all because of a teacher who became my mom… At 12, I met my science teacher, who would eventually (and thankfully) become my mother. She adopted me when I was 14 and has shown me what it means to be a part of a family. A family that is not only functioning, but thriving. My mom is now a high school principal, and has also shown me what it means to be a strong independent woman, and how higher education can open opportunities! The idea of college was never something I ever dreamed of! I had been in survival mode for so long, I never thought about the future, as it seemed so unsettled. I didn’t see beyond the present, too scared of what the future would hold. A loving family has given me the security to dream big and be forward thinking, something I never thought possible. My mom inspires me every day to work hard, dream big and invest in myself. She has inspired me to believe that there is nothing I can’t accomplish. I hope to study equine therapy in college so that I can work with kids with disabilities and those in the foster care system. Riding horses has been so therapeutic for me and I hope to work with those with childhood trauma and other obstacles that riding has helped me heal from. When I look back at all I have overcome, how different my life is now just compared to a few years ago, I am deeply proud of myself and thankful for all the opportunities that finding a loving family has given me. I hope to one day foster children myself, just like my mom fostered me.

I was in the foster care system for the majority of my life. I first entered the system when I was four months old until the age of 4. My brothers and I were returned to my biological father when I was 4 until I was 8. At that time my siblings and I returned to foster care where I lived in five different home over the next 4 years. Life during my time in the system was uncertain, scary and traumatic. I lived in foster homes with up to eight other children, changed schools five times, and struggled to form meaningful relationships. I have endured abuses that no child ever should experience. At times I felt hopeless, always wanting a family to call my own, often getting my hopes up, and then facing inevitable disappointment. At 12, I met my science teacher, who would eventually (and thankfully) become my mother. She adopted me when I was 14 and has shown me what it means to be a part of a family. A family that is not only functioning, but thriving. My mom is now a high school principal, and has also shown me what it means to be a strong independent woman, and how higher education can open opportunities! The idea of college was never something I ever dreamed of! I had been in survival mode for so long, I never thought about the future, as it seemed so unsettled. I didn’t see beyond the present, too scared of what the future would hold. A loving family has given me the security to dream big and be forward thinking, something I never thought possible. My mom inspires me every day to work hard, dream big and invest in myself. She has inspired me to believe that there is nothing I can’t accomplish. I hope to study equine therapy in college so that I can work with kids with disabilities and those in the foster care system. Riding horses has been so therapeutic for me and I hope to work with those with childhood trauma and other obstacles that riding has helped me heal from. When I look back at all I have overcome, how different my life is now just compared to a few years ago, I am deeply proud of myself and thankful for all the opportunities that finding a loving family has given me. I hope to one day foster children myself, just like my mom fostered me.

I was in the foster care system for the majority of my life. I first entered the system when I was four months old until the age of 4. My brothers and I were returned to my biological father when I was 4 until I was 8. At that time my siblings and I returned to foster care where I lived in five different home over the next 4 years. Life during my time in the system was uncertain, scary and traumatic. I lived in foster homes with up to eight other children, changed schools five times, and struggled to form meaningful relationships. I have endured abuses that no child ever should experience. At times I felt hopeless, always wanting a family to call my own, often getting my hopes up, and then facing inevitable disappointment. At 12, I met my science teacher, who would eventually (and thankfully) become my mother. She adopted me when I was 14 and has shown me what it means to be a part of a family. A family that is not only functioning, but thriving. My mom is now a high school principal, and has also shown me what it means to be a strong independent woman, and how higher education can open opportunities! The idea of college was never something I ever dreamed of! I had been in survival mode for so long, I never thought about the future, as it seemed so unsettled. I didn’t see beyond the present, too scared of what the future would hold. A loving family has given me the security to dream big and be forward thinking, something I never thought possible. My mom inspires me every day to work hard, dream big and invest in myself. She has inspired me to believe that there is nothing I can’t accomplish. I hope to study equine therapy in college so that I can work with kids with disabilities and those in the foster care system. Riding horses has been so therapeutic for me and I hope to work with those with childhood trauma and other obstacles that riding has helped me heal from. When I look back at all I have overcome, how different my life is now just compared to a few years ago, I am deeply proud of myself and thankful for all the opportunities that finding a loving family has given me. I hope to one day foster children myself, just like my mom fostered me.