My name is Anna Camp. I am on track to become the first person in my family to graduate from high school. My upbringing was not typical, as my mother gave birth to me and my twin when she was just 19 years old. My birth father was not in a relationship with my mom. He was 54 years old, and the situation involved a drug transaction. I spent nine years in foster care. My earliest memory is of my twin sister and me often being alone. Our mom would either be asleep or missing. We knew we could rely on our neighbor to give us food, so we depended on her for help. When I was 2, I had to go into the system for the first time. My mom was looking for an escape from her troubles, and in her haste, she entrusted my brother and me to one of her acquaintances—someone who was involved in drug activities. It was a chaotic couple of months, filled with uncertainty and fear, until finally, after two long months, we were located four hours away from where we had been staying. Fortunately, we were taken in by our Aunt and Uncle, who provided us with a sense of stability and safety during that rough time. Meanwhile, my mom was trying to get her life back on track. She checked herself into rehab, hoping to overcome her struggles. It was during that challenging period that she unexpectedly got pregnant again. Nine months later, I welcomed a little sister into the world. After some time, I moved back in with my mom. The situation was far from typical; at just three years old, I found myself taking on the responsibilities of looking after a baby. I was changing diapers, comforting her when she cried, and ensuring we had food to eat. Even at such a young age, I felt a sense of duty and responsibility that was heavy for someone my age. It was a challenging but formative experience that shaped my early childhood. There was one time I remember most of all. My little Sister; 1 at the time. Was so thirsty and I couldn't reach the sink so she got water out of the toilet. Imagine being so thirsty that you drink out of the toilet. But that was my normal. I knew nothing else. It was hard when I realized that Washington state rules that if you were adopted after 13 then you get your whole college paid. I was in a terrible situation for 9 years and the state making that age bracket after they gave off this “I wanna help all the kids succeed” motto is frustrating. The State says they care about foster kids and want to support them. They're supposed to take care of us but they only wanna protect their money.
Did you know that only 32% of foster kids graduate high school? “Approximately 512,000 children were in foster care on the last day of 2006” which is the year I was born. That means out of 512,00 only 163,840 will graduate high school. “Less than 10% of foster youth pursue higher education. Only 3% will graduate with a four-year degree. Less than 0.5 -1% will graduate with a master's or higher” At most 15,360 kids will graduate college and 5,120 kids will get a master's or higher. With those odds against us, why try? In my freshman year, I enrolled in a health class taught by Ms. Karkau, which significantly influenced my perspective on life and career possibilities. Through this class, I learned about the potential to break negative cycles that affect many individuals. This realization inspired me to pursue a career in psychology, with the goal of earning a Ph.D. to work specifically with children. I am highly motivated to attend college due to my passion for making a difference in the lives of young people. My primary objective is to provide care and support to the next generation, helping them escape the limitations of their circumstances and achieve the lives they aspire to lead. I aim to connect with children who have faced challenges similar to my own, reassuring them that they are cared for and valued. Ultimately, I seek to take control of my life and advocate for children experiencing difficulties akin to those I faced. My commitment lies in fostering resilience and hope among young individuals, empowering them to build brighter futures.In my freshman year, I enrolled in a health class taught by Ms. Karkau, which significantly influenced my perspective on life and career possibilities. Through this class, I learned about the potential to break negative cycles that affect many individuals. This realization inspired me to pursue a career in psychology, with the goal of earning a Ph.D. to work specifically with children.