My upbringing has profoundly shaped who I am today, fueling my drive to create a legacy of hope, resilience, and empowerment. Growing up, I faced significant challenges, including physical abuse, neglect, and a parent struggling with addiction. These experiences instilled in me an early sense of distrust, instability, and insecurity, but they also planted the seeds of determination that have guided my journey. Living in motels and abandoned buildings during my early years, I was exposed to chaos and uncertainty, which taught me the value of stability and the importance of a supportive environment. These painful memories, though difficult to revisit, now serve as my greatest motivators. Foster care became a turning point in my life, offering me a glimpse of the stability I longed for. It also opened my eyes to the systemic issues within the foster system and inspired my passion for advocating for vulnerable children and families. A tragic loss within my family to suicide further solidified my commitment to mental health advocacy, underscoring the urgency of addressing trauma and providing support for those in need. While these experiences could have left me bitter or defeated, always wondering why bad things happened to me, they instead shaped me into someone resilient, empathetic, and determined to turn adversity into purpose. The positive influence of my aunt, who provided me with stability and self-worth, showed me that not all circumstances are permanent and that a brighter future is attainable with the right support. She helped me understand that while I could not change my past, I had the power to shape my future. This realization became the foundation of my goal to become a clinical psychologist. I want to be for others what my aunt was for me—a source of stability, encouragement, and guidance. Using my experiences, I aim to build a legacy of transformation. I plan to advocate for those who feel unheard, especially children and families navigating systems like foster care. My personal journey gives me a unique perspective on trauma, abandonment, and resilience, allowing me to connect deeply with individuals who face similar challenges. By earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University, pursuing advanced degrees, and immersing myself in research, I will develop the tools to not only help others heal but also address systemic issues in mental health care. My goal is to create a ripple effect of positive change, empowering individuals to rise above their circumstances and embrace their resilience. I will use my past as a source of strength, transforming the pain of my experiences into tools to uplift others. By challenging stereotypes and defying odds, I hope to inspire those around me to build their own legacies of growth and healing. My story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and I am determined to use it as a foundation for making a meaningful impact in the world.

The journey to becoming a clinical psychologist is one of perseverance, self-discovery, and a commitment to helping others, including the unique needs of gifted children. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University, I aim to dedicate my career to supporting gifted children by fostering their social-emotional well-being and intellectual growth. Gifted children often face challenges such as heightened emotional sensitivity, perfectionism, and difficulty navigating conventional social structures. These complexities require a holistic, research-based, and empathetic approach, which I am determined to provide. My first step will be pursuing a master’s degree, focusing on trauma, resilience, and child psychological development, including the unique experiences of gifted children. Many gifted children experience asynchronous development, where their advanced intellectual abilities contrast with their emotional or social growth. Understanding these dynamics will allow me to create tailored interventions to help them thrive both academically and emotionally. This specialized education will equip me to address their dual needs and empower them to balance their strengths with personal growth. In addition to formal education, I plan to engage in community service and mentorship opportunities that center on gifted youth. Volunteering in schools and organizations that serve this population will provide me with firsthand experience and insights into their struggles, such as social isolation, boredom, and anxiety stemming from high expectations. These opportunities will help me build meaningful relationships with gifted children and their families while fostering environments where they feel valued, supported, and understood. Community engagement will also enable me to develop practical strategies for promoting their well-being and self-confidence. A key aspect of my career development involves seeking mentorship from experienced psychologists specializing in child psychology and gifted education. By shadowing their work, I will learn evidence-based practices for assessing and supporting gifted children. This mentorship will also prepare me for the required one-year internship or postdoctoral program to become a licensed clinical psychologist. These experiences will refine my ability to address the diverse needs of gifted children, ensuring I can provide effective and compassionate care. Long-term, I aim to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology with a research focus on giftedness and the interplay between intellectual and emotional development. This advanced training will allow me to explore innovative ways to improve the mental health and educational outcomes of gifted children. For example, I plan to study how therapeutic interventions, mindfulness techniques, and emotional intelligence training can help them navigate the pressures of high expectations and perfectionism. Additionally, I hope to collaborate with educators and policymakers to develop integrated programs that combine academic enrichment with mental health support. My passion for this work is deeply rooted in my personal experiences of adversity and resilience. Growing up, I faced significant challenges, including neglect, physical abuse, and the instability of foster care. These hardships instilled in me a profound appreciation for the importance of stability, advocacy, and emotional well-being. While my story differs from that of gifted children, my journey has equipped me with the empathy and determination to address their unique challenges. These experiences fuel my commitment to creating safe spaces where gifted children can embrace their strengths and vulnerabilities without fear of judgment or failure. Gifted children often feel pressured to excel academically while suppressing their emotional needs. As a clinical psychologist, I aim to help them balance their intellectual pursuits with their mental health. By teaching them resilience, emotional regulation, and self-compassion, I hope to empower them to achieve their goals while maintaining a strong sense of self-worth. My approach will emphasize creating safe, judgment-free spaces where they can express themselves authentically, fostering self-confidence and personal growth. Beyond working directly with children, I aspire to contribute to the field through research, advocacy, and public education. By shedding light on the unique challenges gifted children face, I hope to challenge misconceptions and foster a more inclusive understanding of their needs. My work will emphasize destigmatizing mental health challenges among gifted children and advocating for systems that prioritize both their academic and emotional well-being. In conclusion, my career as a clinical psychologist will be dedicated to addressing the social-emotional and intellectual needs of gifted children. Through advanced education, mentorship, community engagement, and research, I aim to empower these children to navigate their challenges and embrace their unique identities. By addressing their needs holistically, I hope to make a lasting impact on their lives and contribute to a society that supports and celebrates giftedness in all its complexity. My journey, shaped by resilience and compassion, will guide me as I work to foster a brighter and more balanced future for gifted children.

Born into a family of dysfunction and disappointments, I’m determined to become the first Lampkin to earn a college degree, where I can utilize my knowledge to assist people with similar problematic experiences. Formerly raised by a single mother, an imprisoned father, I’ve never experienced love or support by them. From four to seven years old, my drug addicted mother had consistently prioritized drugs, theft, incarceration, over my well-being. Living in motels, left with strangers she barely knew, riding in trunks of cars allowing room for her friends, and forced to hide items so we can leave without paying, was clearly no life for a child. I suffered mental, emotional, physical abuse, as well as three years of sexual abuse by the hands of a family member who’s now serving a 35-year imprisonment. Due to the wrongdoing of my mother and negligence of her family, such as evading police, not enrolling me in school, instability, my traumatized life would change forevermore. However the blessing in disguise would come when she one day enrolled me in school, a day I will never forget. Summoned to the office, where D.C.F.S. representatives awaited me, leaving me crying, screaming, and kicking with fear in my heart of the unknown whereabouts of my mother and If I’d ever see her again. As months passed, adapting to my new environment, I lived in constant fear of going to school, terrified that someone would again take me away from the new life I grew to know. Growing up in Foster Care, I developed emotional insecurities, abandonment issues and confusion. I continued to struggle with low self-esteem, as I looked into the mirror filled with sadness because I saw the reflection of worthlessness. Sometimes being treated unkind, receiving hand me downs, and instability, I knew overall being protected from harm was far more important. By the age of nine, thank God, the courts found an Aunt on my father’s side who took legal guardianship over me, where I currently reside. I learnt the value of an education, self confidence, love and stability! I vowed to never let the reflection of my past, define nor deter my future. Hardships have fueled my determination in pursuit of a gratifying career of helping people suffering from abandonment, mental health, trauma, and abuse. The path of education I seek will allow me to counsel and diagnose areas of concern. As a testament of my resilience and dedication, I maintained a 4.0 GPA even with the higher level classes such as AP, Honors, Dual Enrollment. Throughout high school, I studied peer counseling where I could help others navigate their emotions, provide a listening ear, and potentially find resolutions. My true growth has come from developing a deep sense of compassion, particularly with people who find themselves in need of guidance and support. Through these experiences, I've realized a profound truth: It’s better to focus your energy on the positive rather than the negative. Please assist me in doing so.

My name is Junia Lampkin. I've navigated the foster care system, grappled with my parents' struggles, and faced unimaginable trauma. Yet, through it all, I've discovered my resilience and the power of unwavering support. From a young age, I experienced the harsh realities of addiction and incarceration through my parents' actions. I felt abandoned and unstable, and the betrayal of being molested by a family member for four years further complicated my fragile sense of self. When CPS intervened, I was shuffled between various family members, never quite finding the stability I craved. My time in foster care was mixed - one home was neglectful, while another provided the warmth that helped me reclaim my smile. The turning point came when my aunt, my father's sister, discovered me. She became my guiding light, showing me the potential and strength within me. Meeting her and my siblings was nerve-wracking, but her unwavering support helped me begin to heal. Having a relationship with my father was a milestone, but when given the choice to stay with my aunt, father, or foster family, the decision was clear: my aunt was the only person I wanted to care for me. Having my aunt as my guardian has brought immense joy, but our journey has not been without challenges. She has pushed me beyond my limits, helping me realize my academic potential and build a strong sense of self. I'm grateful for her unwavering belief in me. My aunt has instilled in me the importance of integrity and accountability. She's taught me that I must be my own advocate. This lesson has been crucial as I've navigated high school. Holding myself accountable has been instrumental in shaping my character. One of the most challenging times was in the wake of my cousin's suicide in 7th grade. His death sent me into a tailspin, and my grades began to slip. But I knew giving up wasn't what he would have wanted. I dug deep, turned things around, and worked tirelessly to improve my performance. Earning recognition was one of my proudest moments, a testament to the strength my aunt has helped me cultivate. Through sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to see their potential. I am living proof that with unwavering support and belief in oneself, we can overcome even the darkest times and build a brighter future. In the spirit of agape love, I strive to give back. I volunteer at a local organization that supports foster youth, offering tutoring and mentoring. I participate in awareness campaigns, advocating for the needs of foster youth and the importance of stable homes. Through these actions, I aim to embody the unconditional love that has been so transformative in my life, and help create a brighter future for others.

My name is Junia Lampkin. As a young black woman who has navigated the foster care system, grappled with her parents' struggles, and faced unimaginable trauma, my journey has been marked by adversity. Yet, through it all, I have discovered my resilience and the power of unwavering support. From a young age, I experienced the harsh realities of addiction and incarceration through my parents' actions. My mother's drug addiction and my father's intermittent presence in jail left me feeling abandoned and unstable. The betrayal and pain of being molested by a family member for four years further complicated my already fragile sense of self. When CPS intervened and removed me from my mother's care, I was shuffled between various family members, never quite finding the stability I craved. My time in foster care was a mixed bag - one home was neglectful and cold, while another provided the warmth and kindness that helped me reclaim my smile. Even then, the longing for my mother lingered, a testament to the deep-seated yearning for familial love. The turning point came when my aunt, my father's sister, discovered me in the foster care system. She became my guiding light, showing me the potential and strength that lay within me. Meeting her and my siblings for the first time was nerve-wracking, but her unwavering support helped me begin to heal. Although my father didn't live up to my idealized version of him, having a relationship with him was still a significant milestone. Ultimately, when given the choice to stay with my aunt, my father, or return to my foster family, the decision was clear: my aunt was the only person I wanted to care for me. Having my aunt as my legal guardian has brought immense joy, but our journey has not been without its challenges. She has pushed me beyond my perceived limits, helping me realize my academic potential and build a strong sense of self. While I sometimes wonder what my life would be like if she hadn't found me, I am grateful for her unwavering belief in me. One of the most valuable lessons my aunt has instilled in me is the importance of integrity and accountability. She has taught me that I must be my own advocate, that I cannot always rely on others to propel me forward. As I've navigated my high school years, this lesson has been crucial. Holding myself accountable for my actions - whether it's completing homework, making responsible choices, or owning up to my mistakes - has been instrumental in shaping my character. One of the most challenging times I had to hold myself accountable was in the wake of my cousin's suicide in 7th grade. His death sent me into a tailspin, and my grades began to slip. But I knew that giving up wasn't what he would have wanted for me. Digging deep, I turned things around and worked tirelessly to improve my performance. Earning recognition as a student people spoke highly of was one of my proudest moments, a testament to the strength and resilience my aunt has helped me cultivate. Through sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to see their own potential, just as my aunt helped me see mine. I am living proof that with unwavering support and an unshakeable belief in oneself, we can overcome even the darkest of times and build a brighter future.