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Tori Comontofski

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Advocacy And Activism
  • Animals
  • Board Games And Puzzles
  • Biking And Cycling
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Communications
  • Crafting
  • Jewelry Making
  • Magic
  • Meditation and Mindfulness
  • Neuroscience
  • Sewing

Reading

  • Romance
  • Academic
  • Biography
  • Adult Fiction
  • Crafts
  • Fantasy
  • Health
  • Magical Realism
  • Novels
  • Psychology

I read books daily.

Bio

I have recently decided to go back to school for the first time in 16 years. I am excited to continue my journey after getting a handle on some of life’s hardships. I would like to study psychology and journalism. I am fascinated by the human condition and will explore the mind, body, and spirit connection. I hope to be able to do work that will help others to understand the power of the mind to heal and transform the individual. I hope to further my learning of holistic healing and psychology in order to be able to write things that will impact people and help effect positive change.

Education

Long Beach City College

Associate's degree program

2026 – 2028

Majors:
  • Journalism

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Desired degree modality:
In-Person
Medical school interest:
No

Career

  • Server

    Restaurants · 9021pho

    Jan 2013 – Jan 2014

  • Server

    Restaurants · Beckham Grill

    Jan 2014 – Jan 2015

  • Packaging Specialist

    Manufacturing · Nellson Nutraceuticals

    Jan 2016 – Jan 2016

  • Paid Canvasser

    Government Relations · Parent Teacher Alliance

    Jan 2016 – Jan 2016

  • Bartender, Server

    Restaurants · Harlow's French Dip

    Jan 2016 – Jan 2017

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Alternative Medicine
Work experience:
10+ years
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
  • Entrepreneurship
Lost Dreams Awaken Scholarship
I am currently 4 months sober and have decided to go back to school for the first time in 16 years. Since being sober, I have challenged myself to stay the course. Life isn’t easy, but it is way better. I was tired of being homeless, and associating with people who didn’t care about me. It was time for a change. Life isn’t perfect today, but it is drastically better. I get to feel my emotions today, and I am grateful for that. I get to meet people and support them on their journey of recovery. I feel excited about life and going back to school. I am aware that the journey will take work. I will continue my learning about the mind, body, and spirit, so that I may write things that impact others. I enjoy studying and participating in holistic healing as well. I have found sound healing, yoga, meditation, and the use of herbs to be vital in my recovery journey. I plan to continue learning about these things and incorporating them into my study of psychology and journalism. I hope to be able to inspire others by these expressions. I seek healing and satisfaction in gratitude and simple pleasures. I hope that my understanding of myself now and in the future will be an asset that I can share with others. I always remember that “this too shall pass”. Feelings go away, and every day sober is a step towards achieving health and happiness long-term.
Max Bungard Memorial Scholarship
I am currently 4 months sober and have decided to go back to school for the first time in 16 years. I recently entered treatment after doing a month and a half in jail. I had done something I never thought I would. I used drugs while I was pregnant and gave birth while I was in jail. I spent a week in the hospital with my son before putting him up for adoption. This was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I knew if I had tried to keep him he might be placed with my family and be at risk of being sexually abused like my daughter was. I also knew I had to continue working to try to get my daughter safe, so I decided that he would be better cared for with someone else. Since being sober, I have challenged myself to stay the course. Life isn’t easy, but it is way better. I was tired of the emotional hole I was digging. I was tired of putting myself in dangerous situations, and the anger never getting better. I was tired of being homeless, and associating with people who didn’t care about me. It was time for a change. Life isn’t perfect today, but it is drastically better. I wake up ready to face the day. I feel content and excited. I feel sad and angry sometimes, but it is not my overall attitude, like it was before. I get to feel my emotions today, and I am grateful for that. I get to meet people and support them on their journey of recovery. I feel excited about life and going back to school. I am aware that the journey will take work. I will have to balance school and recovery. I will continue to practice self-care, but today I get to be present and encourage others along the way. I would like to continue my learning about the mind, body, and spirit, so that I may write things that impact others. I enjoy studying and participating in holistic healing as well. I have found sound healing, yoga, meditation, and the use of herbs to be vital in my recovery journey. I plan to continue learning about these things and incorporating them into my study of psychology and journalism. I hope to be able to inspire others by these expressions. I have learned that there is something different about the addicts brain. We respond with craving, while others don’t. I have learned that often it is trauma in our childhood that made it difficult for us to experience pleasure like others. This craving makes us different. Most of us also found drugs or alcohol before our brains had even fully developed. We never gave ourselves a natural chance to heal. I keep these things in mind as I recover. I stay aware that it will take up to two years for the brain to produce the pleasure hormones normally, and I seek healing and satisfaction in gratitude and simple pleasures. I hope that my understanding of myself now and in the future will be an asset that I can share with others. I plan to work with a sponsor and do the spiritual work of the 12 steps. One day I hope to pass that on by sponsoring others, and using my journalism degree to share my knowledge. I always remember that “this too shall pass”. Feelings go away, and every day sober is a step towards achieving health and happiness long-term.
Trudgers Fund
I am currently 4 months sober and have decided to go back to school for the first time in 16 years. I recently entered treatment after doing a month and a half in jail. I had done something I never thought I would. I used drugs while I was pregnant and gave birth while I was in jail. I spent a week in the hospital with my son before putting him up for adoption. This was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I knew if I had tried to keep him he might be placed with my family and be at risk of being sexually abused like my daughter was. I also knew I had to continue working to try to get my daughter safe, so I decided that he would be better cared for with someone else. Since being sober, I have challenged myself to stay the course. Life isn’t easy, but it is way better. I was tired of the emotional hole I was digging. I was tired of putting myself in dangerous situations, and the anger never getting better. I was tired of being homeless, and associating with people who didn’t care about me. It was time for a change. Life isn’t perfect today, but it is drastically better. I wake up ready to face the day. I feel content and excited. I feel sad and angry sometimes, but it is not my overall attitude, like it was before. I get to feel my emotions today, and I am grateful for that. I get to meet people and support them on their journey of recovery. I feel excited about life and going back to school. I am aware that the journey will take work. I will have to balance school and recovery. I will continue to practice self-care, but today I get to be present and encourage others along the way. I would like to continue my learning about the mind, body, and spirit, so that I may write things that impact others. I enjoy studying and participating in holistic healing as well. I have found sound healing, yoga, meditation, and the use of herbs to be vital in my recovery journey. I plan to continue learning about these things and incorporating them into my study of psychology and journalism. I hope to be able to inspire others by these expressions. I have learned that there is something different about the addicts brain. We respond with craving, while others don’t. I have learned that often it is trauma in our childhood that made it difficult for us to experience pleasure like others. This craving makes us different. Most of us also found drugs or alcohol before our brains had even fully developed. We never gave ourselves a natural chance to heal. I keep these things in mind as I recover. I stay aware that it will take up to two years for the brain to produce the pleasure hormones normally, and I seek healing and satisfaction in gratitude and simple pleasures. I hope that my understanding of myself now and in the future will be an asset that I can share with others. I plan to work with a sponsor and do the spiritual work of the 12 steps. One day I hope to pass that on by sponsoring others, and using my journalism degree to share my knowledge. I always remember that “this too shall pass”. Feelings go away, and every day sober is a step towards achieving health and happiness long-term.
Tori Comontofski Student Profile | Bold.org