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I was raised by my grandparents, who were the foundation of my early life. My grandpa worked hard into his 70s, mostly doing labor and farm work, showing me the value of hard work and perseverance. My grandma stayed home and raised me, providing the love and care that shaped my understanding of family. Sadly, both of them passed away from cancer when I was 15 and 16, which left a lasting impact on me. Their loss taught me resilience, how to cope with grief, and the importance of cherishing the time you have with loved ones

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Corbin, KY, with a population of about 9000, is a small town where the community is close, but there’s not much room for anyone who falls outside the norm. While the support from neighbors was there when it was needed, it also came with a lot of gossip, and everyone knew everyone else’s business. The beauty of the town was something I always appreciated. But as the town has grown and become more industrialized, it’s lost some of that small-town charm. When I visit now, it doesn’t feel the same. However, that small town feel helped raise me.

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Losing both of my grandparents to cancer was a turning point in my life. It opened my eyes and caused a shift in my behavior. I lived with them throughout their treatments, and watching them fight gave me a firsthand look at strength and vulnerability. I feared their deaths every single day and remember walking past their rooms every night, checking to make sure they were still breathing. I had to work through all the stages of grief and loss, and even now, I’m not sure that I’m fully over it. Writing this still brings tears to my eyes. Their passing taught me the fragility of life, but also how to cherish the moments I have with those I love

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The Foster Care & Juvenile Justice Systems

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The Foster Care & Juvenile Justice Systems

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At 16, I entered the foster care system, and while it was a difficult experience, it also gave me opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Thanks to the grants I received, I can continue my education. My social worker became one of my biggest supporters, always encouraging me to pursue my dreams and even showing up for me after care, like being present at my first college graduation. She helped me find my passion for social work and criminal justice, and I knew that was the path I wanted to follow. Without the support I got through foster care, I wouldn’t have had the chance to build the future I’m working toward now. I was able to turn a negative experience into a positive outcome, certainly improving my resilience.

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Graduating from Somerset Community College was incredibly special to me because it was something that nobody expected of me. Coming from foster care and the juvenile justice system, I was often labeled a troublemaker and delinquent, with little belief that I’d amount to anything. But there were a few people who believed in me, and that belief pushed me to prove them right. I graduated with two associate degrees, one in Social and Behavioral Sciences and another in Criminal Justice. These degrees were a testament to my resilience and determination to succeed, despite the challenges. It was a powerful reminder that I could achieve more than what others thought was possible, despite the deck being stacked against me.