Marta Hobbs was forced to abandon her old life to immigrate to America. Seemingly endless hardships greeted her. “Arriving in America at 13 was traumatic, lonely and terrifying,” she recalls. “I didn’t speak the language, I didn’t know the culture,…
Marta Hobbs was forced to abandon her old life to immigrate to America. Seemingly endless hardships greeted her. “Arriving in America at 13 was traumatic, lonely and terrifying,” she recalls. “I didn’t speak the language, I didn’t know the culture,…
Ines Tazi is unafraid to make her opinions heard. “Growing up in Morocco, I have seen people fighting for their rights since birth,” she remembers. “I am immensely grateful to have been surrounded by many strong women in my family…
In the blink of an eye, Lexi Hensler was on the brink of death. She reflected on what she would do with her future…if she was lucky enough to have one. “It had a profound impact on me – when…
Rachel Slawson firmly believes that becoming the first openly bisexual Miss USA delegate was a case of divine destiny. “This was one of the greatest dreams of my life, and watching it come true after many years of hard work…
Trista Croce stumbled into her dream job by chance. Sometimes good things do come out of unpaid internships! “I discovered my love for event coordination when I was in college,” she says. “I had to do a non-paid internship and…
Sam Hollander’s wayward adolescence was anchored by music. “As a kid, I was pretty lost,” he admitted. “I was a terrible student, bad athlete, etc., but I was a complete music freak. I collected records the way other kids hoarded…
Impact matters to disability advocate Tiffany Yu, regardless of scale. ”It can look so many different ways, whether it’s a one-to-one conversation with someone or coaching someone by reviewing their resume and doing mock interviews with them to creating a…
Jessie Paege launched her YouTube channel to begin building a community. She also sought a sense of belonging. “I started my platform because I had something called selective mutism and I was incredibly shy,” she recalls. “I saw another creator,…
On a whim, Ignacia Soto-Aguilar decided to pause law school to pursue makeup design. “I think back to that time and I think decisions felt less permanent at that age,” she shrugs. “I don’t necessarily remember it feeling like some…
Elana Dunkelman was theatrical before she even knew what theater was. “I was 11 years old and I was super dramatic/expressive,” she says. “My mom signed me up for a youth musical theater group. I remember the moment I stepped…
Johnny Dephillipo has never been one to seek out romance. He believed in letting the opportunity find him. “I thought, ‘Don’t go searching so hard.’ I was really laid back and I honestly didn’t try too much at love,” he…
It takes just a spark for an artist to change the world. Sharar Ali-Speakes finds the deepest nourishment in both treasuring herself and advocating for others. “Multiple things light your soul on fire as an artist,” she says. “The majority…