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Ashley Marguerite Papias
She/Her/Hers/Ella
17 Years Old
California Foster Care System
Ashley entered the foster care system at 5 years old -- in the state of California -- and will exit as soon as she turns 18. She is planning to attend UC Berkeley this upcoming fall. She was motivated at a young age to become a role model because of the absence of role models she had in her life. There was no one she shared her identities with, being a low income Latina foster youth woman. She taught herself how to read, write, and count because lacked a support system in her new home or her new school. She became dedicated to helping others and herself. In the future Ashley hopes to pursue a higher education and major in Ethnic Studies and Minor in Gender and Women's Studies to help her marginalized communities combat issues they face on a day to day basis.
To the children in foster care, Ashley leaves you with a piece of advice, "Stay strong and willing to overcome the challenges and obstacles that life will throw your way, you are amazing enough to accomplish them!”