Tina Woods spent 6 years in Kansas's foster care system.
Tina plans to earn a Secondary Education degree in Spanish and then attend law school to become a GAL. Tina entered foster care at age 14. She has lived in the same foster home for 6 years. Tina is a hard worker and at times held down two jobs in high school while excelling academically. Education continues to be important to her. School was her sanctuary when things were tough at home. When it comes to being a leader, she's all about positivity. She's very inclusive of everyone in her groups and encourages kindness and optimism.
Tina has participated on the Kansas Youth Advisory Council as well as her regional youth advisory council since 2010. She is currently the president of the KYAC. Tina was the Kansas Youth Representative to the National Youth in Transition Database Conference in 2012. She attended the 2013 National Pathways to Adulthood in Baltimore. This summer, Tina was involved in a pilot project through the Kansas Supreme Court Task Force on Permanency Planning in which as a KYAC member she helped train foster youth ages 11-18 about participating in their own court cases.
In high school, Tina was either the vice president or president of the following clubs in her school: Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Students, National Honor Society and Student Council. Tina has taught Sunday School Class and worked in her church’s nursery. In high school she was a mentor for YouthFriends. At the University of Kansas, Tina was on the program committee of The Big Event, a service day that connects campus volunteers with local projects. She is a member of Chi Alpha Ministries, Navigators and Hawk Link.
University of Kansas Hixson Scholar
Ellis Foundation Scholarship Recipient
Jennifer Walker VanDyke National Honor Society Scholarship Recipient
Elks Most Valuable Student Award
Sophia L. Gokey Scholarship Recipient
Galena Educational Foundation Scholarship Recipient
Salutatorian - Galena High School Class of 2012
