2013 Outstanding Young Leaders

Maryssa Figlioli spent 4 years in Pennsylvania foster care system. Some people demonstrate almost superhuman daily strength as a matter of instinct. Marissa Figlioli is one of those people. Despite a seemingly endless barrage of obstacles placed in her path, Marissa has not only risen to her challenges but has... Read more

Brant Duda is a leader. It comes to him naturally. Life hasn’t always provided Brant the easiest landscape to traverse, but his response has always been the same: To lead the way, not just for himself, but for others too. Brant experienced two different foster homes when he was placed... Read more

Katelynn Morris spent 4 years in Michigan's foster care system. Katelynn Morris’s biography over the last few years—the amount of placements, the amount of schools, the separation from her siblings—and you might not think she had a lot of time for herself, much less for other people. But her resume... Read more

Kayla Morgan spent 8 years in Michigan's foster care system Kayla’s life and service to the community are driven by a simple but painful reality; as she says it, “I know how it feels to be lost and feel like no one loves you. I want to bring love and... Read more

Emily Crocker spent 21 years in Maine's foster care system Emily Crocker is a shining example of personal resilience and turning difficult experiences into dedicated leadership and care for others. Having lived within the foster care system for 21 years, with over 12 placements that took her to multiple states... Read more

Antoinette Conway spent over 7 years in Michigan’s foster care system. Antoinette’s life experience personifies the concept of the heroes journey. Having lived within the foster care system for 7 years and endured the loss of many important people in her life to drug overdoses, accidents and incarceration, Antoinette is... Read more

Kashawn Omar McRavion-Little spent 9 years in North Carolina's foster care system. Kashawn entered care at age 5 after being removed from his home. After a year of living with foster families, he was moved to a group home where he remained for nearly 7 years until he was adopted... Read more

Spent 7 years in Ohio's foster care system Brianna was first placed in foster care at age five. She has moved between the care of her biological mother, a relative, foster care and a group home over the period of nine years. She lived in the group home arrangement until... Read more

Cherokee Cheatham spent 7 years in New York's foster care system There are people that talk, people that listen, and people that act. When you come across someone that can do all three, then you have identified a budding leader. Cherokee Cheatham is one of those people. At age 17,... Read more

For Josue, childhood was full of immense challenges. Born in Honduras, adopted at birth, soon after his adoptive family collapsed and he experienced horrible crimes against him and his family as a young boy. At age 14, Josue entered foster care in the U.S. had been placed in five different... Read more