2014 Outstanding Young Leaders

Taneya Sickmon spent 4 years in Colorado's foster care system. Taneya entered the foster care system at age twelve due to her mother’s abusiveness and drug addiction. She was placed with her aunt and uncle with her younger sister. She’s lived with them ever since, and Taneya and her sister... Read more

Michelle Kobus spent 11 years in Virginia's foster care system. Some kids just seem driven—to be contribute, to excel, to lead. For a lot of those kids, life has been full of approval and support—but not for Michelle. She is a contributor and a leader, that’s for certain: In high... Read more

Melinda Ruiz spent 4 years in Arizona's foster care system. Melinda, still in High School, is bound and determined to do her best, graduating in 2014. She plans on continuing her education to pursue becoming a phlebotomist. She holds a job, while doing well in school, working for a child... Read more

Shane Kendall spent 10 years in Kentucky's foster care system. For Shane Kendall of Kentucky, life has never been easy—even when it looked like he’d gotten the breaks. After four years and four homes in foster care, he was adopted at the age of seven. But something just wasn’t right,... Read more

Lenys Ruelas spent 2 years in Arizona's foster care system. Eighteen year old Lenys Ruelas served in the youth Tucson Fire fighter cadet program where he recieved an award for exemplifying leadership and dedication. More recentley Lenys has been working with Good Will Good Futures in Tucson, Arizona, where he... Read more

Matti Rooks spent 3 years in Texas's foster care system. Seventeen year old high school student Matti Rooks has already demonstrated a lifetime of leadership, service, and resilience. She is an inspiration for other young people for not only overcoming difficult experiences but then going on to advocate against bullying... Read more

Michael Rogalski spent 4 years in Ohio's foster care system. Michael Rogalski is a remarkable young professional who plans to someday become a City Manager, and we are certain he will contribute positively to society and are excited about his future. He feels that “There is no reason anyone should... Read more

Yamina Izunza spent over 3 years in California's foster care system. Yamina Inzunza believes foster youth earn their strength. She writes, “We've learned to be careful with who we trust.” But the difficulties that some might have communicating with foster youth is not intimidating to Yamina. She understands that as... Read more

Ashley Howell spent 1 year in Washington's foster care system. It took Ashley Howell three years, five cities and six placements before she landed in the house that she will forever call “home”. Ashley was ten years old and met her mom and dad who would help turn Ashley into... Read more

Simone Hines spent time in New York's foster care system. At times, perspective can be all we have to keep our faith in eachother. Simone Hines knows that the “purpose of the foster care system is to provide” for youth when their biological parents cannot. But what happens when that... Read more