2017 All-Stars

Years in care: 2 When Katlyn entered care she was placed with her aunt. After about two years in care, she was adopted by her aunt and her husband. Most recently she graduated with an Associates Degree in General Studies from Glen Oaks Community College. While attending community college she... Read more

Years in care: 7 Louie Gasper is a Young Adult Consultant with the Capacity Building Center for States and a 2021 Journalism Institute Fellow with POLITICO. He has earned certifications in Citizen Politics from the Harvard Kennedy School and obtained a certificate in Digital Marketing from the Gies Business School... Read more

Years in Care: 7 Mathurin was in care for 7 years until he aged out. During his time in care, he experienced over 38 different placements--mostly residential treatment facilities and a few foster homes. He encountered many challenges while in care due to his lack of knowledge about the foster... Read more

Years in care: 15 Montoya entered foster care at age 5 due to a history of abuse. Montoya lived in 12 foster homes and 2 residential treatment centers. Montoya participated and advocated with P.E.A.K.S camp, Teen Conference, Youth Leadership Council, Lone Star Conference, and Youth in Action at the State... Read more

Years in care: 18 The foster care experience was interesting, hard, patient, learned, and shape-shifting. It has really made people who they are to this day. Foster care has helped him to see the brighter side of the beauty in life. It had been very rough but by the grace... Read more

Years in care: 12 After being introduced into the foster care system at age 7, Nick's journey included challenging obstacles including transitioning over 30 times while living in foster care. During high school Nick decided to play football. Nick felt because football was a contact sport it ultimately helped him... Read more

Years in care: 12 Pearlie Massey is a young girl from Rochester, NY. She is currently a student at Buffalo State College, pursuing a major in social work. Social work has always been a passion of hers, yet she was encouraged to pursue a degree that pays more. As a... Read more

Years in care: 5 Sabian's first experience in foster care was in second grade when he was taken out of day-care with his sister. They were placed in a foster home for 4 months then later re-united with their mom. Forward to Sabian's sophomore year in high school, and it... Read more

Years in care: 17 Shanell Lavallie was born in Fort Belknap, MT Indian Reservation. At the age one, Shanell was moved to Great Falls, MT and placed into foster care. Shanell grew up in the same foster care placement and aged out of the foster care system. During her junior... Read more

Years in care: 11 Shelby is a Administrative Assistant with Sam Houston State University at their Student Money Management Center. Shelby is a sophomore in college trying to obtain a Major in Psychology with a Minor in Finance. She has a cat named Yuki and they live in a beautiful... Read more