2010 Outstanding Young Leaders

Rebecca experienced 13 different elementary schools and numerous placements while in foster care. She says, "As you can imagine, this made school difficult for me." By seventh grade she had found a good placement. "Fortunately, I did find my forever family by the seventh grade and they became my permanent... Read more

Melissa entered the foster care system at age 15 and remained in care until age 19. During this time she lived in a shelter and a traditional foster home. Melissa has been an active voice for improving the Oklahoma foster care system since 2005. Her efforts include presenting multiple workshops... Read more

Shante is a college graduate, having graduated from York College, City University of New York. She will be attending the Parsons New School for Design this fall in order to obtain a Master's Degree in graphic design and animation. She would like to have a career as a film or... Read more

Passion has been in foster care for six years, from the age of 14 until emancipating at 21. She says, “I sum up my foster care experience as bittersweet but most definitely necessary. I was exposed to more opportunities that I ever thought possible while living at home with my... Read more

Saida entered the foster system at age 15. She has lived in 8 homes, 5 of which were group homes. Saida says, "Even though these things went on in my life I still think foster care made me who I am today!" Saida is currently her junior class president, and... Read more

Kayla was placed in care for the first time around age 2, left the system at 11 and returned at age 16. With multiple placements starting at a young age, she's not sure how many homes she's been in, but guesses anywhere from 8-14. Kayla was been a member of... Read more

After entering foster care at age 14, Jennifer was moved to several different placements, eventually becoming separated from both of her siblings. She says, "The most difficult challenge I faced upon being put in foster care would have to be sibling separation. I didn't always get along with my siblings,... Read more

Crystal has had extensive experience within the foster care system. Separated from her siblings and parents when she was 12, Crystal bounced from home to home due to complications with foster families. During the course of 7 years, she was in 20 different foster homes. Crystal has been a part... Read more

Shannon entered the foster care system at the age of fourteen. She was placed in two residential treatment facilities and two group homes. Shannon had family who wanted to take her in but were not allowed to do so. She is currently attending Ivy Tech Community college.Read more

Jordan grew up in Russian orphanages before two unsuccessful adoptions in the United States. He then went through numerous placements in the US foster care system. At his last placement Jordan found his foster dad, who become a mentor and profoundly impacted his life. Unfortunately, he passed away and Jordan... Read more