"Push through, be smart, love yourself although others may not, and most importantly, be your own champion. It is easy to fall into a narrative of thinking that you are only what those around you tell or treat you to be, but your fate is in your hands."

"I learned that no matter how great the adversity, I will overcome."

"My ability to not only break these challenges down, but to come out of them and THRIVE, is forever something that will speak volumes to my character."

"When you #SpeakUp, you never know who's listening, so please, please speak up. The possibilities are endless when you do! You're not alone, I am here with you. I stand with and for you, always."

"The system taught me that I was stronger than what I knew, and wiser than what I felt."

"Hope is the only thing we have left to help us get through and keep going--to keep fighting. Hope is the only power we have in certain situations so hang on to that."

"The foster care system taught me to be self motivated and leave no corner unturned. It taught me resilience, independence, hard work, determination and above all, strategy and timing."

"Every young person in the system should know that they are valued and loved despite what they may be experiencing in the moment or experienced in the past."