SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month
Shorona L.
November 2012
Shorona L. is a twenty year old junior in college in the state of New York. Her hobbies include shopping, spending time with friends and family, and cooking. Despite spending nine years in the foster care system, Shorona has decided to live life to the fullest! While in high school’s main goal was to pass all of her classes and go to college. Although she knew that she wanted to go to college and make the most of her college experience, she wasn’t sure what exactly she wanted to do.
Shorona’s foster care agency helped her with the application process and she made the tough decision to go to college out of state. Shorona believes this is the best decision she could have made – she is able to be independent and experience college the way she envisioned. The move out of state not only allowed her to gain insight about her life but she was also able to remove herself from the stress and drama that was a part of her life at that time. Shorona knows that her West Indian parents would not have been able to afford her the opportunity to live on campus while attending college. She has joined and participates in different clubs and organizations that she couldn’t have imagined joining.
Shorona knows that life is not all about impressing people but there is something worthwhile about sharing something about you to help others. She believes that what she has gone through since the age of 11 will surely have an impact on others. She also knows that those people will have a great impact on her. Her ultimate goal is to become a clinical psychologist specializing in working with foster youth so that she can give back to her community while having her own private business.
“Sometimes, I say everything happens for a reason and although foster care might be the worse experience ever it surely made me into the strong young lady I am today,” Shorona revealed. The advice that Shorona wants to share with other youth in foster care is to take advantage of all the opportunities that are being given to you. “If you truly love something go after it. No matter if you fall flat on your face several times, it shows that you are trying to do something you love; and you are NOT giving up. Always remember without individual struggles none of us would be where we are today! Follow the voice in your heart. Always know that’s how to find who you are; and always let your dreams be bigger than your fears. Remember your actions speak louder than your words. Life is short, enjoy it to the fullest but have all your priorities straight!”
The Teen Toolbox “SPOTLIGHT Teen of the Month” award recognizes a youth (14-21) in the foster care system that is leading a life of promise and making a positive impact in his or her community. Nominations are accepted on a continuous basis. Visit our website to nominate a teen.
Nicki Sanders, MSW, Chief Visionary Officer
The Teen Toolbox provides youth portfolio development and civic engagement and academic empowerment strategies to help teens set goals for life after high school and create a road map to reach those goals through its PACKAGED FOR SUCCESS™ Programs.