As a little girl growing up in Florida's Foster Care System, I learned to submerge myself in fantasy and surrealism in order to escape the dismal reality of my youth. Creativity was the only outlet for my anger, frustration, pain, and sadness. I moved around so often, it became a habit for me to sketch my environment- rooms, doors, hallways- to serve as static proof of a nomadic world. The emotional strain of a transient life was enough to turn me inward in search of solace, consistency, and acceptance. As a result, I created a notional world from which I draw my artistic inspiration.

High school was an uphill battle for me. Struggling to fit in, difficulty focusing in school, and facing family issues were the only constants in my life. Yet, despite the setbacks, I've managed to stay afloat, becoming the first person in my family to graduate high school and go on to college. My freshman year at Florida State University (FSU) proved to be the most emotionally challenging time of my life. It was extremely difficult for me to find support and connection amongst a sea of strangers- my family included. I became apathetic, isolated, and detached from myself and others around me causing my grades, and essentially my life, to take a nose dive. Knowing that I had to get my life together, and quickly, I moved back home to Jean, my foster mother and decided to start anew.

"Jean has always been, and will always be, my rock when I felt my world caving in on me. She was there when I graduated high school, she was there when I got accepted to Florida State University (FSU), she was there when I nearly took my life, she was there when I dropped out of FSU, she was there when I got my life together, when I completed the Miami Tropical Marathon, and when I got accepted to the University of Florida's College of Engineering. So yeah, she HAS been my rock! More than my rock, she's been the earth that gave me life.

There were times when I deceived her in an attempt to determine if her love was real. But unlike most people at that time in my life, she stayed and showed me that I was ok and worthy of love and respect. I still struggle with self-acceptance and confidence but I know that there is at least one person in the world that truly loves me with her soul. I must not be that bad if I'm worthy of such magnitude of love and support!

All it took was ONE person, Jean, to help me realize my potential and inner beauty. She helped me believe in my dreams; giving me the strength and support needed to pursue them. I can honestly say that I am where I am today, intellectually, physically, mentally, and spiritually, because of her."

-Keecha