Born and raised in Missouri, Samantha was forced to leave the United States in fifth grade when her mother was deported to Curaçao for drug-related crimes. Living in a poverty- stricken island, Samantha and her family knew that academically her future was in the US. At the age of 10, alone without her parents, Samantha journeyed to Vermont to live with her sister. “I remember getting on the plane, watching my parents hold each other as the door shut between us. I cried the entire plane ride.” Over the next six years, Samantha moved five more times and currently lives with a friend close to her high school. Without parents in her life, Samantha has learned to depend upon herself and since 8th grade she works to help cover her basic needs. Samantha is the senior class president at Berkeley High, educates community youth about the risks associated with sex, drugs, alcohol, and driving, all while maintaining a 3.6 GPA.

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