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DreamStyle 50

January 2023 | Vol. 1

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Welcome

18 Autumn, Adapting to Change

A Prelude: Mundane to Marvelous

19 Miracle, Dreams Outlive Hurt

Jocelyn, Celebrate Small Victories

20 Work-Life Balance

Samantha, Overcoming Anxiety

21 Maitri, Spread Kindness

Himangi, Finding Self-Love

22 Tahira, Life is Not a Race

Sabina, Keep an Open Heart

23 Equaecia, Expelling Self-Doubt

Kylie, Reaching Goals

24 Barbara, Embrace the New

Sohela, The Perfect Robot

25 Olivia, Live + Love Intentionally

Kianna, Beauty of Motherhood

26 JoHannah, Passion in Abundance

10 Myra, The Joy of Travel

27 Cristina, Resiliency + Optimism

Keys to Networking

28 Crystal, Balancing Good + Bad

12 Amber, Morphing Grief into Joy

29 Struggling with Rejection

13 Aggy, Discover Your Worth

30 Hermela, Making Good Choices

14 Raven, Forging a New Legacy

31 Raquel, Crushing Obstacles

15 Nisa, Achieving Success

32 Ciara, Lessons in Hardships

16 Kaylen, Independence Abroad

33 Raevyn, A Rising Star

Danielle, Cultural Immersion

34 Danielle, In Spite of Adversity

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Other

35 DeArta, Academic Success

52 Dani, Where New Beginnings Lead

36 Hana, Persist in the Wake of Failure

53 Jazlyn, Use Your Voice

37 Amanda, Curate Your Dream Life

54 Marisol, Power of Education

38 Interview Fashion DO's + DONT's

55 Jordan, Are You Happy?

39 Michelle, Living Out Your Passions

56 Breanna, Ode to a Younger Bre

40 Janet, Don't Downgrade Your Dreams

57 Necol, 'Signing' Through Life

41 Jada, Learning During the Journey

58 Ebonie's Workspace

42 Katerine, Strength + Independence

59 Ebonie's Workspace Cont.

43 Shayla, A Resilient Recovery

60 AD - Modeste Photography

44 Catalina, Harnessing Discipline

61 AD - Kylie Cooper Photography

45 Mikayla, Escape Your Comfort Zone

62 AD - Renewed Being

46 Lauren, Overcoming + Thriving

63 Giveaway - Renewed Being

47 Benefits to having a Personal Site

64 AD - Quia Z Art

48 Melissa, Conquering Fears

65 Biography - Quia Z

49 Sofia, Dispelling Doubts

66 AD -Elixrology Photography

50 Sandra, Adapting to Change

67 Thank You

51 Astrid, Ushering in a Bright Future

e m o c l e W THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF MY JOURNEY! Take a listen to why this magazine was birthed, my intentions for our future next steps together, and a funny childhood story of mine regarding my embarrassing experience with banana pudding…..

With Love, Ebonie

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Dream Style

There must be more to life than this,” I thought. I clearly remember sitting at my cubicle desk one Friday afternoon around 3pm, munching on my butter popcorn at my great paying job, with some really cool colleagues and… being unfulfilled. Sure my schedule was pretty flexible. It needed to be that way in order to accommodate my lifestyle of parenting children who were under the age of five at the time. I needed to be able to be there for their early developmental years and my flexible schedule afforded me that opportunity. Sounds great right? Wrong. I was at a job that’s sole purpose in my life was to basically serve a paycheck, when what I really needed was to be served vibrancy, life, and fulfillment. My job at that time gave me very little satisfaction in each of those areas. How could it? I was stuck in a holding pattern of going to my job day after day, and “can’t” “waiting” my life away. You know what I’m talking about. “I can’t wait for the holidays,” “I can’t wait for my vacation,” or “I can’t wait for the weekend.” I found myself saying those things all too often, because anything involving NOT being at my job was what I looked forward to. That’s the norm for so many ladies, but I knew I needed to change that. I wanted to LIVE. And not just for the weekend, but for every day, every second, every moment. I wanted to enjoy every single part of my life. Little did I know that enjoyment would derive from being a holistic career and wellness coach.

LIVING AS A HOLISTIC CAREER & WELLNESS COACH Seriously. If someone would’ve told me that I would be a holistic career & wellness coach when I was younger, I would have simply looked at them with a blank stare and said, “What kind of job is that? Is it even real?” Once I identified that I wanted to impact lives as a holistic career & wellness coach and help women to love themselves inside and out, while also pursuing their life purpose I became excited about life! I made a career change to become an entrepreneur. I no longer met the social norm of going to my safe 9-5 job just so that I could buy cute outfits and material things that lacked real meaning to me. Instead, my desire was to live a life I loved, this became my source of strength. I steadily created a ripple effect of passion to women in my local community and across the seas. These women that I helped inspire, began to also embrace the notion that meaning and purpose is necessary if we are to give love, understanding and attention to the people who need it the most. Can you relate to how I felt working that boring 9-5 job? Does it feel like your job is slowly sucking the energy out of you? Maybe you would love to escape, but you don’t know where to turn, and you don’t know how to get started. You may be wondering if you need to return to school to earn another degree, certificate, or continuing education credits. You may be thinking, “How on Earth will I even find time to make the sacrifice to further my education?”, “Who will take care of the children while I study?”, and “What if I can’t find a job when I’m finished?”

YOU CAN START A FULFILLING LIFESTYLE TOO! There are so many factors that run through our heads when it’s time to transition to living a better and more meaningful life. Most of us get stuck at the fear stage. That fear sometimes stems from the thought that things may not turn out the way we would like them to be after having given our time, money and energy to what we are pursuing. But what if I told you that FEAR actually stands for False Evidence Appearing Real and fear is holding you back from living a life you were meant to fulfill? What if there are people who need your exact gifts, talents, personality and presence in order to leave the darkness they are living in and propel them into the Marvelous light of living meaningfully on their own?

STOP FEARING – START LIVING: YOUR HEALTH, CAREER, AND WELLNESS DEPEND ON IT! Many of us are stuck in fear of the unknown and it’s slowly killing our spirits. Not only is it killing our spirits, but it’s also affecting our health, relationships, and sense of joy. We can’t possibly be the BEST version of ourselves if we are just barely making it through the day. I invite you to walk with me as I share more about my journey of leaving an unfulfilling, mundane corporate job and becoming a world change agent through the realm of health, wellness and career purpose. Sharing my success as a holistic career and wellness coach has afforded me the opportunity of transforming young, modern women’s lives and I want to do the same with you. I’ll share many of my BEST kept secrets to maintaining a low-stress lifestyle that I love, my joys, my disappointments and how you and I can continue to identify the things that raise our vibration on this earth so that we can discover our passions and live meaningfully and purposefully. Who do you know that would LOVE to transform their lives and join my “from Mundane to Marvelous” lifestyle movement? Share this blog post and comment below to share which of your biggest fears you will overcome this month. A fulfilling lifestyle isn’t just for a few select women. It’s for ALL of us!

X o E bon ie

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Dream Style

Dear Jocelyn, They depend on one another for entertainment and help each other out with everything. This, most of all made you realize that, for the most part, we make life so much harder than it needs to be. This experience made you think about the opportunities you have access to versus that of your family. Yet, they seemed so much more fulfilled with life. They taught you many things. That’s why you live everyday with the sole intent of appreciating the small things and most importantly finding joy in them. The bad things are not worth focusing on when there is so much good around us. I envision that in the future I will travel to many places, including Spain which has been my dream destination to visit. I will almost always be dressed in flowy, easy going attire when I'm not working. Sun dresses and long flowy skirts will be my go-to. I will hopefully be a Marketing Manager for a company where I am able work both remotely and inperson when needed. I will continue on my fitness journey and always fill my free time doing activities such as: hiking, biking, swimming etc. I will also learn how to surf.

Can you imagine that at 18 you would be proud of who you are becoming?

Traveling more this year and interacting with new people has made you realize that there is so much in life you want to explore. Going to Mexico and seeing your family content with a simple meal and a roof over their heads made you appreciate the simple things in life. They have no modern technology including: stoves, laptops, heaters, AC, Wi-Fi etc.

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Overall, God, my family and my personal improvement will be my priorities to which I hope to dedicate all my time to. I know there is always going to be more to learn and work on but, I'm up for the challenge and excited to discover what the future holds.

(Vol. 1)

A piece of advice I would give to someone pursuing their dreams is to acknowledge the milestones. If we don't take time to celebrate the small victories we will essentially never achieve our goal. Our goal is merely an excuse to develop new skills and experiences along the way. As cheesy as it may sound.

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” -Arthur Ashe

Jocely

You’re leaving the insecurities behind, or more so, not letting them define you. You are finally learning that it isn't others’ opinions that define you. It was a hard lesson, but now you can finally say that your opinion about yourself is above all. Although this may seem minor, to you, this is everything. Loving yourself was a goal you hadn’t thought about too much until you looked back and realized just how much time you spent seeking external validation. Now you have realized you are enough and that is more than enough.

I envision having a yellow Jeep, that I will primarily use for road-trips. I will make it a priority to spend time with myself by doing the things that I love. When I decide to get married, I will settle down somewhere near the beach. This way, when I decide to have a family I can take my kids and golden retriever down to the beach and show them just how beautiful nature is. Along with this, we will continue to travel as a family, both by flying and road tripping.

Senior Marketing Chair of DreamStyle Magazine

L O V E Dream Style

Dear Samantha, Can you imagine living a peaceful, happy life at 20-years-old? No longer riddled with anxiety? Looking back into the past you battled with fear, self-doubt and depression. You walked a path with many cracks in the road and fell hard due to failure or self-doubt but, despite all of that, you kept going. That experience pushed you too become a beautiful, confident and happy lady. Of course, you still have moments where you doubt or are filled with anxiety, however when you fall it isn’t as difficult to get back up compared to before. I still have a lot to learn, but I assure you that your 15-year-old self wouldn’t have been able to identify her 20-year-old self.

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Not only that, but you have traveled to Mexico all by yourself! This was possible with the support and love of family and friends. But also attainable by loving and believing in yourself. Learning to trust, care and love yourself is crucial when growing into the person you want to be. It is true when they say your only obstacle is yourself because if you believe in yourself, there is nothing you can’t do.

What if I told you, at the age of 30 you will be living your dream life? By 30, you own a beautiful apartment with an incredible view of the bay area, which you share with your partner and adorable dog. Not only do you and your partner live together but, you also travel worldwide together. You’ve been to Korea, Japan and South America with each other. You have visited Europe numerous times, not exclusively with your partner but with your sister and friends as well. Though you travel and work a lot, you still manage to find time for your family and friends. You’ve gotten better at reaching out to family and friends, because of that you’ve managed to create a beautiful connection with them. Your life may seem busy, but you will still work to find time for one more important thing: loving and taking care of yourself. Remember that believing in yourself will help you reach any goal in your life. Don’t just wait and hope that one day your anxiety will go away and you’ll live a happy life. Create that life. Just be dedicated to loving yourself and you will reach your highest point.

t n a m a S

Con amor

In the two decades you’ve been alive, you have accomplished things that you would never have imagined. Reaching milestones such as moving out of the house and slowly becoming independent. Taking the risk of not going straight into the University and entering a Design Bootcamp to become a UX Designer while working part-time as a Behavior Interventionist. You even found the time and a way to afford dance classes, something you have always wanted to do growing up.

With so much happening in your life, from maintaining your apartment, your dog, traveling, family, friends and working full time as a UX designer, it can be easy to overwhelm yourself and fall back into your awful anxious habits. Sadly, anxiety will always be part of your life. However, you will learn how to live with it which, can only happen by taking time for yourself. Practicing self-love and self-care can be done by painting, dancing or meditating. In reality, it can be anything as long it will help you center yourself.

Dream Style

Dear Himangi, Metamorphosis is a curious thing. One day you’re a 15-year-old teenage girl that wakes up ridiculously early in the morning to do your hair and makeup before school just so you can get a guy to even breathe in your direction. Then there comes a time where you’re just tired of being like everyone else.

If my 15-year-old self was looking at me today, she wouldn’t believe her eyes. She would be in awe to see a woman who enjoys her own company and can leave her home with nothing but sunscreen on her face. She would be in awe to see a woman who enjoys her own company and can leave her home with nothing but sunscreen on her face. I still remember when I got my first period. It’s one of those moments that stays with you, and makes you realize how you want to introduce womanhood someday to your daughter. I was 10 years old, it was a Sunday morning. I felt weird and bloated, like I had eaten something twice my size and it felt as if it was resting at the bottom of my stomach. I go to the bathroom and see a small red stain in my underwear. Nothing had prepared me for this moment, not the long talks I had with my mom about how my body will change and certainly not the puberty videos Mrs. Mercer had shown to all the 5th grade girls. I remember my mom was taking a nap. I woke her and told her I was different. She then showed me all the pads that were in our bathroom cabinet, a cabinet which I never even cared to notice. Now this cabinet would be where I would go once a month for many years. “How about we go pick out some books at the library?” she said. I remember the drive, telling her specifically that I wanted to sit in the backseat. That I wasn’t ready to sit in the passenger seat just yet. I remember getting Wonder Woman comics and a chapter book about a girl in middle school that had a crush on a boy but didn’t know how to tell him. Afterwards, my mom took me out for ice cream. Cookies and cream had never tasted sweeter.

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You let your hair become its own thing, you reach for chapstick instead of lip gloss and instead you decide to wake up early to study one last time for the human anatomy exam that’s right before lunch. The best part is, you didn’t even know that the person that would walk you to class every single day would turn out to be your best friend, your partner, and 7 years later, your husband. College was a beast of its own. At 19, I shed the old me and spent long nights reading about how our bodies are ever changing. How atoms form into complex organisms and how those organisms break down into atoms again once they’ve completed their time on Earth. I memorized the Krebs Cycle each semester, handwrote thousands of flashcards and notes. It’s hard to believe that I went from being a student in high school that barely passed her classes and invested time in people that didn’t care for her, to becoming a straight A honors student that taught sexual health education and programming to others on campus. I still remember how painful it was for me these past few years. From the friendship breakups, to getting rejected from medical school twice. I spent all of college thinking I would become a gynecologist and when it didn’t happen I thought my world was ending. That all my hard work, my purpose, my life would amount to nothing. I still can’t believe that I just woke up one day and suddenly stopped being sad about it. After a few months I applied to Georgetown University for my Master’s in Healthcare Administration. I still remember the day I got my acceptance letter, how I ran to my parents thinking about how 15-year-old me would see how far I’ve come. Thinking about how all those Sunday mornings ago, I was just a 10year-old girl entering womanhood. Now, I live in Dallas in a sky-rise apartment with Gavin and my kitten, Mowgli. I love our family. Every day I express my gratitude. I enjoy the company I work for and the people I get to work with.

I love the life I’ve created for myself. I wake up every morning and tell myself that I must celebrate the fact that I made it to today. All the joy, hurt, struggle, waiting, and love brought me here. I have no regrets from my journey. I see myself being happy in the future. Finding happiness through my career in helping others and continuing to explore my creative side through content creation and other art forms. My vision is clear; finding joy in the simpler things. Sometimes doing the act of nothing has sweetness to it. Taking the time to tune in to what’s important to me is one of my favorite things to do and will continue to be as I grow older. I can imagine my family and I living in a home that is filled with sunlight, comfort and has a faint smell of the ocean. I see myself waking up early every morning and feeling the sand melt underneath my toes as I watch the sun rise and begin a new day of a beautiful life that is mine. It’s easy to be hard on ourselves when we’re surrounded by such great examples of excellence and inspiration. Use your feminine force to drive the change that is needed in the world, even if you have to move silently…keep moving. Remember two things: There will always be a person that turns their head to see you when you walk into a room, so be sure to keep that person close. There will also always be a person that you turn your head to whenever they enter a room, so be sure to keep that person closer.

“Be delicate, yet potent.”

Love,

Ma nG i

Dream Style

Dear Sabina, I find it hard to believe that by 7 years old, you would have already experienced hunger, homelessness and domestic violence. But you pushed through. You gave life another chance and you have been able to experience many beautiful things. You have been able to travel to many states, two countries and have had the honor to stay with the Hopi Tribe in Arizona. These experiences led you to become curious about the different cultures there are in the world. You decided to become a cultural anthropologist. You envision yourself having all of the time in the world to travel and immerse yourself in different communities. You want to help those communities in need, but you also want to be financially stable. Keep going. You have been successful thus far. You have healed and grown. Continue listening to your body and soul.

iab na S

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L O V E

Well, let me tell you that today you finally own that beautiful spacious loft you’ve always wanted. You have the car of your dreams. You are more than just financially stable. You are able to give to those in need and can personally travel to their communities to help. You don’t work as a secretary anymore and you do not live paycheck to paycheck. You have an amazing partner who loves you and supports you in all you do. The family that you care so much for, no longer needs to take more loans and work their life away. They are happy, relaxed and are finally living instead of just surviving. Continue to be the kind of person you needed when you did not have a home or food.

"Always keep an open heart and mind to the many opportunities that come your way.. You never know what beautiful experiences they can bring you"

Dream Style

Dear Kylie, The future I envision will have myself living in a home perfect for my family with a loving husband and a few children. Having the ability to travel from continent to continent in my free time and try new beauty practices around the world. A few goals of mine include visiting Paris and South Korea. I also would love to open up my own beauty spa. I want to provide multiple services to those who want to feel beautiful. Whether it’s naturally or with the help of makeup.

“God’s timing is always perfect. Trust his delays. He’s got you.” -Tony Evans

Can you imagine that at 20-years-old you would have graduated beauty school and begun your path towards becoming a makeup artist?

love

Since you were little you’ve played with your mom’s makeup, practicing with blue eyeshadow and white eyeliner. Which later grew into a passion for painting and exploring art. Getting to paint things and copy an image helped you in improving your makeup skills. Which led you to attending Aveda Institute to study Esthetics after high school. The institute taught you ways to help the skin become healthy in natural ways before applying makeup. Even if you chose not to visit a formal college you strived for a career that you enjoyed. You’ve also had the opportunity to learn how to interact with those of similar passions and make some amazing new friends. Our grandma taught us timing isn’t everything as long as you’re working towards your goal. Which was easy to hold onto in times of pressure, to focus on the now instead of stressing over the future.

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e i l Ky Dream Style

Dear Sohela, I will also be a successful Physician’s Assistant who spends her free time traveling the world to gain a comprehensive understanding of global cultures. I will keep track of every country I visit on a black and gold foil scratchoff map my younger sister gifted to me. In addition, I will live in New York for at least two years while in my twenties to experience life in the Big Apple.

Can you imagine that at 8 years old you thought you were a robot? Well, not an actual robot. “Robot” was a term used to describe how you always felt the need to be absolutely perfect. Striving to achieve perfectionism is okay in theory, but in practice it can take over as an unhealthy, unattainable lifestyle. The perception that you couldn’t do anything unless you could do it flawlessly almost stopped you from discovering two great passions of your youth: dance and volleyball. Luckily, with the help of your family, you were able to overcome this obtrusive mindset and accept the idea that you are not, in fact, a robot. Over time you became more okay with not always coming in First Place and this allowed you to push yourself beyond your perceived limits and explore new horizons. You were less afraid to put yourself out there, no longer daunted by the idea of failure. You used this newfound power to eventually become Co-Captain of both your dance team and volleyball team, proving to yourself that imperfection was not the enemy and it is actually an integral part of the human experience. I envision that my paradigm shift will continue to provide me with more opportunities in the future, allowing me to achieve my many varied aspirations. I dream of being an accomplished model, actress and makeup artist. As well as a positive influence in the media for young IndianAmerican girls who deserve to see themselves be represented in the industry and appreciated for their beauty and diversity.

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Eventually, I hope to settle down and have a family of my own, with plenty of pets since I am an animal lover. I foresee that my adventurous spirit will consistently keep me on the move, but I know I will always find a home in Los Angeles. Throughout my life I will surround myself with friends and family who act as positive influences, inspiring and guiding me to continuously evolve into the best version of myself.

In my various life ambitions, I hope to gain a plethora of diverse experiences that contribute to my well-roundedness as an individual so I can be a force for good in the world. I encourage all who are serious about pursuing their dreams to never give up because of the immobilizing fear that they won’t be a “perfect” fit. Trust me, you’re not a robot.

“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light” -Albus Dumbledore

love

a l e h o S

Dream Style

Dear Kianna, Now for your future, your life is beautiful! You bought your dream loft in NYC that you use for a rental property when you are away. You are married with 4 beautiful children in your dream home in Florida, with an amazing backyard and not to mention a pool to die for! You now have two nonprofit businesses one for single moms and single dads trying to get on their feet in this society. You and your family take 3 trips out of the country and your children get to experience everything that you did not at that age. You’re also a motivational speaker for adolescent girls to help them stay on the right path, because this life thing is not easy, but you’re that support system for them. You have truly made a lot of people proud, but most importantly yourself!

Can you imagine being a Mother to an almost two-year-old? I remember at the age of three you wanting to be a “baby doctor” and every time someone would ask, that was your answer! I remember it being the cutest thing to other individuals hearing a baby say that. Growing up that path changed for many different reasons, maybe peer pressure, maybe not believing in yourself and or even thinking you were not smart enough to do such a thing. You went off to college still confused and I believe you lost yourself in the process. You honestly started going down the wrong path and truly did not know how to get back on the right track but having your son really pushed you to have that drive to WANT to do more! You have become such a strong woman! You went off to college still confused and I believe you lost yourself in the process. You honestly started going down the wrong path and truly did not know how to get back on the right track but having your son really pushed you to have that drive to WANT to do more! You have become such a strong woman! You got on your two feet and provided a home for you and your baby doing so much better than the people around you.

When you know who you are everything else will fall in place

Kiann

L O V E

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Dream Style

Dear Myrna, Would you have imagined at the age of 7, or perhaps 10, that you—a little Puerto Rican girl—would have traveled to over 27 countries by the age of 23? You now have 3 more destinations that will be added to the list before the year 2022 comes to an end. However, traveling hasn’t always been just for fun and pleasure, for example, you’ve been to Argentina and India for educational purposes. Those trips have definitely come with a lot of unexpected situations and new experiences that have helped you grow and develop into the amazing young woman you are today. One of those situations, actually a really funny one, was the lack of preparation regarding clothes for cold weather. When you signed up for the program in India they mentioned the weather was “chilly” during the months you were going to travel. Innocently you thought “chilly” weather was around the 65 degrees Fahrenheit, coming from a Caribbean island and all.

L O V E

Myrna Page 10

To your surprise the temperature didn’t go above 45 degrees. You immediately had to come up with a plan, try to find warmer clothes and overall use 4 or 5 layers of clothes while looking like a walking stuffed teddy bear. Thanks to that experience, now you not only travel with a thorough understanding of the country you will visit, but your interest in discovering more places that will challenge and help you grow as a person has increased. That situation, as insignificant, funny or little it may seem to some, has helped you throughout your career and personal life to be better prepared for any adversity that may present itself. Needless to say it was all worth it, for that trip and others alike. I mean, witnessing the Taj Mahal in India and the Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil has got to be one of the most shocking and moving things you’ve ever experienced while abroad. Your love for traveling did not come as a surprise, as you have always loved to connect with others from different cultures and backgrounds. In the future I can see myself, without a doubt, doing a whole lot of traveling while working and volunteering for different causes. I also see myself having a place to go back to and call home (perhaps someplace in Europe or South America). I envision that I will have my own NGO to favor different causes, I will write a book or two, continue my education, DEFINITELY have at least 6 dogs (all rescued), have a family of 3 or 4 kids. Most importantly I will be healthy and happy doing the things I love with the ones I love while still striving to do and be more.We must all think like Carolina Herrera when she says that the impossible does not exist for a woman, it just takes her time to achieve it.

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver” -Mahatma Gandhi

Dream Style

Networking 70%

of employees recieved their current position through networking According to Zippia.com, The Career Expert

What is Networking?

Networking is the act of making valuable connections and building relationships with people who carry the same professional goals as you do. The hope is that you both can exchange information and ideas relating to your common interest.

How to find Networking opportunities: Join INTEREST GROUPS on sites like Facebook & LinkedIn Attend CAREER FAIRS and/or WORKSHOPS with the intent on making connections Reach out to professionals within your career scape and ask them if they'd like to have a CONVERSATION OVER COFFEE or a video chat over Zoom! Informational interviews are an effective way to establish a connection, while also learning more about your field through a primary source

FollowUp & Follow Through Exchange contact information with everyone you network with and touch base with them from time-to-time; make it known that they are a valuable connection to you. You want to be remembered, so that if any opportunities arise (job openings, etc.), you are the first person they think of and approach. Once that bond is made, they'll introduce you to others, broadening the web of your professional network.

Dear Amber, You sell your first house and move back home to New Orleans with your family, after being away for over 15 years, to finally reconnect to your beloved city and explore all the magic it has to offer. You value building deep intimate connections with the people you meet and love to capture the essence of every moment through your film photography.

I will live in the house of my dreams tucked in the hills of sunny southern California with a loving partner and start a beautiful family. I will continue to explore the art of expression and practice my photography, capturing life’s beautiful moments and people everywhere I go. I will be financially stable, physically healthy, emotionally sound and spiritually whole.

In the future, I will travel to Europe for the first time and move to Spain to immerse myself in a new vibrant culture and finally learn fluent Spanish. I will return to the United States to open my own women’s health center to help create a safe space for women to receive the care they need, while also educating and empowering them about their health and wellness.

You are more than capable of achieving the life that you envision for yourself. If you truly want something, it’s yours. Never be afraid to ask the universe for what you need, it will always deliver. Continue to listen and pour into your mind, body and soul. The best is yet to come.

Can you imagine that at 10 years old, your entire life, as you knew it, would be prematurely ripped up from underneath you by a hurricane?

L O V E

Forced to leave behind your favorite gymnastics coach, the 5th grade cheerleading team you were finally old enough join, your two kitties, your best friend, your family and your childhood home. That you would make new friends, shed MANY tears, build new dreams and experience your first taste of real grief in a new unfamiliar city. But you did it and you found your NEW normal.

Your grief would morph into a joy and self-love unimaginable. That unfamiliar city would forever be your second home. Your natural love for connecting with people and the wonders of science lead you into the world of public health. You become a researcher, passionate about health equity, women’s reproductive health and justice. Your drive to learn new things and cultivate new talents brings you back to school for UX Design, giving you an outlet to express your inner artist in your professional career.

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e bm

Despite your strong fears and doubts, you’d go on to cultivate a loving circle of friends so strong, they became your family. Your tears would turn into smiles full of excitement toward the countless adventures you’ll take traveling to new places. Your dreams would materialize into incredible achievement: a winning athletic career, two professional academic degrees, a passionate talent for artistic expression.

“If it is meant for me, I can never lose it.” – Maryam Hasnaa

Dream Style

Dear Aggy, Can you imagine at 13 you would have gained a multitude of bittersweet experiences that would end up teaching you how worthy you are? That you would understand that listening to every opinion and losing faith in yourself is a big no-no? Stopping to try for external validation would not be a priority for too long. You dreamt about being a star when people said it was impossible just to realize now that anything is possible. They asked you to speak less, be softtoned, never break the rules, always put up a good girl face and always listen to your elders whether they were right or wrong. Well, you’re understating that you have better things to focus on. Conducting shows with choreography, songs and skits with family and friends as your audience gave you the greatest pleasure but also a label that stated: “you have no future”. When you were told that you were investing time in “noneducational activities”, you gradually stopped from the fear of being reprimanded. If only you had realized then that the future is determined by consistency in your actions and not actions alone, you would have done anything in your power to commence again, wouldn’t you? Because you are doing it now. At first, your experiences lead you to think of yourself as a victim and that you will never get to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Until you learn they're making you stronger than ever. Living independently on your own terms, showing up for yourself, working hard, earning a living and paying your own bills can restore a lot confidence within yourself.

love

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y g g

You wouldn’t be here if you had stayed locked up in your favorite room within your comfort zone, depressed, surrounded by vacantness, avoiding encounters with the world, with only daydreams or futile thoughts overflowing in your mind and flooding your space.You encountered people who would feel blessed to even have a roof over their head, at least one wholesome meal a day and good clothes to wear. Yet, these are the people with the most radiant smiles on their faces, grateful for life itself. You learned the hard way that everyone is damaged in someway and that it is one’s mindset that defines their livelihoods and not their situations. You have realized the biggest form of love is the one you provide to yourself first which would ultimately give you the strength to spread it to the world. You know you have a long way to go. Hence, you’ve made beautiful memories along your journey. From being an introverted teenager to having to transition into learning communication skills, critical thinking, negotiating and the list goes on. Growing up with cousins turned best friends will forever hold a place in your heart that you will call a safe haven. Having opportunities to sing at school will forever be cherished. The multiple trips to Pokhara have been golden, yet, will always be a part of your bucket list. The Mustang trip will forever remain a life experience. On Halloween of 2017, you performed your first ever flashmob at Skyloween (Halloween at Skyline College) In December of 2017, you participated in a dance show (Dancer Things), inspired by the Netflix series “Stranger Things,” where you got the opportunity to learn and perform different styles from your professor and fellow classmates. You received the chance to enact the character Will Byers originally performed by actor Noah Schnapp. This act which was put together in the form of a choreography turned out to be quite a memorable experience for you! You got to learn bits of contemporary, hip hop, freestyle and so on. You discovered your love for children and animals. You learned to cook traditional Nepali foods, make some Italian, and some Greek dinners, make boba, look after an elder and keep her health in check. You met an amazing partner with whom you went to a casino for the very first time in Reno with. Climbed a gondola overlooking lake Tahoe from the top, had your first ever experience in snow and hiked up to Yosemite by climbing up the rocks!

The journey has been a rollercoaster for you, the beds were covered with both roses as well thorns. You are taking things slow and being grateful for every glimpse and snippet in each moment. The biggest takeaway for you has been that there is no easy way to achieve success, however, the hunger to keep climbing remains intact. In the future, you will be living your dreams. You will have a master's degree in computer science and different businesses running successfully fulfilling your parents’ dreams. With multiple sources of income, you will be investing abundantly to pursue your passions like dancing, acting, singing, learning instruments, traveling, practicing a variety of martial arts and cooking. You will have a beautiful house in nature, in a peaceful setting with a lawn, park, swimming pool, activities room, and mini theater. You will drive an electric Suv, probably a black, white, or red one. You will travel around the world with your favorite people. You will add heels to your wardrobe and wear flowy casual and formal dresses to work and appointments. You will wear traditional clothes at family functions as well ass, some sequin, bodycon and cami dresses during night outs. You will have a family with children of your own, adopted children and pets. You will have acquired a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences and Graphic Design. You will have founded non-profit organizations for children to provide love, support and guidance. The focus of your institution will be to uplift children’s mental health and development. You will inspire positivity and happiness to bring about smiles on people’s faces!

“Be who you needed when you were younger.” -Ayesha Siddiqui”

Dream Style

Dear Raven, Being the only Black woman in a classroom full of unfamiliarity discouraged my confidence and would affect my performance in group settings. Ultimately, the lack of diversity and discrimination was stressful, it made me feel unqualified amongst peers. This experience truly helped me understand my future goals and the certain challenges that minority cultures endure while finding their purpose and passion in the world.

Can you imagine that at 4 years old you would have your whole world turned upside down? You are not a normal girl, you are very rare and ferocious. You will overcome many challenges in your life beginning with abandonment from your parents divorce. You will have to overcome statistics in teen pregnancy and live to create a dynamic legacy to forever change your family history. Becoming a first-generation graduate will be the ultimate challenge, after this nothing will be the same. Did you know you would become a positive influence amongst all your peers in school? Fast forwarding to high school graduation, you are an honors graduate and you have respectively reigned as Miss Westside High school. As a title holder you have the chance to publicly speak in the class of 2019’s graduation commencement and leave the audience with an inspirational message. You are becoming a deep well of resilience, capability and will test your true personal strengths. Did you realize that you’ve embarked on a profound EXPLORATION of what it means to chase your dreams? I have had the honor of being able to attend 4 colleges. From each institution throughout years, I’ve gained life changing experiences in every season. My first and most profound experience was becoming a culturally aware minority. Being in a new environment teaches you a great deal about yourself but even more so about those around you.

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L O V E

Experiencing the shock of different cultures taught me the value of diversity which I now look for in my professional development. As a result, this grants me a unique opportunity to become a pioneer and increase representation inside healthcare. I will motivate others to be determined in the face of institutional adversity and to never deter from your dreams. I envision that in the future I will live even more abundantly. I will go on to become a passionate c-suite executive creating innovative solutions and investing into communities. I will change the world and become a leading voice in the industry. I will own a lush beach house and host extravagant parties. I will get married in Greece and will sail in the clear blue waters and through golden sand. I will live life with intention and influence generations x, y and z to live righteously.

"Whatever you believe about yourself on the inside, will manifest on the outside"

Raven Dream Style

Dear Nisa,

Can you imagine that at the age of 20, you would be so successful? Growing up, you saw life and how unpredictable it can be at times, however you never imagined yourself as someone who inspires others to challenge themselves and move towards what they believe in. You will always remember your mother and the great role she played in your life. You always remember her in your every accomplishment, as you would not be here if it wasn’t for her. Despite your strong fears and doubts, you’d go on to cultivate a loving circle of friends so strong, they became your family. Your tears would turn into smiles full of excitement toward the countless adventures you’ll take traveling to new places. Your dreams would materialize into incredible achievement: a winning athletic career, two professional academic degrees, a passionate talent for artistic expression. Your grief would morph into a joy and self-love unimaginable. That unfamiliar city would forever be your second home. Your natural love for connecting with people and the wonders of science lead you into the world of public health. You become a researcher, passionate about health equity, women’s reproductive health and justice. Your drive to learn new things and cultivate new talents brings you back to school for UX Design, giving you an outlet to express your inner artist in your professional career.

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You sell your first house and move back home to New Orleans with your family, after being away for over 15 years, to finally reconnect to your beloved city and explore all the magic it has to offer. You value building deep intimate connections with the people you meet and love to capture the essence of every moment through your film photography.

a s i N

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." – ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

L O V E Dream Style

Dear Kaylen,

Senior Designer of DreamStyle Magazine (Vol. 1)

If I told you that after your first year of college you would live in London for a month, alone, would you believe it? In your 22 years of life, you’ve accomplished more than 11-year-old Kaylen could have ever imagined. Especially more than 6-year-oldKaylen, who moved out of Miami, to a new city where she knew no one. Blessed opportunity, after blessed opportunity, your life continues to pan out in extraordinary ways. After completing two full semesters at USF in Tampa, your heart was set on taking classes in Europe for the Summer. You visited a Study Abroad fair on a whim one random afternoon, and before the day ended, you were signed up to spend a month in London, England… one of your dream destinations. On June 20th, you were on a plane to the UK.

n e l y aK

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It was an eight-hour flight and your first time flying solo. Of course, fear is only natural in such a situation, but it quickly dissipated the further you inched toward your gate. Looking around the airport, you noticed that everyone was focused on themselves. No one was staring at you or judging you. With such a juvenile realization, you were no longer anxious. The liberty you felt in that moment prepared you for the precious month ahead of you. Now that you've conquered such an advantageous journey, it’s only made you eager to travel more.

L O V E

The most rewarding part of your entire trip, was the newfound independence you left with. You arrived in London lost, naïve, and timid. But you flew home a brave, confident, and experienced woman. Who knew so much growth could be achieved in such a short amount of time?

I hope you visit countries in Europe, Asia and even South America. I hope you enjoy unique delicacies, walk strange roads in vibrant cities, have spontaneous picnics in scenic countrysides —both alone and surrounded by loved ones. But most of all, I pray that you slay each and every one of your fears, embracing every opportunity that comes your way. Study Abroad is only one achievement nicked off of our list of goals and aspirations. There is still so much left to conquer! And remember, everything happens for a reason! If I hadn’t pursued certain academic ventures, I would have never attended that Study Abroad fair, and I wouldn't have met the wonderful professors who encouraged me to join their trip. And In London, if I hadn’t made the effort to crawl out of my comfort zone, my experience wouldn't have been half as fulfilling.

As cliché as it may sound, London is the place where you found yourself, where you conquered your fears and learned that you actually love sitting alone in a quiet park, in the middle of a bustling city. That you could be miles, even oceans away from your family, and still be okay. You learned how to live like a local, enjoy new sites, and explore. You made friends, tried new things, unashamedly thriving all the while. Therefore, in the future, I hope you are finally a published author, privileged enough to call the world your office.

Dream Style

Dear Danielle, I never thought that by the age of 13 I would be such a worldly individual who’s capable of deep comprehension of other cultures and ways of life. When I was in 6th grade driving home from school one day my mother asked me if I would want to move to India. At that time, I didn’t have any friends in school and was tired of seeing/doing the same thing every single day. That’s why in the most enthusiastic voice I could muster I replied to my mom “YES!” I remember time seeming to pass very slowly in the couple months leading up to our move. When the time finally came you could not get me on the plane fast enough. I was over the moon excited to get away from where I was and live in a place that doesn’t really have seasons. However, when I finally arrived and got off the plane, I was shocked. Everything in India was different, the smells, the people and the overall way of life. Even school life was vastly different, I thought moving to a new place would allow myself to make friends much easier. Much to my dismay that was not the case, if anything it made making friends that much more difficult. I can honestly say that for the first year or so I definitely experienced a culture shock. Did you know that in India trying to get cow meat is almost like trying to buy illegal substances? Since cows are considered holy in India trying to get beef for a simple hamburger is no small task.

(Vol. 1)

My mother used to meet up with a Marriot employee in an alley beside the hotel in order to exchange the meat for money, I know it sounds crazy but it was even crazier watching the transaction go down in person.

Needless to say, I was yearning for home. I missed burgers, I missed my old home, I missed my old school and I missed my family. As time passed I began to adjust bit by bit to my new home. I began to appreciate all the rich culture and beauty India had to offer. Whether it was Diwali and seeing the streets filled with color or a Ganesha parade with hundreds of people in the streets celebrating and dancing. Instead of focusing on how different India was to America, I began to focus on all the positives India and Indian culture had to offer. I also got to see so much of Asia. I was able to visit China, Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai and so many other countries. My mind and the way I view the world expanded and without that experience I do not think I would be so accepting towards people, places or things in general that are so vastly different from what I know. My mind and the way I view the world expanded and without that experience I do not think I would be so accepting towards people, places or things in general that are so vastly different from what I know. In fact, it helped shape me into the person that I am today. Now, I welcome and even encourage differences/change and I love being around unique people and having unique experiences.

With love

lle

e i n a D Page 17

Senior Editor of DreamStyle Magazine

In my future I envision having a lavish yet somewhat simple future for myself. I have always wanted to live in a huge home. However, these days I would rather live in a smaller sized home with an expensive interior such as, granite countertops, an island in my kitchen, a kingsized bed, a walk-in closet and a bathroom that has a shower and bath separately. I imagine sharing this space with a loving Fiancé, a German Shepperd and a Ragdoll Cat. I also imagine traveling and see parts of the world I’ve never seen before with my significant other. I want to grow my own food and live off the land while simultaneously living in my lavish home. In order to sustain my lifestyle, I’ll be a Content Creator who makes well over six figures a year and become a millionaire by age 40. Self-love is the key to success. My piece of advice would be that if you want to figure out what you’re doing on this floating ball in space the best first place to start is loving yourself, whether that be taking yourself on dates or pushing off a chore until the next day so that you can relax or even just watching the way in which you speak to yourself. At the end of the day you know what’s best for you, no one else. Trust yourself and your instincts but above all be kind to yourself, we’re all human.

The way you treat yourself teaches others how to treat you”

Dream Style

Dear Autumn, You do research on a daily basis to further understand, develop, implement and manage health education and promotion programs. The continued research you did every day, only made you yearn to help more people. You find yourself up late and full of energy because all of the journals, papers and research that has you lit up and ready to go. I envision that in the future you will live a very lavish and lovely lifestyle. You will be the embodiment of “health is wealth.” You will be living somewhere warm where you’ll be able to stretch out on your deck or balcony for a majority of your days. Given that your work will be mainly remote, you will have a supplemental balance of work and lifestyle.

Would you imagine that you are a Health Communications Specialist? Trust me, we were very anxious about it and then soon realized that sticking with it was one of the best decisions of our professional life. First and foremost, let’s scale back to when you were actually around the age of 7. You and those purple frames of yours would be looking and talking to everybody around you mindlessly about how you wanted to become a lawyer or a doctor but in reality, you and those purple frames knew that you didn’t want to be either of those. You only said those things because you heard everyone else talk about them. You weren't listening to your heart. Thinking ahead, can you recall all those moments where in your body you felt whole and full when helping others? That was your heart letting you know how you truly felt. Whether it was in school, at home or even in public, you never shied away from an opportunity to help others. Well guess what? You finally listened and followed your heart. In the present day, you and your black frames are working for a health department that enlisted you to help others by creating education and promotion materials that influence/encourage healthy thinking and actions across the masses.

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You will be able to indulge in all of those experiences you have always dreamed of such as hiking through canyons, skydiving and yacht rides on the bluest of waters. Even those daydreams of sun bathing in the sun on the most beautiful of beaches have come to pass. You will call many places home as you travel but your main home will be in the South of the United States.

You will build your home in a way where you are able to fully express yourself both creatively and authentically. You plan to build multiple avenues of passive income as well. This includes digital products, real estate and many other solo and family businesses. Appreciate where you are, what you are doing and who is with you. Instead of being caught up in the past and worrying about what will happen in the future, try to remember to savor each present moment while you’re still in it.

“Your life is not about it going as you planned. But how you adapt, change and grow when it doesn’t”

All my love

u t u A

Can you imagine that at 7 years old you would have accomplished so much and been given the plethora of opportunities and advancements that I have now at 22 years old?

Your home will be built from the direction of your blueprints that you had been drafting for years. You are going to have that multi-room den that you've always talked about. You are going to have that game room with all of the consoles in it, the studio where you record your music and even a section for photography.

Dream Style

Dear Miracle, Oh yeah, you know that spacious two story townhouse in a family-oriented and dog friendly neighborhood you always wanted? It’s yours. The view of the bright Carolina blue sky during the day and the star-filled moonlit sky at night that comes with it is indescribable.

Who would’ve thought that at such a young age, you experienced what most wouldn’t ideally experience until their teenage years or later: grief, emotional trauma, a yearning desire to just safely belong in this world, the list could go on. These things affected you, but you never allowed them to define you. You persevered through it all no matter how difficult or lonely it felt. There would be times where you would intentionally place yourself in uncomfortable situations just to force yourself to grow even more into the woman you were called to be. Doesn’t even sound like you, does it? Trust me, none of it was easy. You had to trust yourself and be confident in your decisions while hearing differing opinions. But you did so with no regrets. You learned to use your God given voice and talents to create the life you’ve always envisioned for yourself while also helping and uplifting others in the process. You no longer surround yourself with things that don’t serve you or your goals in life. That includes friends, family, habits and jobs. I know you look for more meaning in life and especially in your work. It can be challenging to find that in a job that isn’t draining but also provides financial security. Can you believe that you were able to finally find a career that gives you autonomy, a sense of purpose, opportunities to grow, schedule flexibility AND financial stability beyond your wildest dreams!?

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You eventually get over your fear of flying (it took a lot of self-talk and some really good wine) and get the chance to travel around America. You also visited other countries to experience the many different cultures and cuisines this beautiful world has to offer, and yes, you’re still a foodie so of course the cuisine part is what’s been most exciting about traveling. Italy, Greece, Mexico, India and Ghana are just a few of the many places you’re going to love. To top it off, you get to experience all of these wonderful new things with the man of your dreams. That’s right, he DOES exist!

L O V E

Your family has been healed of the silent pain and trauma that was birthed from many generations before. So much so that we were able to create a family business that not only helps other families within the community but also provides a small token of generational wealth for the future generations of our family. I say all this to show that every step in your journey is worth it whether you see it now or not. You’re not behind or less than. You’re right where you need to be. As hard as it may be, trust God and trust the process. It does get better. You don't have to change to find your place in this world. The right ones will love you the way you are. You’ll change lives and do great things just by being who you are. Stand firm in your beliefs, live your life authentically for you and it’s ok to be afraid, just do it anyway.

"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly" - Langston Hughes

ai r

cle

It’s a match made in heaven! Every day, you feel fulfilled knowing that through your work, people have hope and faith in life again. Your anxious thoughts of living too much in the future are at a minimum. Your mind is finally at peace with savoring the present moment without feeling guilty.

Dream Style

Work-life Set a routine

This is where time-management and consistency come into play! To successfully achieve a balanced schedule, you'll need to take pen to calendar, organize your days, and STICK TO IT! Don't leave tomorrow up to chance... and don't forget to sprinkle in fun activities every now and then.

Spend time w/ others Work, sleep, eat, repeat: The mundane cycle most people endure without any company to balance out such a tiresome load. Life gets lonley when you have no one to spend your off-time with. Prioritize spending time with friends and family who can help keep your mind off of busy wordays!

Exercise Regularly Get your body moving! Whether it's a walk around your city, a trip to the gym, or a fun Zumba class; ALL exercise is good exercise. Adding any portion of fitness to your regular routine is an excellent way to release any pent-up energy and stress!

Make Time for Self-Care

Show yourself some love, and prioritize "Me-Time" throuhgout the week. YOU are deserving of spa days, quiet time, a mom's night out , or even a simple dinner to center yourself after work. Self-care impacts both your physical and mental health... so don't be afraid to be selfish!

Go on an adventure

When you're not working, resting, or exercising, HAVE FUN! Jump out of your comfort zone as often as you can, and embark on fun adventures. Life is short, the last thing you want to do is spend it all sitting in an office in front of a computer screen. Get out there and make unforgettable memories!

Prioritize Rest

Self-care weekends, a girl's night out, work, even that weekly gym class you go to: NONE of it is plausible without rest! When we sleep, our bodies work to support healthy brain function, our overall growth and development. To fight rest is to neglect your health and risk poor performance. There are some things a strong cup of coffee can't fix... grab a pillow, an eye-mask, and SLEEP!

Dear Maitri,

Saying that seems shocking because who would get held back in primary school, where you do nothing but learn numbers, color and read simple books? To you, it was extremely nerve-racking and scary. You thought you were doing very well, but clearly not to the teacher. One sunny morning, when you arrived at school, little Maitri was happily walking to class until you were stopped by a teacher, who had been waiting for you at the entrance. She took you to a different building and told young Maitri this was your new class. Innocent you stood there very confused because you never knew or even understood why this had happened. It just never made sense to you. You were now being taught at a grade below the previous one (K-5). Instead of reading books, you were learning to pronounce words you already knew how to properly say.

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Your kindness gave back to you in ways you never dreamed of. You have been blessed in so many ways and it is safe to say, your hard work paid off. Being hard on yourself during high school, especially the 11th and 12th grade has brought you to where you are now. You are finally right on track and surprisingly will even be graduating college early!

After all the bullying and mean words hurled at you from the kids at the Christian school, you now knew to treat everyone equally and fairly at your new high school because you never know what someone else is going through.

I envision that in the future, I will marry my high school sweetheart a couple years after I finish my master’s program. We will have a huge house somewhere in Georgia in a nice, boujee neighborhood with 2 or 3 kids (no more than 3) overlooking a beautiful lake. I will be working at one of my dream jobs, healthcare administrator or CDC. I will possibly have a dog or two if I am fully healed from the loss of my childhood puppy (Elena) in 2022. As always, I will be giving back to the community and trying to help everyone as much as I am able.

This kindness of yours was always there. You always aspire to help those who are struggling, as you want them to succeed as well. Even until this day, you put others before yourself (even though you know this can be very risky, but it breaks your heart seeing someone in a bad position). You now know almost 4 languages (Gujarati, English, a little bit of Hindi and Spanish). Look how far you have come from your childhood experience. I cannot be prouder of you.

L O V E

“The future depends on what you do today" – Mahatma Gandhi

i a M

tri

Can you imagine that at 5 years old you would have been held back in kindergarten for not “knowing” English because Gujarati was your first language?

Nonetheless, you continued your school year very quiet, still trying to figure out why this had happened to you and not anyone else. You really thought you were a normal student just like everyone else, even though you were one of the FEW Asian students at a Christian school. But in the end, everything happens for a reason.

Dream Style

Dear Tahira, If life has not taught me anything else, my journey thus far is a constant reminder that life is a marathon and not a destination. Endurance, faith, work, and some sweat and tears is required to get to a level of success that I have envisioned since I was a little girl. Currently, I am in pursuit of enhancing my career path and academic portfolio while continuing to grow into the woman who I am called to be!

Do you remember when you were staring out the window in 10th grade and you began to dream of what your life would look like by the age of 25?

Always remember, as you think, so it is.

You saw money, marriage, kids, a house, 2 dogs, 2 cars, trips, vacations...25 sounded so old at 15 years old! Do you remember reaching the age of 25 and being nowhere near that goal? Instead of a well put together life, you were still in college and working full-time leaving you tired and feeling overwhelmed.

My advice to anyone reading this is, just keep swimming! Dory said it so elegantly in Finding Nemo all of those years ago and no truer words have ever been spoken. Life is not a race. Your only competition is the person you see in the mirror. Always remember to show gratitude and give thanks for all that you have achieved thus far and maintain a spirit of gratitude for the things that are to come. There truly is no rush! What is for you, has your name on it. Once you can envision your dreams, that is already half of the battle. The other 50% requires you to invest in yourself mentally, emotionally, educationally, physically, etc.

Do you remember not knowing how you would make it to the end of undergraduate and graduate school? Do you remember looking up at the stars in the sky at 11:00 pm with tears in your eyes after leaving the Georgia State University library and telling God that you couldn't do this anymore?

Do you remember how God brought you through? Do you remember all of the angels you called friends that he sent your way throughout your entire journey and after graduation those same people faded into the background and you continued to run your race?

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iah ra

L O V E

Dream Style

Dear Equaecia, Isn’t it crazy that at the age of 11 you wanted to be the first African American president of the United States? Then you received your first piece of technology for Christmas, an Ipod touch 4th generation. You instantly fell in love with all the apps, emojis and different settings, this caused you to ditch the idea of wanting to become president. Your curiosity led you to want to study computers when you went to college. I am proud to say that today you are a first-generation college graduate with two degrees, a bachelors in Computer Science and a masters in Cybersecurity. You also interned abroad for two months in a city you’ve always dreamed of traveling to, Paris, France. That experience molded you into a better version of you culturally, professionally and mentally. You achieved both of those accomplishments by the age of 23. You envision that in the future you will be a Cybersecurity Engineer at NSA driving your white Tesla Model X to work every day to ensure national security. You will come home to a modern 5-bedroom 2 story house that has basement with a theater, a huge kitchen with an island, a spacious living room and a shoe closet for all your sneakers.

Equaec

Don’t doubt yourself. God would not have brought you this far to fail. The road may not be easy but, with guidance and encouragement from God and those you love, you are going to accomplish more than you could ever dream of. One piece of advice I’d give someone who is serious about pursuing their dreams: You were not rejected, just redirected.

L O V E Page 23

Dream Style

Dear Barbara, In the future I’m hoping to be mentally well and happy all while being financially independent. I’m hoping to buy my dream car (A Mercedes Benz GLA 250 SUV with a black exterior and a black interior with red stitching). I also hope to travel to all my dream places such as California, Utah, Florida, Japan and of course; Paris. My obsession with shopping and the color pink will definitely never end. Every Spring and Summer I will be seen wearing a cute, flown mini dress or skirt and my nails will be done all year long. Barb, I love you with all my Heart and I am so excited to see what the future has in store for you! My advice to others is, despite all of the obstacles and rejection you will likely face, don't give up. Persist, because you will succeed.

You are now entering a whole new chapter of your life and I couldn’t be more proud of you. 10-year-old me getting bullied by her classmates is so astonished at the fact that you are now a first-generation college graduate working on her Masters. You are now putting the past behind you and starting fresh. This past year has been quite honestly the best and the most eventful. You joined an amazing, supporting sorority and not only did you find your forever friends/bridesmaids, but you found a home away from home. You love them all more than words can describe and always wondered how you were able to live life before them. You also joined Best Buddies and worked with those with both physical and intellectual disabilities; you always love putting a smile on their face and making them feel welcomed and included in society. You learned to look at the world through a whole new perspective because of them. And for that you couldn’t be more grateful.

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It’s so surreal to see the woman you’ve now become!

“Breathe Darling. This is just a chapter, not your whole story.” - S.C. Laurie

a r a ra b

L O V E

Dream Style

Dear Olivia, You dream and plan for the season of your life where you can wake up every day happily married with three kids on the California coast. You spend your days loving your family, friends and all those you encounter. You will also commit yourself to inspiring/or leading professionals to unlock their full potential. Your days are full of love, laughter, gratitude, growth, learning, inspiring and leading. If I were to give advice to someone chasing their dreams, I would first remind them that the "little things" are of great importance. Life changing achievements and redirections do not happen overnight; small, intentional, disciplined acts carried out over a period of time equate to growth and success. If industriousness and enthusiasm are the foundation of your work ethic, anything is possible. Lastly, dream as big as you possibly can... it's only crazy until you do it.

Would you believe me if I told you that 24-year-old you would have lived on both coasts, graduated college with two master’s degrees debt free, traveled around the country playing the sport you love and built relationships that will last you a lifetime? Throughout the coming years of your life, you will become someone who welcomes change, thrives at the edge of her comfort zone, prioritizes quality relationships over quantity and embraces what it means to be “becoming”. Fast forward to present day… you’ve just run a half marathon. You are motivated to constantly challenge yourself in new ways, both physically and mentally. Although you are drawn to the allure of achievement, you remain resolute in your understanding that it is not about what you accomplish but who you are that matters most. You are content with who you are, where you are, thankful for all that you have. You are constantly looking forward to your future while in full belief the best is yet to come.

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"There's power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there's grace in being willing to know and hear others" - Michelle Obama

love

iOl via Dream Style

Dear JoHannah, Can you believe that at 6 years old all you ever wanted to be was, a singer. However, things rapidly changed for you over the years? However, things rapidly changed for you over the years. You discovered many passions, gifts and talents hidden within yourself. Now, all I envision for our future consists of helping and serving people all over the world. Whether this be through creative arts, pastoral counseling, therapy and/or non-profit work. I wish to use all of the gifts and talents that God has placed within me to better help the well-being of other individuals. My younger self would be so proud of who I am today.

To all of those who are on the journey of finding their purpose. Let your life speak for itself. Allow room for your life to take it’s twists and turns because it is all a part of the process. You will eventually look back and notice that it was all worth it.

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h a n aoH

L O V E

Dream Style

Aloha Cristina, I like to think that the resilient skills you picked up in your early years gave you the courage needed to succeed in this new agency. On your 18th birthday, you got on a plane all by yourself and moved to Hawai’i for college—a place where you knew absolutely no one and had never even visited before.

The recurring theme that defined the early chapters in your life was Resiliency. Born in Kingston, Jamaica to a single mother and steadfast grandmother, you were anchored by strong matriarchal women from birth who exemplified what it meant to persevere. You first experienced heartbreak at 8 years old when you immigrated to the United States with your mother, leaving not only your home country and all that was familiar behind, but were abruptly separated from the safekeeping of your grandmother. Overwhelmed with culture shock, you were triggered into survival mode. Shutting down your emotions was your defense mechanism as you maneuvered starting over from scratch in below zero Chicago winters—a complete 180 from weather beneath the Tropic of Cancer—all while trying to learn the new societal norms that were expected of you in American culture. You experienced what it was like to attend nine different schools over your lifetime, at one-point enrolling in a new school every semester. While this may not have been the most ideal situation for a child during their developmental years, you learned how to masterfully make new friends quickly and easily, while balancing not getting too attached for when the inevitable time came to move again. Change is the only constant, so we must embrace it, not fear it. Fast forward a couple of years, you have now evolved into your formative chapters of adaptability.

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You learned how to be completely independent and self-sufficient, but most importantly, you gained an incredible understanding, appreciation and reverence for the history and culture of Hawai’i. The core values that govern the locals of this island resonated deep within you, which is so evident through the way people speak, treat and care for one another. This “aloha spirit” was a key component in why you chose to make this place your long-term home – that and because you are an island girl at heart, ha! Your resilience and adaptability allowed you to build yourself up from scratch once again, however this time you were empowered because this chapter in your life was all your choice. You made true friendships and surrounded yourself with people who loved and accepted you as family. You also took your schooling and career seriously, going on to complete your Industrial/Organizational Psychology Master’s degree with a 3.98 GPA in 14 months, all while simultaneously working full-time from 8am – 5pm. Your takeaway from local culture was that Hawai’i is all about who you know—so you networked as best as you could to get exposure in your field of work.

Your unwavering search for Optimism during the most challenging of times is a motif woven throughout each page in your book. It is this strength paired with courage that will guide you through your prospective chapters. I envision a future for myself where I have mastered the art of balancing all the facets of my life: career, health, family, relationships and passion projects. I dream of having the professional expertise and confidence to pursue my own consulting business. I foresee myself regularly engaging in fun physical fitness activities that build community, while also learning how to cook healthy and delicious meals for myself and my family. Fostering strong relationships with those I love and maintaining those bonds will remain a priority despite how busy life gets. I aspire to dive into my creative passions, building my skillset in photography, cinematography and visual design, then integrating these skills in a way that can enhance my career and bring inspiration into my personal life. I hope to still be living somewhere warm and filled with sunshine, saturated in a vibrant culture, surrounded by nature, while traveling frequently to see my friends, family and discovering new parts of this beautiful world.

Your book of life is continuously being written, with new phases and chapters yet to be told. Can you imagine what 8-year-old Cristina would say if she got a chance to read the pages that lay ahead of her?

It is not uncommon for students to move away from home for college, however there is an entirely new level of autonomy a person must hone in on when they relocate to a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 3,000 miles away by plane from your closest family and between 3 to 6 hours apart in an entirely different time zone.

Your perspective of this time was to approach it as an opportunity to pause from your mundane workflow and to reevaluate what was most important to you. It was also during this time that you were incredibly grateful to accomplish two of your lifelong goals: buying your first home at 28 years old and moving your grandmother in to live with you—10 years after moving to Hawai’i and 20 years after immigrating to the U.S.

This paid off tenfold when you were fortunate enough to be offered a position within your company that was created for you based on your area of study and career interests. The COVID-19 pandemic was a large-scale “reset” and global lesson in adaptability.

sri tina

M A h

a l

Dream Style

Dear Crystal,

You would feel a wide range of emotions from speechless to inspired if you knew how much you would accomplish by the age of 23. Perseverance would be the definition of your character and always being able to push through in spite of obstacles or challenges that you have faced. No matter what you have gone through, you have always had the strength to get up and come back stronger. From such a small age you always wanted to be a collegiate gymnast, well you can check that off your bucket list. You are so talented in gymnastics that you received a scholarship out of state to pursue your goals and dreams. Moving 1,000 miles away, to a state you have never been to, leaving your loved ones and not knowing anyone, you took a leap of faith. Taking that leap of faith lead to one of the most key chapters in your life. You made great friends, had so many opportunities and were able to fulfill your dream to compete on a collegiate level. Freshman year you were recognized for being an athlete of the week, rookie of the week and specialist of the week.

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After the struggles that you have faced throughout your years, mental health and balance have been a focus in your life. I know that your future will be full of abundance, opportunities, happiness and taking more leaps of faith that will lead you to success. Constantly reminding yourself that you have everything within you, no matter what anyone else thinks. To spread love and positivity around the world and make a difference.

Not only did you have to balance an athlete’s life, but you also had to manage to get good grades and find the time to study when you could. Although it may have been difficult, you graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a minor in psychology. You were ready for the “real” world and what it had to offer. You found psychology to be really interesting and fascinating, and being the hard worker that you are, you landed a job in behavior therapy right out of college.

I can already see you making a difference and being the help for other people that you wish you had growing up or in difficult times. Being on this so-called journey of life, I have a piece of advice, you are your only limitations, anything that you want or dream to have, you can achieve. Be patient and have faith that everything is working out for you. Stay motivated and humble throughout the whole experience of life. And now you can finally say, that you are on the journey to find YOU.

“Every day might not be good, but there is good in every day.”

L O V E

l a t s ry

You would have never envisioned or imagined your journey in life to be what it is today.

But on the way, you did have some challenges, sophomore year you tore your achilles at a competition which mentally, physically and emotionally set you back. Or so you thought. Through many doctor visits and physical therapy, you were able to come back and compete in your favorite event senior year. What a huge accomplishment, some people do not get the opportunity or chance to come back as strong as you did.

Dream Style

Struggling with Rejection?

Rejection can be discouraging, but you must remember: YOU ARE NOT ALONE! The

average job search in the U.S. lasts about 5 months, according to national studies. And about 75% of resumes are turned away before they even reach a hiring manager.

I didn't get the job, now what?

In the aftermath of rejection, when you're reeling from the disappointment, turn lemon into lemonade. Ask the hiring managers who turned you down what it is you can improve on. Find out what factors they weighed during the decision making process. Have conversations with professionals in your desired field, career coaches, and professors; show them your resume and conduct mock interviews to prepare for future opportunities. You can even create a portfolio website to showcase your skillset.

You know what you bring to the table, chances are you just need to tweak the way in which you communicate your professional value to others!

Dear Hermela, Looking back at my life’s journey from my current age of 50 years old, it is truly interesting how it turned out. I know the 12-year-old Hermela would be incredibly proud of how far we have come and of the achievements that we have now.

I am in awe of how our career and life have changed from what you had in mind 38 years ago. You used to watch all those Hollywood movies and wanted to live in the states so badly and you eventually did but that made you miss the beautiful life that you had in your country. However, I cannot ignore the overwhelming amount of opportunities that I have found in the states, which to me personally was a huge dream come true. I remember no one would believe me when I said that I wanted to be an astronaut or something related to space. However, it’s funny how interested I became in medicine as I grew up.

O V E

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a l e erm

Regardless, I am fully satisfied with my choice because my goal in life was to be satisfied not just rich because no one is going to deny how money can help but, it is not everything and I am glad that the career that I chose brings me both. I now live in the safest and happiest place, Eritrea surrounded by all my loved ones that were originally spread-out all-over Europe. If you are an immigrant, you understand the pain of living away from your loved ones. After several years, I get to live in a place where I am surrounded by the people that love and care for me. We all gather together and celebrate all the holidays instead of Facetiming. On another note, I have finally achieved what my parents have been working so hard for and the main reason for immigrating to America. I am now a PA working in one the biggest hospitals in the country not only that but I also had the opportunity of achieving the dream of having my own orphanage with my favorite cousin in Eritrea. I cannot thank God enough for allowing me to help people in the ways that I have always dreamt of. Not only that, I now have my own family of 6 with someone that respects, appreciates and loves me. My goal in life was not to have a perfect life, instead, a happy and fulfilling life that has its own struggles that I can face with the people that truly care about me.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

Dream Style

Dear Raquel, Also, everyone is proud of you, even though you had different goals when you were 10. Life has taught us that we need to choose the right decisions for ourselves to be happy and love what we do. You need to keep believing in yourself in all that you do. You are valuable Raquel! In the future, I envision myself in a big house next to the Naples’ beach with two kids while running a retail store. I also imagine living close to my mom since these five years we have been separated and could only see each other twice a year. I see myself traveling with my family, visiting new places and meeting new people. I also see myself running marathons just as my family does!

"Stop comparing yourself, you are your own reference point"

Can you imagine that at 18 you would have moved to Tennessee all by yourself without knowing how to speak English?

But you made it! You studied and played tennis at the same time and it doesn’t end there. You became “Player of the Year” twice, isn’t it amazing what you have achieved? You were always a perfectionist and dedicated to everything you did. It was hard, I won’t lie, there were days where we missed home and days where we felt as if we didn’t belong. Nonetheless, you managed to graduate with the highest honors while being captain of the tennis team and breaking tennis records at your school.

At the age of 21 you got into a marketing program at The University of Tampa, where you fell in love with the city, even though you feared moving to a new place without knowing anyone and starting all over again, but guess what? You made so many friends that made you feel at home. Now, you are bilingual and have the whole world in front of you.

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l e u aq LO

V E

Dream Style

Dear Ciara, Fast forward to the present day where I am currently a Master of Public Health Candidate, focusing my efforts on analyzing various communities and developing programs to protect the health of the individual but also address socioeconomic factors that heavily influence community health. I plan to use my passion for population health, safety and knowledge in health informatics and analysis to assess and evaluate the social determinants of health that impact the targeted community and develop intervention methods to improve the community.

There was no way that you could have been equipped to handle the kidnapping of your father at the age of six. After 3 harrowing weeks, your father gets released and the image of him walking up to the house in tattered clothing and bruises all over has now been engraved in your mind. As the years passed, the power of an engaged community and the strength of prayer were instrumental in the healing process. Your support system helped you to overcome the austerity of the event and unleashed a deeper purpose. You channeled the traumatic experience to fuel your goal to promote and facilitate equity and safe practices in communities. In your undergraduate studies you became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and devoted efforts to community service engaging in coaching and mentorship for high schoolers, food pantry, breast cancer and AIDS awareness, to name a few. Being a part of an organization that facilitated international awareness and involvement, you developed a passion for travelling and contributing humanitarian work to different communities in need.

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I see myself traveling across continents to provide services such as, access to education (and/or educational materials), improved living conditions and establishing functioning clinics to cater to the population i.e. the integration of an HIV/AIDS clinic in regions with higher HIV cases. Seeing that my professional and personal goals overlap about healthy living, I aim to use my platform to promote healthy living practices —holistic measures that develop physical and mental health at the individual level.

a r iC a

By promoting healthy habits at the individual level, I would be able to create a personal network which would allow for a stronger sense of accountability that would be transferred to the community level. I imagine being grounded in my work with the reassurance from the communities that I have positively impacted and belief in the larger purpose that I serve—advancing public health and equity. Nothing worth having comes easy. Pursing your dreams is not a straight path journey, but you must have the drive and ambition to make your own path. There will never be the perfect time to start pursing your dream—start now! You are responsible for turning your dream into a reality; the obstacles and challenges you face can either reveal new opportunities or deter you from your path. Take control of your dream!

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it” - Aristotle

L O V E Dream Style

Dear Raevyn, Being casted as Jill in the Story of Ruby Bridges solidified your fiery passion for storytelling. Living the dreams of your adolescence is something that you will learn to appreciate after the fact. It is something your ancestors will prepare you for. Despite the ups and downs of your continuous journey, you are beginning to bring your dreams to reality forming the framework of your profound identity and timeless legacy. That’s your purpose.

Can you imagine that at the age of 20 you would have directed two short film projects and played in your first professional show as a high school senior?

As for the future, I know that it is brighter than the lights above the stage. Have you ever heard of the saying, “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans?” The complexity of life itself is exceedingly above human understanding. I have goals, desires and visual aspirations just like anyone else. But, I try to avoid constricting myself to them. I rather my plans fit around the Lord’s. As long as my life is built upon love, happiness and peace during the storms, I’ll be just fine.

“I am. And my being lets me do. And my doing lets me have.” – Georgette Norman

Attending a fine arts academy through grade school introduced you to a very competitive environment. Being surrounded by students who excelled in art forms such as acting, singing and dancing was both amazing and freakishly frightening all at the same time. Do you remember performing monologues in front of peers and instructors? Oh, how daunting the critiques would sometimes be!

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i a RaevynM

tri

The eyes of those who watched as you grazed the stage made your nerves go ballistic. (They still do) Despite the nervousness, nothing else compares to the feeling of having the audience's undivided attention. You went on to win a plethora of regional and state acting competitions including best actress in show. Although you sometimes questioned your own abilities due to comparison and insecurity, you always considered art to be your calling in life.

L O V E

Dream Style

Dear Danielle, Can you believe that when you were in the 2nd grade, one of your classmates said to you that “If it wasn’t for Abraham Lincoln, you would be her slave right now?” You weren’t even 10 years old and someone had challenged you in a way that would change your world forever. Being at a school filled with students and staff who looked nothing like you was an obstacle that you not only overcame but prevailed from and I’d say you did so beautifully and with grace. That incident on the playground shifted your way of thinking and how you carried yourself from that day forward. You knew your presence bothered those around you so you continued to do whatever was necessary to remain on top and never let them or anyone else dim your light. Thank God for the loving and supportive parents and family you were blessed with because they spoke so much life into you when the outside world did the opposite.

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You didn’t stop there. You went on to Tulane University to get your Master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. You were a part of great research that focused on the health disparities black women face in health care and so much more. I know you would be so proud to see yourself facing life’s obstacles and not letting anything slow you down. Young Danielle would be so amazed to see how cool you are now and how much you’ve accomplished.

On top of all of your academic achievements, you have a great social life. You still have the same group of friends from elementary school and you’ve met some more amazing friends along the way. Can you believe that you and your “Day 1” crew now have matching tattoos? We all live in different cities now but on every birthday and special occasion, you guys are still there, 24+ years of real friendship. You travel just about every other week, near and far, and you enjoy eating and drinking with those closest to you. Oh, I forgot to mention that just months after your 21st birthday, a pandemic occurred and life as we knew it was never the same. Of course, you and your momma still enjoy shopping all day while leaving daddy in the car. I wish I could tell you more, I wish I could say that you’re married with kids but girl, we are only 24 years old right now. We have plenty of life to live and experience, and one day, you will have it all.

l e i n a D

L O V E

Elementary school Danielle would be so proud to know that you grew up to be the first African American Valedictorian of that same school. You graduated and went to your dream college, Louisiana State University where you majored in Biology (Pre-Med) with a minor in Psychology. You joined many organizations while at LSU, not only did you join, but you were on all executive boards and were a part of real change, especially for the Black community on LSU’s campus.

One day you’ll live in that big house with your husband and children while pursuing your dream career and being the superwoman, you’ve always dreamed of being. You’re currently studying for the MCAT so you can apply to medical school and follow your dreams of becoming a doctor and being the change that you would like to see. You got it going on girl and I am so proud of who and what you are becoming.

I DON'T LIKE TO GAMBLE BUT IF THERE'S ONE THING I'M WILLING TO BET ON. IT'S MYSELF -Beyonce' Knowles Carter

Dream Style

Dear DeArta, If I told you that at the age of 16 you would have your masters and a fulltime job in the field of social work in Tampa, you probably would have laughed. At this point in your life, you had no idea where you were going and all you were worried about at the time were your friends. You were told at a young age that you would struggle throughout life due to your learning disability. At the ripe age of 5, your future was laid out for you before you were ever able to picture what you wanted it to look like for yourself. This led to years of a lack of confidence in yourself and several years of feeling lost. I remember when you left the only place you had ever known for 13 years of your life and went off to college with a new group of people. This was the most overwhelming experience you had ever been through. Although you were still in your hometown it was a different environment and you worried about adapting but, I think you did well.

L O V E

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a t r eA

Your college years were great and attaining your degree from the University of Florida was a dream you accomplished but, you had been in the same place for your whole life and you needed a change. You made the rash decision to continue with school to attain your master’s degree and instead of doing an online program you aimed for an in-person program. You got into the University of South Florida MSW program and made the move that most people from where you were would never have done. I currently live in Tampa, in a house with two other girls from my cohort in graduate school. I feel content with where I am in life now and enjoy what I do. I am happy that I had the opportunity to move away from my hometown and experience life outside of that small town. I am happy that I have been able to gain my independence and find myself in ways that I could never have imagined. However, I know that there is more for me out there! I don’t know where I will be in the future. Maybe I’ll finally travel the world like I’ve always dreamed or maybe I will be married with kids. At the moment I envision myself excelling in my current field of work and providing support to families through hospice social work. Will I even be doing hospice social work 10 years from now? Regardless of where I end up in the future I hope that I am healthy and happy.

“She believed she could, so she did!”

Dream Style

Dear Hana, Can you imagine that at 24 you would be going on a girl’s trip to Mexico? Ababi and Mami wouldn’t even let you go to the grocery store without holding your hand first. Imagine stepping foot in a country you have never been to with a group of friends or zip lining – how about plunging into a lake from a small cliff? Remember the days spent daydreaming about the first job or the jokes everyone would make about how you would probably spend your paycheck all on candy?

But you thought about your future a lot, didn’t you? You would watch Mami cook, drive places without getting lost and take care of you when you got sick; you worried about how you would be able learn everything she knew one day. Although I don't think anyone could possibly know as much as Mami does, you have a lot of things figured out. In less than six months, I will be graduating with my Masters in Public Health. School was tough in the beginning but it got easier with time and came with many lessons.

O E

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n a H

It taught me to be persistent in the things I want and that it's okay to fail sometimes. There were weeks it felt like I didn’t know how I would get through exams or papers while managing work, but I did. Above all this journey taught me that all of my hard work, even the little things no one sees, will one day pay off. My advice to anyone pursuing their dreams would be the following:It's okay to not have everything figured out; have a clear goal and direction, even if a future experience changes what that direction may look like. Remember that failure, in some form, is inevitable for anything worth pursuing in life; it is a good thing as long as you choose to learn from it. Don't be afraid to ask for help or admit when you don’t understand something; it will save you a lot of time and energy. Make sure to always take the time to celebrate the small wins, even if the small win is making your bed in the morning; prioritize yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. Most importantly don’t forget to spend time with the people that are most important to you.

“Find something you love to do so much, you can't wait for the sun to rise to do it all over again.” — Chris Gardner.

Dream Style

Dear Amanda, What if I told 16-year-old you that you have some of the best friends in the world? Yeah. You guys have been best friends for 10 years. I know, I know. You literally just found out that you’re moving for the third time in high school. But this time? This time you meet your best friends in the whole world. Yes. You have even been on a girl's trip with them almost every year since you graduated high school.

If I told you that at age 26, you would be curating the life of your dreams, surrounded by love and striving to heal, would you believe me? What if I told four-year-old you that at the age of 23 you became a middle-school Spanish teacher? I am sure you’d be shocked; I mean you’re still struggling to ask for mashed potatoes at school. But at some point, speaking Spanish became less scary, you felt more connected to your culture, you started dancing Bomba and helping others connect to an island you have always loved from afar. What if I told seven-year-old you that your mom is retiring from the Army? Yep. You heard me. I know that you’re waiting for her to come back from Iraq. I know that you feel sad, lonely and a little angry that you’re living with your aunt and cousins, without your parents. But I promise that by 26 you don’t feel so lonely anymore. I can promise that you have built a life that is consistent and stable. What if I told nine-year old you that you see your dad every year and you’ve spent several birthdays with him? The wishing well worked just a few years later. I know it is difficult going birthday after birthday and year after year without seeing him. I want you to know that every ounce of emotion that you feel is valid and ok. It is ok to be honest about how you feel, you won’t hurt anyone’s feelings. What if I told 14-year-old you that at age 26 you’re living your life—out and proud with the love of your life? Literally, the same love that you had at age 14. Yes. The one you cried about on the plane. The relationship that you were outed to your mom about. Yeah. Well. You guys live together and have for about 2 years. You found each other again in Florida, of all places. You all are about to move to Atlanta.

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What if I told 18-year-old you that you just graduated with your master's in public health? No, you didn’t go to UCF. You went to USF instead. You owned every second of that experience. It was hard, don’t get me wrong. Two jobs? But you created a sense of stability that was so strong that you feel safe now. The best part is that you and your mom are closer than ever. It took three years of being by yourself while they were in a different country. But there's an understanding that I know you NEVER thought would exist. She is your number one cheerleader. She tells you how proud she is of you. She sees you. Just wait a little longer. Just love a little harder. Just be a little more patient. But most importantly don’t give up telling people how you feel. Amanda, you have been through a lot, but every second of it has made you stronger. I wish I could hug you, tell you that it will be ok, tell you that having a good heart and caring deeply is a superpower. I wish I could wipe away every thought that made you dislike yourself. Unfortunately, I can’t. You will continue to grow, live life and strive for bigger and better things.

L o v e

a d n mA a

At the age of 26 I have done a lot. I have driven cross-country three times. I have seen the beautiful mountains of Colorado, the sunset over the Grand Canyon, and sang karaoke all around the world. I have traveled to Cuba and lived in Australia. I have met people from all over the world who continue to inspire me to see more, do more and be more. Humans. Are. Amazing. Every experience that I have ever had has shaped me into the person that I am today. I am passionate about the world around me and everyone that lives in it. As someone that has been on the other end of genuine unkindness, I have always vowed to be kind I have chosen to use my words instead of my fists. As someone who was both blessed and affected by the frequent travel of military life, I have learned how to value the beauty of the moment, but also how to take life and make it mine. I have become an advocate for change and justice and I vow the rest of my life to the cause. I vow to open up, to hold both myself and others accountable when necessary. I vow to make a difference for as many people in as many instances as possible. I envision that my future is bright. Burning with possibilities, growth, and love. My future is everything that I make it and everyone that I choose to bring into it. What is meant for me will be for me, but I have the power to forge my own path. I will live a life full of love and wonder, frequent travel and challenges that will push me to grow stronger. I envision a life where I am surrounded by people that push me. I envision a life where I can take every twist and turn life provides with grace and understanding. I welcome the challenges. I welcome the opportunities.

Dream Style

fashion DO

Model your outfit at home

Plan ahead! You never want to be late to an interview because you were too busy rummaging through your closet for appropriate interview attire. Have Options Ensure the fit isn't too tight, or too baggy The ensemble should be a reflect of you, so don't shy away from making BOLD choices!

DOn't Underdress

The last thing you want to do is show up looking like you had an interview at 3pm, and a dog park date at 4pm. Even if the company exudes a casual energy, never assume jeans and sneakers are acceptable...

DRESS TO IMPRESS! First Impressions are everything.

Pay attention to the details

If you notice something is off, it's most likely they will too! Check for any holes or loose buttons Iron out what you can When it comes to makeup, jewelry & other accessories, less is MORE

DOn't

Wear anything uncomfortable

Avoid wearing items of clothing that will cause you discomfort and distract you from the interview itself.

Dress for the job you want

Take note of the professional attire common within your desired field and dress accordingly! Be mindful of the atmosphere you are stepping into, and remember that what you choose to wear SETS THE TONE for what they can expect from you!

Say no to itchy fabric Bye, Bye to layers that will make you overheat Definitely DON'T wear a high neckline if you know you're going to be tugging it down the whole time

Dear Michelle, This would seem impossible growing up in Hawaii, but you have experienced the world in unthinkable ways over the last 5 years. It was far from smooth sailing to achieve the life you currently live, yet we have made it through due to your resilience and perseverance to carry on. Through the challenges, moments of despair and days of defeat, you continued to push through it all to get to where you are today. You were faced with an unexpected pandemic (COVID-19) during your last semester of undergrad. It took away all of your senior year college experiences you worked so hard for since year-one. However, you were admitted into an accelerated Master’s program which you completed in a year. Then, you were afforded an opportunity to move from Florida to Utah for the job offer of your dreams. At the age of 23, you accumulated two Bachelor degrees, a Master degree and various certifications to include becoming a Certified Diversity Professional. It has been amazing to watch you live out your passion for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) because this has been something you have worked for in many capacities since the age of 17. Now, you are employed by not any city, but the capitol city of Utah, where you continue to grow in your love for this work through government.

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While, this may not be a path you would have thought of, it is the place you need to be in the times we currently live in. With a demanding job such as yours, you still make time to travel 1-2x a month whether it be a quick weekend trip to another city or summer vacations out of the country.

Not only are you hard at work for your job, but your love for your sorority, Delta Sigma Theta has continued to grow as well. Nearly 5 years in and you are currently serving on the Far west regional events committee, as a college advisor for a state-wide chapter and are involved in many roles for the Alumnae chapter. At age 19, this all would have seemed impossible when you first crossed at the University of Tampa, but you have worked hard to get where you need to be. You are building community, developing a sense of belonging and impacting change for marginalized populations across the board. I am confident when I say you are doing all that you ever dreamed of and more at the age of 24. In the near future, I envision purchasing a home in Utah and even if it is not the forever home, at least I can build generational wealth. While, I still will be working and building a career for myself, I envision more traveling in my life as well. I want to see the world and all it has to offer before settling to prioritize a family. As I will focus my efforts to retire at a younger age than most, I envision myself with at least 4 children and a well-rounded significant other who is as equally-minded as I am. While, I can envision myself living with my family on the islands of Hawaii, I can also envision myself living in a few other states as well.

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Could you imagine that at 7 years old, you, a young island girl, would be traveling as a lifestyle?

However, the goal remains the same, own a large home with 7 bedrooms that is uniquely designed for me and my family. This will be one of a handful of properties that I own, but essentially the one my family and I can make a home. In this future, I see myself having my own JEDI consulting business where I can work as I please, but by this point I am financially free from any burdens of debt. I have worked hard to achieve the life I will be living and with that I do envision many family vacations and travel in general from girls’ trips to couples’ trips to baecations. Also, I envision a life where both my partner and I can be fully invested and present in our kids’ lives. My partner and I are both surrounded by both our families as well as the friendships that have remained over the years. I envision not only happiness, but joy among all areas of my life. In my free time, I will continue to serve my community in any capacity and work to mentor the younger generations. For anyone who is serious about pursuing their dreams, you must remember that perseverance is key. No dreams happen overnight and without any effort. Prioritize your goals and do not focus on your circumstances as it will only distract you from the end result. Take advantage of all opportunities that arise and use all of your downfalls as lessons to grow on your journey.

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them" - Maya Angelou

Dream Style

Dear Janet, You made friends that you stuck with for the whole internship journey and it was encouraging to see everyone supporting one another. The team you interned for helped broaden your knowledge in entertainment technology and ignited your desire even more to work in that field. That summer helped me to appreciate every opportunity and how every day can teach you a lesson if you’re willing to see and are open to receiving it.

Can you imagine that at age 6 you would be proud of the woman you’re becoming? After leaving North Carolina and moving to a new state, you would have thought it would be hard to start over. To make new friends as a shy little girl. But it wasn’t, would you believe it? In your 21 years of life, you accomplished what were merely just dreams at a younger age. Working to make those dreams become a reality allowed you to reclaim your faith in God and begin to know him for yourself. Finding your faith helped you to love yourself and see yourself through God’s perspective rather than through other people’s lenses. So many experiences that you will go through later–such as getting into a magnet high school, figuring out your major in college and relationships—helped change the way you view life as well as build your faith and community. The summer entering into your senior year of college you had the opportunity to intern at The Walt Disney, a company that you previously thought would be difficult to get hired by. I bet younger you would be so proud. I traveled to Connecticut for the very first time and spent 11 weeks there. The internship experience and being on my own for the first time outside of college was a unique experience that taught me so much. I realized how much I like to travel as I was able to go to Rhode Island and Boston for the first time as well. I learned there is so much to explore in the world and so many experiences to have. I also began doing solo activities and started to enjoy being in solitude and spending time with myself.

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I envision my future will entail traveling to many places all over the world such as Europe, Spain and Japan, either on solo trips or group trips. I will most likely have a polaroid and digital camera with me to capture moments and memories that I can look back on. I’m sure I will be wearing sundresses or a top and shorts most days where the weather is sunny. I will work as a software engineer in the entertainment tech industry where I will work within film technology or interactive media technology for a company that allows hybrid and remote flexibility.

I will move into a senior software engineer position before stepping more into the creative side of the industry, in hopes, to be a creative director. I will be married to a man who shares the same faith as me and we’ll live in a house we own and call home with our three beautiful children. After settling down somewhere I’d like to live close to my family in Maryland, but if I do not end up in the same vicinity, I will be making frequent trips over the holidays to visit. I see myself continuing my fitness journey of exercising and eating healthy while, continuing to explore hiking spots in different locations and continuing to swim so I do not forget how to. I see myself continuing going on solo adventures and spending time with friends from college in order to maintain those relationships. I see myself continuing to grow in my faith while sharing my faith with others and continuing to be a part of a church. I will keep striving to grow in all aspects of life and have the mentality to be eager to learn. I also see myself taking more risks and trying new activities. I am excited for what the future holds for me and will not be discouraged or dismayed by challenges that may arise.

“There is always light. If only we are grace enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it” -Amanda Gorman

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A piece of advice comes from a quote I heard recently from Stuart Scott, “don’t downgrade your dreams to match your reality, upgrade your faith to match your destiny.” If we don’t have the courage to stand up for our aspirations, no one will. It is easy to allow our thoughts about our dreams or even what other people say to cause us to rewrite our goals out of fear or for them to be more “realistic.” I encourage you NOT to do that! That dream was placed on your heart for a reason and to achieve all the dreams you have in life you need to develop a plan to achieve it, of course, but also believe that it will occur. For me, my faith has consistently grown out of my walk with God, with trusting Him with my plans but I also needed to believe it for myself and act as if the dream was already in my reach. Acting like the dream is yours already helps to not let your current circumstances cloud your vision in achieving your goals.

Dream Style

Dear Jada, Can you imagine that at 22 years old, you would have overcome an ankle injury limiting your ability to walk, that a black ankle specialist would tell you to quit school all together only prescribing medication for temporary fix? Or that you would have found happiness in opening yourself up to the possibility of not always having good days but making them worth learning more about yourself? The tears and the silent screams were all for a purpose you couldn’t yet see; you have realized that your dreams are big and that your scared of them. I bet you never imagined that. Can you imagine that you’re a mentor to young black/brown girls with incarcerated parents and your transitioning from living in Texas with your parents to by yourself in New Orleans. You are resilient in your pride and integrity.

I envision that in the future, I will not have the perfect cookie cutter life because where’s the fun of not having the odds stacked against you. It only prepared you for the glorious wins and the trailblazing lows. I envision will have wrote 3 books and 2 were bestsellers. I will successfully practice self-care and self-praise and will learn that I was created with a vision. Yet, visions do change but never change in vain.

L O V E

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Dream Style

Dear Katerine, Would you believe me if I told you that at the age of 15 you will start a new life? The life you envisioned in Ecuador changed when you moved to the United States to meet your mom for the first time. Living in the United Sates was very isolating because you came from a very tight community where you knew everybody. As these changes occurred you stayed consistent with your goals. Remember you loved traveling and the outdoors? Well, you had the chance to make a career where you spend most of your time in the outdoors. You also had the opportunity to travel alone to places like Costa Rica, Galápagos, Portugal, Perú and Puerto Rico.

You stayed up at nights monitoring the dark beaches. You also slept in a little cabin that was barely protecting you, but you loved every single minute of it. You became friends with people from France, Spain and Belgium, which helped you during the program. Traveling solo allowed you to truly see your strength, independence and growth. Most of all, traveling solo helped you realized that despite the downs in life you will always be enough. You are your own best friend, as corny as it may sound.

Traveling solo, getting to know these places and cultures allowed you to become independent and fearless. You have always been a resilient little girl. Even when you were 5 years old, growing up without your parents, you never let anyone stop you from your goals. That resilience helped you volunteer at a sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica. You moved to Costa Rica for the first time on your own. While at the conservation center, you helped release sea turtles and monitor their nests.

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In the future, I envision having a career that allows me to travel while working with various organizations to continue conservation efforts. I also envision myself getting my scuba diving certificate and being able to dive in Galápagos and Mexico. I also hope to get my commercial boating license. I see myself moving back to South America and starting an organization to help those in need, to share my skills and knowledge. For now, though, I will continue with traveling throughout my state and finding hiking spots in Connecticut. I will strive to find new hobbies or passions that were lost during my childhood. I will continue with my personal care journey and will spend time with my friends and family. A piece of advice: Your passions are part of who you are and what makes you unique. Don’t be afraid to follow your passions and if at any time you feel like it is challenging, ask for help. If you ever doubt your strength, think back to a time where you had the same feeling, but you overcame that situation. Remember that it takes time and you need to be patient with yourself and appreciate your small victories.

“You are not lucky to be here. The world needs your perspective. They are lucky to have you.” – Antonio Tijerino

Dream Style

Dear Shayla, You missed a total of a month and a half of senior year of high school from having to stay in the hospital or because most days it felt like your body had just given up on you. Treatment after treatment, prescription after prescription, you had to go through it all while doctors tried to wrap their brain around how to keep the symptoms at bay.

I do. I think her eyes would grow wide with admiration of the strong black leader you have become. This sense of leadership didn’t come so easily though, in fact, it was quite an obstacle course of challenges. Would you believe that at 9 years old your whole world would actually flip upside down? On April 27, 2011 we lost our Rock and foundation. Our father, Major Raymond Estelle was killed in Afghanistan. I still remember that early and gloomy morning in April when momma got the call. I awoke as she called me into her room, saddened that she now had to break the news that her daughter's number one “Big Dawg” would not be coming back from his deployment. As she told me it seemed as if the whole world stopped, the hours seemed to blur together and soon after, the days. We cried and cried in her bed, my head laying on her lap. My brother had just been born in March, now having to grow up with this forever heartache. After some period of grief, you didn’t let this stop you from becoming the woman he wanted you to be. Fast forward about 7 years, you had just started your freshman year of high school. High school is always an interesting experience, it’s a time where your brain is still developing and maturing for adulthood. It’s also when you were diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease. Simply put, this disorder is an inflammatory disease where the immune system attacks its own tissues. It can affect your joints, kidneys, brain, heart and lungs. It felt like years and years of straight pain after that.

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It wasn’t until you joined the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated that the feeling of loneliness finally drifted away. Being introduced to the Divine 9 on campus, you were able to finally see more people who looked like you in one place. Being with your sisters always felt like a safe space and you created some of the closest relationships in your life with them.

In the future I hope to graduate with my bachelors in Allied Health and be certified in Histology. On top of that, I hope to be the “top Dawg” running my own histology unit in a well-known hospital or clinic franchise. I also see myself being at peace with all the hardships I’ve been through, telling myself “you got this girl” all the way. I hope to travel the world once I have my life together physically and mentally, to just enjoy every second of it without stress of what assignment or exam will possibly be due next. Most of all, I see my health going in remission, allowing me to one day live life to the fullest without pain and challenge. One piece of advice I would give to someone who is pursuing their dreams is, to play at the best of your ability with the cards dealt to you. Your cards in life may not have been the best but with hard work you can turn that losing hand into a winning one.

“Don’t settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had. We need to live the best that’s in us.” -Angela Basset

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If you went back in time and met your 10-year-old self, do you think she would be proud and inspired by the woman you are today?

However, God shined his light and allowed your body to recover and for the first time in a while you felt better. You graduated during a pandemic and that summer you attended classes for the first semester at the University of Tampa, majoring in Allied Health with a medical science concentration. College was a whole new experience on its own and attending a pwi felt like the biggest culture shock. It felt odd being the only brown face in the whole classroom and talking with fellow classmates who had never really interacted with a person of color.

Now at 20 years old, you are the Chapter President and loving every minute of this new leadership experience. You have grown immensely, you went from a little girl who was scared to speak up to a woman who uses her voice to influence change in the community.

Dream Style

Dear Catalina, It was here where your leadership skills developed, where you began to see your true potential and come out from your shell. For you it was never just a sport, it was a way of life. Something that shaped you as you grew and developed through adolescence. Your Sensei always told you to remember Shin Gi Tai: body mind and spirt. You applied this consciousness to your training, as well as to your everyday life. No other experience had such a greater impact on you as this one. I’m glad you dedicated your time and energy to it, it was a great investment in yourself.

Would you have imagined that at 10 years old you would be enrolled at a Shito-Ryu Karate school? Not only did you start karate, but you kept at it. You tried so many other sports: basketball, ice skating, soccer and swimming. But you begged your mom to quit. You would try everything to get out of practices and classes. Karate was different. It was so much harder and intense than the other sports. You began off being unable to lift your leg above your hip. A quick lap around the small dojo would have beads of sweat forming at your forehead. By the end of class your ears would be ringing. The sound of your heavy breathing easily drowned out the noise of the next class of kids coming in. Even then you kept at it. Although there were times where you did try to evade classes and trainings, something kept drawing you back. Only later would you find out that you were developing discipline. What seemed to be just another sport your parents put you in actually turned out to be something fundamental to your character development. The heart pounding trainings taught you resilience and determination. Time and time again you proved to yourself that you were capable and could exceed your expectations. I bet you never would’ve guessed that you would go on to compete in tournaments and even be a referee for some time. Those experiences boosted your self-confidence, such an important trait since you can be so shy. Not only were you a student, but you also became a teacher. Slowly taking on more responsibilities and passing down your knowledge to the younger generation of karate students and athletes.

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This year has been full of growth and accomplishments. As a first-generation college student, you graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors and a bachelors in Neurobiology and Physiology. Things have slowly been coming together and you’ve been taking the right steps towards your goal of becoming a physician. You used your discipline to balance your school, work and personal life. From interning at a neurology clinic to interpreting for medical clinics to volunteering in the pediatric emergency room, you have been ensuring that medicine is truly the path meant for you. The extra gap year you took has truly been a blessing, even though during that time you felt like a failure. Without it you wouldn’t have had the time to do summer research. You wouldn’t have had the chance to connect with people with similar goals and interest, nor create the meaningful friendships that you now have. You wouldn’t have had the chance to build a greater bond with your mentor and transition into a fulltime position doing the research that you love. Yes, you’re busy.

But you’re also happy. You’ve learned the importance of being in a career that you enjoy and can continue to learn in. After all, learning is an immense passion of yours. Every day you learn more about yourself as you continue to grow. In the near future I envision myself being published in a research article and being accepted into medical school. After several years, I envision myself being a neurologist with family of 4. Providing not only for my kids but also for my parents. Paying them back for the sacrifices they made to move us to the United States and all the unconditional support that they offered to me during this time. I want to buy them a home near a lake since my mother has always dreamed of having a small home near a body of water. As for my home, I envision living in a large home with gorgeous stone work near or in a mountainous area. My mornings would begin off by waking up with the golden light of the sun creeping in from the cracks between the curtains and the chirping of birds. We would have a large backyard and a couple of dogs. We would be a family who would travel to national parks and go on beach trips to unwind. I would spend my free time with my family and painting. I can also envision myself volunteering my time for non-profit clinics similar to the ones I interpreted for. I want to give back to the community that was able to help my family out when my parents didn’t have health insurance. By the end of my life I would have made a significant impact in the quality of life in at least one person. I would be satisfied with the way my life turned out and how my kids have grown and reached their own goals and dreams, just as I did.

love

a n i tal Dream Style

Dear Mikayla, Can you imagine that at 22 you would finally be a more confident version of yourself? You have started to come out of your comfort zone and experience so much more in life. In the past, you let your insecurities prevent you from taking on opportunities that could have been memorable. To mask those insecurities that you had, you were quiet and shy. We have worked on our self and gotten to the point where we have overcome quietness and shyness. We no longer want to miss creating memories. I remember while in Gospel Choir at East Carolina University, our Spring Tour was approaching. I knew on this tour that we would be traveling in North Carolina, then to Atlanta, Georgia, and last stop Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

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I wanted to go on this tour so badly! The little voice in my head was talking and spilling doubts and insecurities into me. Yes, I wanted to go on this tour but who would I be able to talk to, would I have anyone to hang with, what if I am alone the entire trip…these were the same questions that prevented us from opportunities in the past. This was one of the first moments where I put my insecurities aside and decided to live in the moment. As a result, we got to make so many new memories, including performing at Jamal Bryant’s Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and DISNEY WORLD!

This is only one of the moments I have had where I put my insecurities and shyness aside and put myself in positions that were outside of my comfort zone. You worked with East Carolina’s Campus Living in a position where you would talk with numerous students on campus every day. This is a position that we would have avoided in the past. I was able to gain valuable experience from these opportunities that have flowed into other areas of my life today! Today, I am working with one of the largest hospitals in North Carolina. I enjoy my job and the people I work with. I am more involved with church. I am a greeter at church and am a part of the college ministry. I am constantly taking on tasks and accepting opportunities that are outside of my comfort zone. My insecurities are not as present as they used to be when given opportunities. I am spending more time with myself and learning what my true passions are. I envision that in the future, I will be living an adventurous and social life. I see myself living close or in a big city. I envision myself having so many close friends who I am truly myself around. I can see myself working in a fulfilling career where I will be expressing my passions. I will continue my education, researching and connecting with people who are like-minded and share similar passions that I do. I want to travel and create memories in places I have never been before. Ultimately, I will be the most confident version of myself and I will be living life to the fullest!

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” ~ Nelson Mandela

Dream Style

Dear Lauren, I will be a Brand Marketing Manager for Lauren & Chris. I will be my own boss, set my own schedule and lead a team. We will have multiple store front locations throughout the United States and the Country. I will help and provide services to businesses. I will be around resilient, motivating, successful and positive people. I will be attending influential networking events. I will give back to the community, providing resources and opportunities for families and young people.

From going through a period of time living with other people to financial hardships and struggling with your mental health. Nonetheless, you made it through it. Within the past 4 years you traveled within the states to Las Vegas, Nevada, Miami, Florida and Houston, Texas exploring the different cities. You graduated from Savannah State University and you created an online Women Boutique with your sister. You also, most importantly strengthened your relationship with God and ever since you’ve been stepping out of Faith, not fear. You have risen above everyone else's views and opinions of you. You have become self-aware, putting boundaries in place and believing in yourself. I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains this past June to zipline and view waterfalls in the forest. I was way out of my comfort zone but that experience reminded me to fear no one or no thing because there's beauty on the other side. Being able to conquer my fears during that adventure taught me to be courageous and trust in God even when I’m scared and unsure. I learnt to embrace and even welcome new experiences with open arms. I envision that in the future I will be living in a penthouse suite with my 2 children in Atlanta, Georgia, traveling around the world for personal, family and business trips while wearing Lauren & Chris garments.

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One Piece of Advice I would give someone who is serious about pursuing their dreams is to get clear on what you want out of life and put your all into it. Sacrifice temporary satisfaction for longevity. Lastly, always believe and be kind to yourself.

“A woman who celebrates the woman she is, not what threatens her success, her beauty or her wealth: she is who she is because God is in he - Sarah Jakes Roberts

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Can you imagine that at age 23 you would have made it through so many adversities?

I will purchase land and build communities in South Carolina. My children, nephews and nieces will get to explore the world and have the opportunity to do anything they want to do. I will no longer live the life that I used to, I will live a life I’ve never experienced or seen before. I will live a lavish lifestyle. I will live abundantly.

Dream Style

11:11

Trying to prove to grad school admissions that you’d be an asset to their program? Do you have a skill or business that needs further exposure?

Are you applying to jobs and need to set yourself apart from the competition?

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Dear Melissa, Do you remember that in your younger days before you turned 12, you were both bold and courageous yet also significantly lacked confidence? You were never the first person to volunteer for a challenge but once you got into one you never backed down until you won. You always stood up for what was right including sticking up for other people who couldn’t do the same for themselves. Yet on the inside you deeply felt any unkind thing that was done or said to you although you wouldn’t communicate the things that bothered you. Back then you didn’t realize it but you always persevered; continuing on despite the odds, doing the best you can. Do you remember conquering your fears for something that you loved? Like your love for the ocean and swimming, yet your fear of deep blue waters that seemingly have no end? Well, you did it you got your first dive certification!

Can you believe that you actually went off to college despite wanting to drop out of high school? At the age of 21 you would graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science and by the age of 22 you’d continue on to get an incredible first job as a Project Manager on an important environmental project in your home country, The Bahamas, that you love so dearly. You’ve worked with and led teams of incredible experts, stakeholders and volunteers both for your job but also on a voluntarily based environmental project, all at the same time. You did so much overthinking and questioning yourself internally, yet you continued to grow, accomplished so many achievements and had unlimited love and support externally. And guess what, now you’ve even attained 2 higher levels of your dive certification that allows you to dive even deeper and to face more of your fears as you always do. I mean, can you really believe it? That strong willed perseverance that you hold on reserve all the time has slowly but surely grown into a self-reassured confidence. I know it may be hard to believe but you will continue on, one foot after the other.

"It always seems impossible until it's done - Nelson Mandela

You’ll be happily married, maybe with a kid or two, but definitely with a whole bunch of cats!! You will continue to lead important causes, because despite any negative feelings about yourself your mind may make you think, you know that you have a voice and you know how to be heard. You are passionate about raising awareness and taking action while also, doing the right thing.

L O V E

Meliss

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To date, you have recently received a fully funded scholarship that has taken you across the world to Ireland to study for your Master’s degree. One day you will be a wellknown and impactful environmental and social activist, not just for your country but for the world - highlighting various issues that are near and dear to your heart. You hope to live in The Bahamas for as long as possible in a beautiful home, on an elevated plot of land with a great view of the island. However, you'll be open to options to go wherever life takes you and where you feel is in your best interest!

So... no matter what, keep going. You’ve made it incredibly far - even further than you’ve ever imagined going. You are incredibly intelligent and you can do whatever you put your mind to. You’ve always been a go with the flow kind of person and I know you’ll get to where you are meant to be at your own pace and in your own time, as you should. I’m proud of you and all that you have accomplished. I know that with your determination, perseverance and ever-growing confidence, that you will be a powerful force in whatever path you take.

Dream Style

Dear Sofia, These words circled the organizations we were a part of and the roles we held in them. So, we did what any person does and used our dear friend Google to find a major that encompassed all of this. Thus, the application of being a Communications major was born. If I am being honest, it has come with struggles despite what many may think. You will be looked down on for your degree choice (surprisingly).

Do you remember that at age three you created a game that you and your mom would play and would one day have something to do with what you want to do in the present? We would huddle closely to mom and cover both of our eyes and sweetly ask “Tu quien eres? (who are you)”. Then mom would respond in the voice of some random character and you would guess who it was. We could play this game for hours, never growing tired of guessing all the personas or coming up with our own. Looking back, it was these imaginative moments that lead us to where we are today. Sitting here today writing to you, I cannot say that I expected our life to go this way. Ever since I can remember, we have never been confident in what we wanted to pursue in life. Some days it would be a Hip-hop dancer, other days it would be a psychologist and for a brief moment in time a neurosurgeon until we realized all the science that actually goes into it. But today, I can tell you, I am confident in what we will achieve. Now you may be asking how we got here. It all started at the end of 2020 as we prepared to finish applying to universities. We told ourselves we would not apply unless we had our mind made up on what we wanted to study. Which led us to taking advice of an old friend and looking at what we were involved in and what our roles were, Public Relations, Social Media Chair, Public Affairs and Communications.

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Many will tell you your degree is worthless and ask you if you can even get a job with it. You may even get a sarcastic smile that is plastered at the end of a “wow that is so interesting!” by someone who clearly thinks lesser of your decision. There were even some days you would look down on yourself. You would compare yourself to your friends as they discuss their difficult curriculum in all their S.T.E.M. classes. But I promise you, it is all worth it. We took this negativity and used it to fuel us. To prove others wrong. To ultimately work towards following our dreams. We have accomplished so much already. Securing internships, positions in organizations and becoming a part of something bigger. But it has not been all sunshine and rainbows as we do this. There are days we can barely get out of bed. There are days our anxiety is so bad we feel like everyone is out to get us. And I will tell you, your fall semester of 2022 will be the hardest one yet. Academically you will be doing great and your relationships will be soaring into space, but your mental space will falter. If there is one thing you take from this letter, it is to please take care of your mind. If you do not, more than just your mind will begin to slip. We began to ask for help and open up, which made it easier to get back on the horse and follow the dreams we once raced after. You are greater than what we are going through. As for what the future holds… truly only God knows. If all goes according to what we believe now, in a year we should be graduating. We will be graduating with a Communications major and a minor in French and Francophone Studies. We will spend a year or two living in France. One year in the countryside and one year in the city. Finding ways to live in the most exciting and new ways. Honing into the field we most love, entertainment.

We will work alongside producers, directors and maybe even create a film of our own. All those years of imaginative games are really going to pay off, won’t they? We will travel immensely, continuously falling in love with the beautiful landscapes and painted skies as well as the beautiful people we will meet along the way. After we have had the time to learn about the world and learn more about ourselves, we will return to the States and live a slightly more “normal” life. You and I both know (well maybe you don’t know, you’ll learn later on) that we are not the type of person to settle down for a 9 to 5 job. Either we will continue to do the exciting work we have done internationally or we will find a different way to fill our time. We will be happily married to the love of our lives, with four children, yes four. With our own little small business in event planning. Now, this of course is the dream. You and I both know. Who knows how many more twists and turns life will take! We have already gone on a whirlwind this far. At the end of the day, I know that whatever we do, we will do it for the people around us. We may not make a HUGE impact, but if we can change the lives of one person, that will be enough for me. Whether that be following a “non-traditional” career path, living abroad, partaking in a jaw-dropping movie, planning a life-changing event, or even just being an a great mom and significant other/friend/daughter, I know we have the power to change lives and I know we will. Just look at how far we have come. “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.” -The Little Prince

LO ve

a i f o S Dream Style

Dear Sandra, You were thrilled but nervous to the core, with anxiety seeping beneath your skin. “Who am I to be presenting at NASA?!” You thought to yourself, but how can you doubt yourself when you’ve made it this far? It was truly an enriching experience and it taught you that you can do anything you set your mind to, with the right guidance, of course. In the future, I envision myself to be living a simple, slow-paced life somewhere quiet and not too busy. Although I would like to try living in the city while I’m in my twenties. However, when I get married and plan to settle down, I’d like to move somewhere suburban and be surrounded by nature.

Can you believe that at 10 years old you would move from Egypt to the United States, leaving behind most of your family and friends? It was hard in the beginning, but you learned to adapt and be flexible. It was frightening being in such a new environment and not knowing what to expect but, you handled it very well because you had your family supporting you. You had such amazing experiences and learned some very important lessons along the way. how far you’ve come! Do you remember when you were so afraid of being wrong that you wouldn’t speak or answer a question? Or that you didn’t like how people always called you shy and quiet when you were just too afraid to say how you really felt? Well, rest assured, you are no longer afraid of how others view you and what they have to say about you. You are content with your own opinions, and you are proud of who you are and how far you’ve come!

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“I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way… you must strive to find your own voice because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all.” – John Keating from Dead Poets Society

Sand

It was a cool Thursday morning in midNovember when you woke up a few minutes before your alarm, as you usually do. You were so excited that you barely got any sleep that night. Who would’ve thought that in just one hour you would be on your way to the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston to give a presentation to the engineering team you had been working with on your research at USF for the past 6 months.

I dream of getting a PhD in Biomedical Engineering to continue my research and to lead a career in rehabilitation engineering to one day design my own prosthetic device to help upper and lower limb amputees. I will continue expanding my experiences and I hope to inspire young women to follow their dreams no matter how big they are.

A piece of advice I would like to give to someone who is genuinely eager to pursue their dreams is that the summation of our everyday efforts, no matter how small, is what unfolds our dreams into reality. Big accomplishments take persistence and resilience, but even on days you don’t feel accomplished at all, don’t beat yourself up for it and know that you are enough. Grow and learn from your mistakes but don’t ever let them make you doubt yourself. It takes a lot of self-compassion and acceptance to move past your mistakes and self-doubts. But no matter what, keep pursuing your dreams.

Dream Style

Dear Astrid, How life has changed over the years. Right now, you're in elementary school, 8 years old, and excited for your Junior Press Corps club.

That club was amazing and I am grateful you had the experience to learn about the world, news reporting and research, as well as caring for the planet and those around us. You were an outstanding news anchor in the club. Yes, a news anchor/reporter for our elementary school, who shared interesting facts and stories that you were passionate about. Topics such as important historical figures, holidays, or interesting facts. You were always nervous and shy but excited to step out of your comfort zone. Reporting live every week to your classmates. I remember exactly how I felt as the countdown began. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Lights flash, cameras are rolling and you're live to the entire elementary school. It's so funny and creative all the things you did to stand out and move forward. All those things have molded you into a fine young lady. It might not seem like it, but experiences like those come once in a lifetime, so please treasure it with all your heart.

As I write this letter, looking back on the good old days, there is so much I wish I could catch you up on. But I’ll tell you this, you are currently working as an AmeriCorps VISTA at a volunteer medical clinic in DC. Though there may be rough days, the good days outweigh them. Your job is to organize, recruit and schedule all the clinic volunteers, as well as other clinic duties to keep it running smoothly. Occasionally I will shadow a Doctor, translate when necessary and get to learn about different specialties in medicine as well as treatments for chronic illnesses.

This is an excellent place to gain experiences and skills that improve my professionalism, setting me apart from those applying to medical school. OH YEAH, we will be applying to medical school! It sounds very scary and you even switched your major 5 times until you finally decided to stick with it. Majoring in Biological Sciences, Neurobiology and Physiology. All the math and science courses kept pushing us away but it's what we love therefore, we can't run from it. Of course, you've made so many friends along the way who have supported you and are just as focused as you.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me" Philippians 4:13

C A o m n o r

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d i r t s A

You are still joining clubs and volunteering in places where you can make a difference. You volunteered in places such as the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center emergency department and The Johns Hopkins Hospital pediatric emergency department to build your resume and learn more about healthcare. You realize you love the medical field and children so pediatrics is your primary interest. You are currently studying for MCATs, though it is nervewracking it is not impossible and we will succeed. You were always a hard worker so never stop studying and doing what you love. The future is bright. It'll be amazing as we work our dream job as a pediatric doctor. In an important hospital and soon our private practice. We live in an apartment overlooking a beautiful city. We’ll be pretty rich doing what we do and we'll be the best doctor anyone has seen. I know you will be so happy and possibly with a family of your own (can you imagine!). Everything always looks up, so stop looking down on yourself and your life even when it gets tough. Our two goals are to do what we love and strive for happiness but also to be the person who will be the reason a child lives a long and healthy life. You have a bachelor of science from the University of Maryland and have reached heights unimaginable by your migrant family. You are applying to medical school and are working harder than ever before. You are a strong, driven and smart woman. You are the American dream. Never forget who you are and why you do what you do. Love your family, your friends and overall trust in God.

Dream Style

You moved to the United States in 2019 to play football for a college team while getting a degree. You left your mom who hurts every single day because you live exactly 8699 miles away from home. You left your dad who calls you his “Neshama” which translates to “my soul” in Hebrew and genuinely means it every time he says it.

At 10 years old would you believe me if I told you that you moved from a 3rd world country to a 1st world country, alone, to create a better life for yourself at the age of 18?

No? Well believe it. By the time your parents reached 30 they had you and your 3 younger brothers. Your mom and dad struggled through many years of your youth to make sure all 4 of you had food on the table, stayed healthy and educated. The best part was you didn’t even notice the financial struggle of them juggling all these responsibilities while living in a country like South Africa. With the highest unemployment rate in the world which at the time was sitting on 22%, you got lucky. You got lucky to have been brought up in a family where health, happiness and family was the root of success. Being the oldest and the only girl you truly did take on the role of making sure your brothers felt unconditionally loved, safe and valued at all times. Many say you were the glue of the family and I would have to agree. I would definitely say it's the Virgo in you that made you so driven and stubborn to do whatever you wanted to do. You refused to be defined by social norms and never understood why at 6 years old you couldn't play football (soccer as Americans would call it) on an all-boys team. "Is it my fault my school doesn't have a girls’ team?” “No. and plus I don’t care, I prefer playing with boys anyways, I like embarrassing them” were often phrases your mom had to listen to when she tried to get you to do gymnastics or a more “girly” sport. Your passion for football sparked your future, who would've thought?

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You left your 3 brothers that looked up to you, confided in you, relied on you, admired you and needed you. And you left your friends who truly are going to be in your life forever. The question many people ask you is “Why?” The only reason for making such a massive life decision was because of one thing and one thing only. Football. Since 2019, you have lived in Kansas which is where you started your athletic and academic journey. You then moved to Georgia to complete your associate’s degree in Health and Human Performance while still playing college football. You decided that being an athlete is not what you truly wanted to do. Your love for the sport changed into wanting to coach and make a difference in many athletes lives and not just your own. That's where your passion for coaching got you thinking. You decided to complete your bachelors through an online institution because it was the only way you could do over 40 credit hours in a 6-month period as an international student to make ensure you could begin your masters in the upcoming fall semester. It takes most students a year and a half to do that but again, you never allowed yourself to be defined/or concerned with social norms. You finished your bachelors in Sports and Health Sciences with a concentration in Coaching and one month later got accepted into the Sports Management master’s program at Florida State University which, by the way, is ranked #1 in the nation by College Choice. Oh, and you were the first South African in program history! Today, stubborn 6-year-old Dani still lives within you. It’s been 3 years since you left all your family and friends back home and since then you have received two degrees and have just completed the first semester of your third.

You are an assistant women's soccer coach for South Georgia State College, whom you led to victory at their conference this year. You are also an academic mentor to FSU athletes who are seen as heroes in their respective sports. They are all over the internet with millions of people watching them yet you take your time to have patience with them to ensure they get a degree while simultaneously being superstars. You have made a difference and this is only the beginning. You are surrounded by friends who have become family which has made you realize the importance of choosing individuals who add value to your life rather than taking it away. You have chosen to have a handful of friends who have the same motivation as you which enables you to feed off one another. You live in a 1x1 apartment living your dream of becoming an independent woman who has challenged herself to constantly do bigger and better things. My favorite thing about you is that regardless of your career goals, you never fail to make time for your friends and family who have supported you along the way. Your dream is to inspire and impact the lives of the people you come across. Your legacy is what matters to you. Let’s say you have $86,400 and someone stole $10. Would you be so upset that you throw the balance of $86,390 away just to get back at the person that took the $10? Or, would you just get on with life? Of course, you would probably realize that the $10 is really nothing in the bigger picture and you would choose to move on. We have 86,400 seconds in every day so don’t let someone’s negative 10 seconds ruin the rest of the 86,390 remaining seconds. Don’t sweat the small stuff; life is bigger than that.

LOve

Dani

Photo By hcxphotos

Dear Dani,

Dream Style

Dear Jazlyn, I want to travel whenever and wherever I want, due to the job freedom I will have. Lifestyle wise, I will be living a healthier lifestyle, focusing on improvement of health in all aspects of my life – mental, emotional and physical. Some words of advice that I could pass onto someone else trying to pursue their dreams, is don’t quit on yourself, or sell yourself short on what you can do. Make sure to always keep God in the loop of any and everything you do. Don’t rush the process, trust it.

"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible!'" — Audrey Hepburn

Can you imagine that at 10 years old, my mom would be pushing me to stand in front of church each year on Easter and say Easter speeches?

That this experience put me in the position to speak on a student panel for the Board of Trustees meeting, giving me experience to be able to speak in front of an audience without getting nervous? This experience alone made me more comfortable to be able to speak in front of larger groups of people, which helped me to become a better student leader. I envision that in the future, career wise, I will have my master’s degree in Public Health, working with a government/federal agency supervising an epidemiology project. Relationship wise, I will be married happily to my best friend with 2 children, living in Atlanta, Georgia, in a beautiful home that I built from scratch.

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Jazlyn

V E

Dream Style

Dear Marisol, Can you believe the shy, six-year-old girl that felt unintelligent compared to others would accomplish so much? You were in first grade when everyone exceeded you. It was a challenging year, filled with embarrassment and low self-esteem. You had a teacher who made you feel stupid, which only worsened your academic performance. A core memory from that year was when we were assigned to read a book during class and then present it in front of our classmates. I had zoned out and didn’t hear the teacher when she said all this. I saw her place a bucket with books to choose from on my table. My classmates grabbed a book, but I didn’t register because I was daydreaming. After a few minutes, I snapped out of my daydream and noticed everyone was reading, so I grabbed a book and flipped through the pages to look at the pictures. My teacher said. “Alright, stop reading. One by one you will present your book and summarize it for the class.” I panicked and quickly flipped through the pages of my book again and skim-read. Then, it was my turn.

ALL

risol

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I didn’t learn anything about the book from reading. I stood in front of the board, feeling my face get red and hot as my anxiousness increased. I had to use context clues based on the pictures. I made up a summary of the book. My teacher asked me questions throughout my summary, knowing very well I did not read the book. She said, “Mhh, you didn’t read the book.” My classmates laughed, which was very common when my teacher made jokes at my expense. I thought, ‘Yet another reason to make my teacher think I’m dumb.’ It was mortifying and frankly traumatic. I have gone through so much in life since then. I have had better teachers that encouraged me which helped me genuinely enjoy learning. I joined clubs in high school and became more outgoing. I left my small-town home for the first time to attend a university three hours away. I fell out with old friends and made new ones. I found a cultural community in a diverse city. I made lasting connections through my work. I went to new places and experienced freedom. I found out more about myself and who I want to be. It only gets better from here. In the future, I imagine living in a two-story house with a bay window, an outside area for carne asadas and a pool. I am happy with my career and income and I am able to afford all the nice things I have ever wanted.

Love

I’m married with a child because I have always wanted to be a mother. We take annual trips to visit our families and go on yearly vacations. I live in a city with many fun things to do. I regularly meet up with friends and laugh while we have drinks. To anyone that struggles with imposter syndrome or doesn’t know how to prepare for reaching your dreams, find something you like and build a passion. You need a drive and you need to create your own experiences. Volunteer, signup, participate and engage. Don’t let the world pass you by.

Dream Style

Dear Jordan, I was infatuated with a few things early in life: tornadoes/storm chasing, earth science, Dr. Reid in criminal minds and communicating in a foreign language. I was so excited in Middle School when I was randomly placed in a Spanish elective back in my hometown. I LOVED Spanish class…in fact sometimes I was a little too hyper about it. My professor used to say “Manalili, que comes? Periquitos?” Sra. Cavero was amazing and helped me fall in love with language and culture. She actually ended up following our 8th grade class into our High School by a stroke of luck and I had her for a total of 3 years as an instructor.

Isn’t it funny how when you look back at your childhood, the answers of “what should I do, who should I be,” or “what makes me happy,” sometimes just appear, as if they hadn’t been there for 20+ years already?

I had many important moments in her classroom, but the one that sticks in my mind the most was the day I leaned into speaking with the correct accent, rather than trying to “fit in” with the rest of my class, as they tried to stay in their comfort zone and bastardized the language by something I can only describe as “speaking white.” (Think of someone saying “Hola! Me llamo María!”

If you’ve never taken a deep dive inventory of yourself, before a less-than-quarter-life-crisis, then you might not relate…for me, once I finally reintroduced myself to the kid I was, the answers became clear. At a young age I was a very experienced bar hopper, confidently ordering Shirley temples and Tom Sawyers wherever me and my cousins went out, accompanying our forever-young grandparents. (One summer, we practically gorged ourselves on maraschino cherries…) I like to think these outings fueled my confidence in communicating as a kid, but I’ll never know for certain.

But pronouncing the Ls as English Ls or not rolling your tongue on the R in Maria….) Sra. Cavero had paused me to pronounce and correct the sentence I had been reading, which is when something just clicked into place for me: I repeated what she had said and truly gave into the accent, not just the vocabulary, and tried to mimic her inflection. For the first time I realized that if I really wanted to communicate in this language I had to step out of my comfort zone and give it the respect it deserved.

What I am certain of is that there are two childhood stories from this time that used to make me turn as bright red as those cherries. However, now I look back at them and laugh because the answers were there—I just had to get over childhood embarrassment and unpack the common thread in my personality.

You’d think with all this talk about my love for language, I would have naturally followed this passion into college, right? Nope—I was a music major. By my junior year I had decided I was done with electives other than Band and loaded my schedule to reflect that. As a result, Spanish class was cut and just like with practicing an instrument, if you don’t use a language, you lose it.

My mom’s account of this first memory was also rooted in embarrassment, which quickly turned to amusement. It goes like this: once while out, I heard some people deep in conversation, speaking Spanish. Intrigued, I approached them and started spewing gibberish—a slew of fun syllables, horrifically misplaced consonants and probably a few rolled R’s flew off my tongue. My mom was horrified. She thought I was mocking them, when in fact, I was so inspired by their conversation that I instantly wanted to include myself in this display of language and culture. As a really young child, around 5 years old at the time, my intentions were pure: I wanted to communicate. My grandparents’, or rather my grandma’s tale, is also centered around Spanish. Sometimes I think this one was exaggerated, but I figure they just had more confidence in me than I do, or in true grandparent fashion they adored me as a kid. (I look back at this a little more subjectively). This story starts in Key West, after mom and dad had divorced and I started school in Marathon Key. Here, I had the most amazing opportunity to start studying Spanish in second grade, which is crazy to think about given my hometown and the ideologies of monolingualism that pervade and still pervade there. It’s no surprise, but I adored Spanish class and it quickly surpassed my passion for reading about hurricanes, tornadoes and volcanoes & scaring the other kids at recess. In my grandmas’ story, we were approached by someone speaking Spanish and little old me (7 years or so) very quickly, in Spanish, explained that we didn’t speak Spanish and couldn’t help him. Ok that’s not quite how she tells it…she makes it sound like I had a real conversation with this man. I’m not so sure that’s how it went down, but I do know that the phrase “Lo siento, no hablo español” was part of my secondgrade Spanish arsenal. The confidence to communicate more than that, on top of the knowledge of grammar and vocabulary necessary was not quite there for me as yet.

Eventually I hit that “less-than-a-quarter-life-crisis.”, where I was so unhappy in my major and in my life that I had no idea what I was going to do. I knew if I wanted to continue to “love” music, I needed to stop studying it—I was struggling to keep up and my frustrations started to weigh on the joy I felt playing bassoon. One of my professors finally said to me “Jordan, you don’t seem happy. I think you need to think about what makes you happy and follow that, even if that means leaving this behind.” It was time to take inventory and figure out what was making so unhappy…you know, besides clinical depression. For starters, I had just gotten back from a life changing trip in Tokyo, which is where I first started studying Japanese as a college course. For an accelerated semester I studied Japanese and Japanese literature, I also had never felt more alive, happy or content in my day-to-day life. For once I was following a passion for the sake of passion. Surrounded by like-minded individuals, thousands of miles from my home and completely immersed in a different culture. I found myself seeking out conversations and feeling a sense of achievement that performing had never brought me—even though I had loved playing bassoon. It turned out, I loved doing this more. I had just started working with my professor, Dr. Bahr, in a direct independent study because I wanted to start composing music. At the start of our semester together he asked me if I wanted to work on: a piece called “Ode to the Refugee” and a series of small compositions based on Palm of the Hand Stories that I had studied in Japan. As the semester went on my mood and drive took a turn for the worst which is when he sat me down and had the aforementioned talk. I credit Dr. Bahr as the singular reason I was able to switch majors and schools, ultimately following my true passion: communication.

I ended my college career with a bachelors in World Language and Cultures, with a double concentration in East Asian Language and Culture and Russian, a certificate in Arabic language and culture and a minor in international studies. I had never felt more welcome in a classroom or more at home, than my time at USF— that includes all of my time in the band room and performing on stage. Each time I entered one of my classrooms, whether it was a language course or a literate course I felt as if I was stepping through a Tori gate. My time in this path of study, left me with a need to communicate and meet people where they are, whether that’s in their native language with a friendly smile or whatever other way I can think of—I look forward to not only meeting people, but communicating and understanding them to the best of my ability. If you felt like this portrayal of that journey was a roundabout way to get here, you really should’ve been there, it was crazy. I still can’t get over how the answer was there all along had I just taken the time to listen to my 5, 7, or 18-year-old self. I used the word “love” a lot as I wrote this and there’s a reason to all that lovey-dovey madness: I realized that if I wasn’t following something I loved, then I would never be truly happy. I had to stop worrying about what would pay the bills, what would pay for college, what would lead to a career. I had to take a step outside my comfort zone (like that first day I leaned into speaking with the correct accent) and just follow what made me happy. I say “take a step” but at the time, it felt like a leap of faith. In fact, it was both crushing and invigorating when I made the decision to switch majors. Right now, I’m working at an incredible company utilizing the skills and love of communication I fostered throughout the years to meet people and help serve others. Taking this job was another leap of faith—one that my past journey that you just lived a little with me, helped me be okay to take…and man what a ride it’s been. I wouldn’t trade it for anything though. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself that everything would be okay…but I hesitate to believe that. If I hadn’t struggled to pick passion over what made sense at the time, then I don’t think I would see the value in my life choices the way I do now. I know that kid-Jordan would be proud of who I am and that college-Jordan would be intrigued. All I can hope is that future Jordan will be too. As long as I’m doing something I love, I think she will be. Speaking of the future, I often wonder what it’ll look like. My hope is that I’m a homeowner, with a house that looks like Joana Gaines did the interior and a porch/or yard that is my little refuge. Career wise I’d like to either be with the same amazing team I’m with right now or eventually working alongside my twin sister, doing our own thing. If I could say anything to my future self, it would be this: if you’re stuck, ask yourself if you’re happy, if you’re not, ask yourself if you’re following your passion. If the answer is “no”, then what are you waiting for? You already know what to do: Take that leap! My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage." - Aunt Frances, Practical Magic

L o v e

Jorda

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Dream Style

Dear Breanna, You’re only 18 years old and girl you are making little seven-year-old Bre so proud! You just graduated from high school at the top of your class, and did I mention you graduated from Nicholls State University with your Associate’s Degree a week before high school?! You are about to begin your first semester at THE Illustrious Dillard University, which soon you and your mom will share as your alma mater. As you enter this next chapter, you will challenge the odds and accomplish everything you set out to do. This small-town country girl from rural Vacherie, Louisiana overcame her fears and served her university and surrounding areas in more ways than one. I am beyond proud and excited to share that you served as Dillard University’s 2017-2018 Miss Freshman, 2018-2019 Miss Sophomore, CoCaptain of the Dillard University Diamonds Dance team, a resident assistant, Miss 1938 for the Beta Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Dillard University’s Complete College America honoree, and joined the FIRST AND FINEST sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Due to life’s most uncertain circumstances with the global pandemic, you graduated a year early with your Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry

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I am beyond proud and excited to share that you served as Dillard University’s 2017-2018 Miss Freshman, 2018-2019 Miss Sophomore, Co-Captain of the Dillard University Diamonds Dance team, a resident assistant, Miss 1938 for the Beta Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Dillard University’s Complete College America honoree, and joined the FIRST AND FINEST sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Due to life’s most uncertain circumstances with the global pandemic, you graduated a year early with your Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Looking back, your experience at Dillard University was everything you imagined and more – you even met the love of your life! Being a product of a historically black university has prepared you for anything this world throws your way. Wow Breanna. You’re really THAT girl! It is now five years later, and since the last time we caught up so much has happened. Coming out of the global pandemic, you realized how important mentorship and community support can be to students. You witnessed this firsthand as you completed two degrees during the global pandemic with the help of mentors, teachers, sponsors, and family and friends.

As a result, you are now the founder of a 501c(3) non-profit, InspirHIGHER, an organization committed to serving young women in the River Parish community and surrounding areas through women empowerment, advocacy, academic enrichment, and community outreach. Keeping the organization’s goal in mind, you hope to continue to inspire and empower young girls to defy the status quo and work towards becoming the best version of themselves. During your time off from school, you joined the Williamson Lab in the Biochemistry Department at Xavier University of Louisiana conducting research on the formation of high-valent iron species and how successive auto-reduction can oxidatively damage the protein or other macromolecules around, which can lead to development of diseases, such as atherosclerosis. During your time there, you had the opportunity to become a published authored of a science journal entry. You are now a first-year medical student at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Although being a full-time medical student can feel like a 9-5 job, you continue to serve in leadership capacities on campus. At your medical college, you serve as one of two representatives of your class for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Student Task Force. As a member who will soon be a part of the 3% that represent the population of African American female physicians, you feel it is your duty to continue to bring awareness and advocate for those underrepresented. Your responsibilities include articulating student concerns regarding diversity, diversity programming for the student body, assisting with the organization of mentorship and tutoring programs at local high schools and recruitment efforts to bring more diverse applicants to WCUCOM. Through it all, you remain to find time to engage in your passion: dance. To 20 amazing young ladies, you are known as “Coach Bre.” When not in the classroom, you serve as the head dance coach of the Xavier University of Louisiana Golden Starlettes Dance team. These young ladies have taught you so much about leadership as you continue to pour into them, and little do they know, as they return the favor. I know things may seem tough right now but keep the faith. In the future, I envision you challenging yourself in pursuit of a profession that will positively impact your community and beyond. In that capacity, you will engage with underserved and underrepresented individuals to provide exceptional, compassionate medical care and lead community efforts to improve healthcare outcomes. As I close out this letter, I leave you with one piece of advice: Continue to keep God first and remain true to your calling. You are a living testament that God is still in the miracle-working business.

Dream Style

Dear Necol,

All your cousins learned to swim at a young age seeing as they had a pool, but you never did. She watched as you ran over to the deep end and cannonballed into the water and realized in seconds that you were not coming back up. She jumped in to save you, not knowing how to swim herself. Luckily for her, she was able to stand in the deep end, where you were not. She pulled you out of the water and told you that she was signing you up for swimming lessons as you couldn’t live in a house with a pool and not knowig how to swim. “Stay in the shallow end for now,” she told you.

Did you know that at 21 years old, you would be fluent in ASL? Yeah, I know... 9-year-old me didn’t even know what ASL was or that there was a whole culture of people who communicated using hand signs. One thing I adored about you, young Necol, was your curiosity. You always wanted to try something new and be adventurous. It’s funny because that’s the story of your life. It started with cooking. You used to love to mimic mom in the kitchen and just had to give a helping hand. One day, as mom was doing her famous pan flip making your favorite fried eggs, you decided to be curious and touch the stove. In your defense, red was hot and black was off. When she removed the pan from the stovetop to flip the eggs, the burner changed from red to black, and you thought it had just cooled down that quickly. Soon enough, you found out that was not the case when you planted your hand right on top. You laid in bed all day that Saturday with your hand wrapped and covered in ice, recovering from that painful experience. The next day you were back in the kitchen just eager to learn your mother’s recipes as your family, and the whole neighborhood raved about your mother’s cooking. You wanted to be just like her. When she cooked, everybody ate; it was just in her nature to cook giant pots of food. It’s probably why you have trouble with portion control now when cooking. Sadly, you didn’t learn much as she passed before you turned 10, and you moved in your aunt. Your love for cooking didn’t end though, it just expanded learning dishes from different cultures. And so far, dishes from Asian cultures are your favorite. When you moved in with your aunt, she had a massive pool in her backyard that all the kids adored. One day, all the kids were in the pool splashing around and having fun, and you wanted to go in and join them. Your aunt asked, “Necol can you swim?” You looked at her and with a big grin on your face, then looked at your cousins and thought this’ll be easy. So you proceeded to exclaim, “Yes!”

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As promised, a couple of weeks later you started weekly swimming lessons earning a gold star for every lesson you mastered. I wonder if I still have that certificate. It must be in my closet at home somewhere. Rather than fearing the water, you grew to love it and went on to swim competitively in high school for two years. Your curiosity and adventurousness, for better and for worse, have shaped you into the amazing woman you are today. You stumbled into a sign language class and sat down thinking it was French. And from that first day, you knew you were willing to put in the work to learn everything about the Deaf community and become fluent in ASL. In fact, as of Spring 2023, you will have completed all the requirements to successfully claim Deaf Studies as your minor, having finished with Advanced Sign 4. You loved every moment of it, by the way. Your adventurousness also brought you to Alabama, where you adopted the best thing that has ever happened to you... your baby pup, Tiki. She is your whole world! And you won’t believe the impact she’s made on your life. She’s a goofy one, but so loving. When you’re having a bad day, one look at her and your worries are washed away. You’ve always wanted a dog of your own, and now you have one who is always by your side.

One day you’ll have completed the dream. You’ll know so when you’ve moved to Europe and are living in a big city, or small town with an enormous backyard... haven’t decided yet. But definitely with lots of kids—at least 5—all of which are adopted and maybe with one being your direct decent. You will also be married to someone who loves you wholeheartedly, someone who can handle your clumsy yet adventurous self, whilst you work for a company you love. Or you might just be the president of your own!

Contentment is what I wish for your future self and family, as your childhood was not always that, but you are well on your way to achieving it. If I could only say one thing to my future self, it would be to continue being curious! A great passion has come from each door you've stumbled upon and dared to open. Live your life, but remember you’ve already used up half of your nine lives.

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” -Albert Einstein

Yours Truly,

Necol, I couldn’t be prouder of you. You have grown up to be everything you’ve wanted to be; a traveler being one of them. You’ve been to three new states this year alone with Tiki, and went international for your 20th birthday to Guatemala. You even signed up to volunteer in Thailand for a whole month next summer. That’ll be an exciting trip. You also decided you wanted to learn to play an instrument, bought a guitar on a whim, and started teaching yourself chords. And when you wanted to learn how to dance to Latin American music, you signed up for lessons. You're pretty good at bachata! Continue to be great. There’s no doubt in my mind that you will not end up where you want to be, it's just a matter of time.

Dream Style

WELCOMEom fr EBONIE'S WORKSPACE I often chuckle to myself . . . Is this really my job? As a wellness-based career consultant and international women’s retreat host I often find myself contemplating between writing or producing a video about previous and current life experiences. I thoroughly enjoy connecting with others who have similar stories to share. For example, recently, when I was deciding what to share with my community and the lessons learned I was contemplating whether to share about….

The time I almost died in a truck accident after driving home from my boyfriend’s house smoking weed.

The time that I won money for twerking on stage like Beyoncé in Jamaica.

How one summer I traveled to Cali and could’ve easily gotten arrested for having one of the best times of my life in a parked car at the Golden Gate Bridge. Imagine that…. me in a Cali jail cell.

The time I totaled my friend’s mom’s car, and the dope experience I had with a friend at a local swinger’s club.

Take a listen to this video and email me at ebonie@simplicityhealthstyle.com if you too have stories to share that may help others realize that they’re not “the only one” experiencing the highs and lows, “good” and “bad” lessons along their unique personal path. Life is amazing if we take the time to appreciate the fullness of it!

Love, Ebonie

EBONIE'S WORKSPACE

! s t c a f fun

Sunshine, palm trees, white sand and warmth is where I feel the most at home and thrive!

Did I mention that chocolate lava cake, red velvet cake, and strawberry cheesecake are absolutely delicious?

You can sometimes find me in the bathroom dancing to Caribbean music while getting dressed to go out.

Fashion, fitness, and FUN make me feel good!

The free spirit in me needs freedom and independence!

I'm one of the only adults that you can find jumping on the trampoline or swinging at the park with my children. I prefer not to be a stuffy adult.

Lack of life variety and workaholics that don't take the time to chill... bore me.

I cook because my family and I need to eat, not because it's a hobby. But once I'm in the kitchen be assured my food will turn out flavorful and you'll be full. Traveling to Bali, Indonesia was a mental and spiritual awakening and FUN experience! Traveling to Africa and Australia may fall slightly behind that experience.

Sweet Moscato with a fancy dinner, please!

I embrace networking and consistently promote quality professionals and rising stars!

I attract all cultures and ethnic backgrounds and prefer to not be constrained by dogmatic philosophies and rules

I enjoy challenging the status quo and being authentic!

I will stand in a long line to ride in the front seat of a roller coaster because I enjoy thrills and adventure, but I'm not sure if parasailing in Hawaii with a small harness without knowing how to swim was such a great idea.

www.modestephotography.com anthony@modestephotography.com (813) 358-7937 DreamStyle Magazine Senior Photographer

Born on the beautiful island of Grenada, Anthony came to America when he was seven. From an early age, family, teachers, and childhood friends encouraged his artistic talents. "I never knew what would become of my artwork so at times I just painted, took photos, and created illustrations simply because it was therapeutic for my soul." He continued to develop his artistic gifts at the University of Connecticut where he received his Bachelor of Fine Art. It was there that he fell in love with photography and processing prints in the darkroom. "With the lens I'm able to capture the beauty in life and create work that explores notions of harmony, love, spiritual balance, peace, and enlightenment. I believe talents should not be hoarded by the individual, but rather exhibited for humankind. We are all creatures who crave the benefits of aesthetic pursuits. As a photographer, I realized that I could share my appreciation for my surroundings with those who quickly pass by and may not recognize the captivating nuance of their space. With the camera we are able to reexamine our space and just maybe, ourselves." Anthony is a freelance artist, photographer and father of four who enjoys cooking Caribbean cuisine during his down time in Tampa, FL.

“STAY VIBRANT AND PROCEED WITH LOVE," THE MODESTE PHOTOGRAPHY WAY. ~ANTHONY C. ETTIENNE-MODESTE

Photo By Lucy Torres

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Hi!

I’m Quia,

artist and

owner of QZ Design

Gallery.

Here’s a

little about me..

I was born in Pennsylvania to amazing parents who were both Marines. I am the oldest of 3 children and grew up traveling the world with my military parents. I've lived in several countries, from Rabat, Morocco to Oslo Norway and have experienced many different cultures. I have always been a lover of the arts since I was a little girl, especially after being exposed to Mozart. I believe that art like music can change your mood, your thoughts and even your actions. The right piece can lift your mood, create nostalgia and speak to you in a way that no person can. I create vibrant art because I believe color is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us, it's impactful, it's psychological, it affects each person differently. I specifically want my art to provide energy, warmth, excitement and stimulation when you lay your eyes on it.

www.qzdesigngallery.com

ELIXROLOGY PHOTOGRAPHY ELIXROLOGYPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM

Amber was born and raised initially in New Orleans, LA, but later relocated to Atlanta, GA after Hurricane Katrina. In school, Amber was dedicated to a career in STEM due to her natural love for science, pursuing a pre-med track in college in hopes of becoming an Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OBGYN). Despite her admiration for the medical field, she ultimately found her passion lie in Public Health and earned a Master's degree in Behavioral Science and Health Education with a specific focus on Maternal and Child Health and Health Disparities. Throughout her life, in addition to the sciences, Amber has always had a strong love for the arts, specifically photography. Since high school, Amber has worked toward building her photography skills and unique style. She loves shooting portrait photography and finding ways to cultivate an intimate, comfortable relationship between the camera lens and the client in order to capture them as their most confident, authentic selves and ensure their vision comes to life. She also practices different types of digital art and illustration and is currently earning a certification in UX/UI Design to further develop her expertise in technological research and design and how it can be used to decrease disparities in healthcare access and education. If she is not creating new art designs or capturing special memories on film, she enjoys reading, roller skating, and spending time near any body of water in her free time.

Learn more about her story on page 12

! u o K Y n a h T