Tamara says that her keys to success are her family and her future, and she makes every decision in that framework. After her mother’s death, she realized that she would have to create her own future unlike the dysfunctional one in which she grew up. After several foster care placements, she has was adopted by her “forever family.” Tamara says that she excels in school because that is what her mother would have wanted her to do. Her determination makes her push through the distractions and focus on her schoolwork. Her school counselor said: “Tamara is one of the most driven students I have ever met….” Outside of academics, she has been an intern for four years at the Lebanon Police Department and works in Youth Court, helping to mentor other young people. Tamara want to study Criminal Law and raise a family.
