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In the spotlight this month is former HRS resident Kayla Padgett. Kayla lived in our Celina homes with her grandmother and three younger brothers. Some of you may recall that Kayla was the 2013 Grand National “What Home Means to Me” poster contest winner. Kayla and her grandmother won an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. During the visit, she learned about government, history and travel and was given the opportunity to speak before 300 nationwide housing authority delegates.

Since then, Kayla has started college and found she really loves other languages. She decided to learn and study Chinese for a career as a translator, possibly for government or civic work. She wants to help bridge barriers between countries and people. How best to learn this than by living in China? Kayla passed a Chinese language proficiency exam last year, resulting in a liberal arts scholarship from her college, Indiana University. This has allowed her to study in China, which has been a very interesting experience. However, there were other expenses. Kayla was blessed to have a friend and a family member who helped with the plane ticket and travel visa.

Kayla tells us that she would like youth with a background such as hers to be inspired and know that getting an education is part of the way out. Kayla states, “There are people who will help you. As a child, I've always wanted to go to another country, particularly China, and now I'm here! I am not a special case; I'm an example for anyone who has the courage to chase their dreams of success. Yes, it's hard. I don’t want be the one to say it happens easily. You will feel like giving up at times. Just keep reaching for your goals.”

Kayla is an inspiration to us all with these words of wisdom from one so young: “Maybe you are in a situation where you can't find someone to help, I thought I was, too. In China, I struggled a lot with feeling like I shouldn't be here, that I didn't deserve this or that I'd fail. I think with a poor background we have a mentality that the world is against us. I'm here to tell you it's not. If I can do it, I know anyone else can, too. All it takes is prayers and determination. Never give up; there are results to the things you invest in, good or bad. Invest in the good, and the good will come back to you.” We wish Kayla much continued success!