K McCAVENEY - 20 - Bryn Mawr, PA lives in Philadelphia, PA
A current Temple University student, entering her final year in the fall, K is someone who is sassy, smart and incredibly personable. Her relatability is refreshing and her ability to connect with various different people is envying. She grew up outside of the Philadelphia region in a suburb town with her mom, dad and two younger brothers. K recalled that love was a central part of her childhood and she was taught how important it was to appreciate the people surrounding you. She was also told to always laugh. As she went through schooling, she found a passion for writing. But as she grew older and her writing became more prominent in her lie, she realized she needed to be more accessible. She was writing with words she at times did not comprehend, and her grades and feedback would reflect as such. It made her feel less powerful when she wrote. Yet, she learned that it was better to convey purpose through comprehension rather than craftyness. When asked about how she found the concept confidence present in her everyday life, she spoke about her mother's mental illness and how its affects were relative to this point. Her mom would refuse to acknowledge her bipolar disorder and such denial affected the entire family. As she continued to deny it, K got very embarrassed of her own struggles with feeling stable and content. As time progressed and her mother sought out treatment, K was able to find strength from that and seek some out for herself as well. As she reflected on this, she acknowledged how she has become more aware that other people's minds do not work the same as hers. So when it comes to one's self-assurance it is imperative to recognize differences and support them rather than shut them down.