Koa, 17 years old, NJ | 5 DAYS WAITING | NEEDED BY 05/29

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Koa is an amazing young woman who does well in everything she tries. She lives with her mom, who has a disability, and her older sister, who is in college. She has faced many challenges in her life, including dyslexia, autism, ADHD, and depression, but she has shown great resilience. After dealing with a tough childhood, including abusive situations with her father, Koa didn’t start speaking until she was five years old. She worked hard in therapy to improve her speech and learn how to walk. Growing up, Koa faced social challenges and bullying, where kids called her "weird" and "fat." Despite this, she succeeded in losing weight by walking and eating healthy, and she has kept a 4.0 GPA in high school for three years. People say she is gifted and talented. Koa loves to research different topics, and she learned makeup and beauty techniques from YouTube. She enjoys working out, taking care of herself, and exploring sports and fashion. Koa dreams of becoming a part-time model and a full-time therapist to help children who have been through similar experiences. She has made good friends in her therapy group and has moved past self-harm. Even though her family faces financial struggles, Koa’s accomplishments show how strong and determined she is.

Koa is really excited for prom and is getting ready for this big milestone. Before the event, she plans to have a small get-together at home with her closest friends so they can celebrate and take pictures together before heading out to prom and graduation. She would love to have a simple decorated backdrop for photos. Something with balloons and a “2026 Prom” sign would make the moment feel extra special and give her and her friends a nice place to take pictures together. Having this backdrop would help Koa celebrate her achievements and create fun memories with her friends on such an important day.