Koa, 17 years old, NJ | 1 DAY WAITING | NEEDED BY 09/04

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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 a young lady who is very determined to be her best self. She loves fashion and dreams of designing clothes and modeling part-time. She is inspired by all body types, including both plus-size and regular models. This September, Koa is excited to go to a fashion show and a concert in New York during Fashion Week. She hopes to see one of her close friends walk the runway with beautiful plus-size and regular models, showing how important representation is in fashion. Koa also looks forward to meeting talented designers, learning about modeling, and celebrating all shapes and sizes.