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Foster youth recounts childhood instability and plans to study veterinary surgery
Summary
A student who said they entered foster care after their mother's death described years of school disruptions, time in residential care, and a plan to attend community college and then transfer to a four-year university to study veterinary surgery.
The student, identified in the transcript only as "Student" and who described themself as a foster youth, said they were born in Palm Springs in February 2007 and entered the foster system after their mother died of a drug overdose.
"I was born in Palm Springs of 02/2007. I was there for about 3 to 4 years and then my mother died of a drug overdose," the Student said. "I was put into Trinity Youth Services and I've been there almost 4 years."
The student described repeated school changes and early academic struggles, saying they once earned "straight F's and D's and C's" before beginning to ask for help and improving. They said they express experiences through poetry and recited lines about turning "struggle into strength."
The Student said they are now planning a career in veterinary surgery and outlined a pathway through community college: "I'm currently studying to be a veterinarian surgeon. My plan is to go to VVC Community College for about 2 years since I'm a foster youth that get paid the tuition already. I'm a transfer into a 4 year university."
They credited a school counselor and a social worker with practical help, including creating a college account and attempting to obtain the student’s birth certificate so the student can get a California identification card. "She also is currently helping my social worker get my birth certificate so I can get my California ID," the Student said, adding that the original birth certificate is not currently available.
The student placed their experience in a broader context, saying many young people in difficult circumstances do not graduate: "A lot of people in The United States do not get to graduate. Even if they're in foster or jail, any of that. The kids that come here have been given a maybe a chance at life and I think it's really good that they're actually putting that chance into work so they can graduate, grow up, and have a good life," they said.
No formal actions or policy decisions were recorded in these remarks; the transcript contains a first-person account and statements about educational plans and supports.
