Damaris loves to run, be it a field in cross country, her own businesses and, one day, we imagine, the wide world around her. A human of many gifts, Damaris was grateful this year to be able to create an eye of calm and accomplishments within the storms of life. “Luckily, I didn’t have to deal with COVID-19, but I did engage in activities that I wouldn’t have had time to engage in without COVID-19... I hung out with friends outside of school, created more products for my business, and had more free time to write, watch shows, find myself, and cook good food.” As Damaris worked to excel, she credits a positive perspective for helping her to stay on track, despite struggles and adversity. “My proudest accomplishment from my entire high school experience is continuing to maintain good academic standing and always being able to see the bright side of things while facing many obstacles. This has now allowed me to accomplish one of my most important goals – attending college!”

We asked Damaris for the truest, most beautiful story she can imagine and she said, “I can [imagine] a picture book that shows an image of a tree on different days for 100 years. In the beginning the tree has more tough days than good, but around 30-50 years old the tree blossoms into something amazing. Something that was unexpected because in the beginning the tree looked very beat up and brittle. Then as the years get closer to 100, the tree gets stronger and more beautiful, leaving space and aiding younger trees to help them grow in a healthy environment. This tree is an inspiration and a mentor to the younger trees while still standing strong. When the book ends you see the comparison between the young tree and the older tree and you can’t believe it because they are almost the exact opposite of each other, but one thing that never changed is their roots. This tree is a reflection of me and how I intend to grow as a person.”

We could all learn from Damaris, not only the importance of staying on the sunny side of life in the face of obstacles, but on the essential importance of loving oneself and then using this love as the base for growing healthy and helping others do the same. This can be a hard world these seniors on the precipice can find themselves in, and if one is looking for affirmation from the outside, it might be scarce some days. So Damaris knows that having love for herself and pride in who she is and what she does will be a cornerstone of how she makes her way. Asked to give advice to her younger self, Damaris wrote both a love letter and a lodestar: “You are an amazing, incredible, unique, kind, optimistic, ambitious, wonderful and overall beautiful human being... You have no idea how much power you hold and soon you will use that power combined with your knowledge to change the world in some way and in your way.”

Please join us in wishing Damaris a big congratulations and to keep generating that love, joy and persistence in her next adventure!