There are so many factors that affect how our lives turn out, but one of the most interesting is how our backgrounds give us unique strengths and perspectives that affect who we are as adults. We asked rising stars from the community to tell us about their background and upbringing and how they feel it’s impacted who they are today.

Alexa Frankovitch | Photographer

I grew up in a small town in West Virginia and am very lucky to have two parents who really value art and creativity. My mom is a teacher and my dad works in finance, though he always made a point to take my sister and I to plays and museums and to the movies when we had time so we were able to experience more than just what was offered at school. My parents gifted me a tiny, bright green point-and-shoot camera for my birthday when I was maybe 12 or 13, and combined with their insistence on creativity in our house, I think that really started me on the path that I’ve followed to today.  Read more>>

Marialejandra Araujo | Journalist & Ukulele Enthusiastic

My name is Marialejandra Araujo. I’m from Venezuela but had to leave my home country due to the still ongoing dictatorship that rules Venezuela. It wasn’t easy, but I believe the process of leaving everything behind –including family, friends, possessions, and basically a complete life of its own– has helped me become what I am today: A woman with a steady music-related job, able to support me and my family; a woman with goals, a woman that fights every single day to accomplish those goals no matter what. Read more>> 

Samantha Biggers | Personal Trainer & Bodybuilding competitor

I’m originally from San Diego, CA now located in Montclair, a suburb outside of Los Angeles. I was raised by my southern, maternal, grandparents in a household that prioritized discipline, competition, and hard work. I was thrown into sports from the minute I could walk and quickly found I had great athletic ability- it was something that came quite natural to me. Despite playing sports I was quite unhealthy. In my home you always showed love with food and my grandmother made sure we never went without. Read more>>