"I felt completely and utterly alone"

Emily's biggest obstacle to overcome was when she was 15...

My sophomore year, I had a falling out with a group of people that I had once been my friends and I was involved in an abusive relationship. I was already in a bad place mentally before they went against me.

I was harshly bullied and wrongfully accused of horrible things. I felt completely and utterly alone. I wanted to end my own life. But I took that time I felt alone to just be alone and work on parts of myself that didn't feel right.

Once I had a better relationship with myself, it was easy to have relationships with those around me. Today I am completely at ease with myself and incredibly happy.

Emily's biggest inspiration is...

My mother is my biggest inspiration. She is an incredibly strong woman who I know has gone through tougher situations than I could ever imagine going through. She came from an abusive home where she practically raised herself and now she is a kind, hardworking, mother of us four and I am proud to be her daughter.