“I’m majoring in Fashion Design, this is my second semester. I’m 14, one of the youngest students at BCCC! I hopefully will start a fashion club here. I’ve been designing clothing since I was about seven years old. I showed in Baltimore Fashion Week when I was 10 and New York Fashion Week when I was 11. I started my own company, Leah Faith Designs, when I was 11 as well. In 2017, I founded Adaptive Style, a nonprofit organization that makes adaptive clothing for people with disabilities. 2019 was a huge year for Adaptive Style. The highlight of the year was making the gown for Ms. Wheelchair America and attending the crowning ceremony. Adaptive Style isn’t just clothing, it’s advocacy for the disabled community as well. Some people think that I only do adaptive clothing but I do so much more! I make a variety of modest clothing for people without disabilities as well. I want to make a difference at the school and help encourage others. It is hard to balance it all, though. I have to prioritize the things that are most important and focus on those. I do believe that my school life and my personal life go hand in hand. My school life has grown me in my personal life, and my personal life has grown me in my school life. After BCCC, I want to go to either the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) or Parsons in New York City. I’m attending the PreCollege Academy Summer Program at FIT this year. Having always been homeschooled, it has been an adjustment being in the classroom. Everyone has been so supportive and helpful, though. I’m starting to build a network of great people and I’m truly learning and acquiring the tools I need. Being at BCCC has been rewarding and has pushed me out of my comfort zone, in a great way. So many people at BCCC have helped me. I’ve been to almost every office at the College dealing with the complicated dual enrollment, age and homeschool situation. Everyone has been supportive. Dr. Miller at the DSS Office has been super helpful! I’ve been diagnosed with Hashimotos Thyroiditis, Lupus and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), so the DSS office has been very helpful with making sure I get the accommodations I need to overcome these challenges. I love helping people. In my sewing class, I helped some of my classmates with their sewing samples. I also bring food donations to the Student Life Food Pantry through my family’s ministry. My advice to any new college students is to use your resources! Also, learn to be professional and respectful to those who can and even those who can’t help you. College is about learning and finding your passion. Use that information to your advantage!”
