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.

Kayleigh Thomas | Business Owner

I was raised here in Tucson. My father is a developer in town and my mother works for the University. When I graduated high school I left Tucson and the US to live in Israel for five years. I served in the Israeli air force and met my husband there. Read more>>

Noah Legel | Karate Instructor & IT System Administrator

I am originally from a tiny town in central Illinois, and actually lived several miles outside of town, between a huge cow pasture and corn fields. This environment fostered an emphasis on manners, and a desire to build community. Read more>>

Madison Miller | Board Member of Feral Cat Warriors

I was born and raised in Arkansas. I have been around animals my entire life. I started riding horses when I was just two years old with my aunt. We always had dogs growing up and any other small critter I could sneak in the door. I unfortunately never had cats growing up due to my mom being very allergic to them. Read more>>

Alexander Hamm | Freelance Photographer & Musician

Currently, I am living and working in Columbus, Georgia, but I have technically lived in multiple places, the most important of which being Alaska. I am a military brat, so most of my life was bouncing around from one base to another. Read more>>

Carlos Ibarra | Artist

I’m from Nogales Arizona. Like many Nogales natives, I grew up trying to find an identity that reconciled, or struck a balance between, the culture and country I was born in – that is, the United States – with the culture and heritage of the country my family came from, Mexico. Read more>>

Jessica Doberneck | REALTOR & Interior Designer

I grew up touring model homes on the weekends with my parents for fun! I thought this was a normal family weekend activity – No, it’s not. Haha. But it sure was for my family! I had developed design, layout, and floorplan opinions before I knew my multiplication tables. Read more>>