When I was 15, my brother Brandon drowned. On a rainy Saturday in May, he went into a creek and never came home. It was my first prom, and the very next day was Mother’s Day. That weekend was one of the hardest of my life. Divers recovered Brandon’s body on Monday afternoon, forever changing our family.

Yet, from this tragedy emerged goodness. Our community rallied around us, and our school showed incredible support. Brandon’s classmates came together to create a memory book, a beautiful tribute filled with stories that captured his spirit. He was the class clown, a bit mischievous, but always had a heart of gold. The classmates who now call themselves the 95ers encapsulated his essence in that book, and I will always treasure it.

This experience inspired me to pursue education as a profession. I wanted to give back and help others navigate the hardships similar to those our family faced on that rainy day. Over time, I developed the H.O.P.E. framework, a deliberate practice of self-reflection designed to empower individuals with self-awareness and self-efficacy. H.O.P.E. stands for Habit, Optimistic outlook (or mindset), Purpose, Passion & Perseverance, and Excellence. This framework has enabled me to spark hope in myself and others, helping us realize our fullest potential.

Trauma and tragedy can ignite hope. Stay tuned for more about my upcoming book, Lead with HOPE… coming soon!