Julia, the girl I'm mentoring, surprised me with this senior prom dress she chose. I thought she would choose a demure dress as a shy, modest, Catholic girl who has never dated. Her parents are Mexican immigrants who protect their girls.

"VA-VA-VOOM!" I exclaimed when she tried it on for me. "Wow! You look wonderful!"

With sewing skills, I am shortening the straps and hemming the dress for her.

As Julia wrote in her personal essay:

"I got a job at Sweetwood BBQ and joined a gym in February 2023. My cousin is a personal weight trainer. He taught me to lift weights and create a workout plan. Six days a week I lift weights and get aerobic exercise.

"As a result, I lost over 30 pounds and increased muscle. I became more happy, confident and secure. Making friends, connecting with people, and talking with customers became easier. "You are glowing!" people say. I grew from a shy, hesitant girl into the kind, determined young woman I want to become."

"Once established in my nursing career, I hope to volunteer for Doctors Without Borders and work as a nurse at a rural, impoverished Native American reservation."

Normally she's swimming in too-big clothes. "I'm going to the prom with friends," Julia said.