When 18 Isn't Exciting

By Sarah Bachman

I’ve always loved my routines. Right now as a college student, my routine looks something like this: Wake up, eat breakfast, go to class, work out, study, get ready for bed, plan tomorrow, and go to sleep. There’s something grounding about structure. Even when my schedule is packed, I like knowing where I’m supposed to be and what I’m working toward. One of the biggest changes I’ve faced in my four years of college was simply switching my class schedule to finish my degree requirements, and even that small shift felt big. Sometimes I wasn’t all too fond of my schedule either. If I had a busy day, where would I fit in studying or my nannying job that I rely on for some extra money?

Think about your own schedule. What parts do you like? What parts frustrate you? Most of us, if we’re honest, still prefer some kind of structure. Stability. Predictability. A place to come back to at the end of the day.

When I was 18, the world felt like it was opening. I was graduating from high school. I had friends and family who loved me. I had a room to call my own. I had time to think about my future and where my career might take me. It was all so exciting!

Now think about where you were at 18. Or if you’re younger, imagine what you hope 18 will look like. Freedom. Opportunity. Independence.

For some teenagers though, 18 does not feel like freedom. It feels like a cliff.

For thousands of young people in the foster care system, turning 18 means the support they have relied on is suddenly pulled out from under them. They may have moved from home to home for years. They may not even have a clear concept of what home truly means. Their belongings do not fill a bedroom. They fit into a trash bag.

And then at 18, they are expected to be grateful and ready.
In the United States, only about 50 percent of youth in foster care graduate from high school by age 18. Of those who do graduate, roughly 20 percent enroll in college, and only a small percentage, often cited at around 3 to 10 percent, actually earn a degree. At the same time, nearly 50 percent of youth who age out of foster care experience homelessness by age 26, and many experience housing instability immediately after turning 18.

While many of us are stressing about perfecting a morning routine or adjusting to a new class schedule, some 18 year olds are trying to figure out where they will sleep that night. Their main goal is not optimizing productivity. It is survival.
How is anyone supposed to focus on studying for an exam when they do not know if they will have dinner? How is anyone supposed to fill out college applications without stable internet, a permanent address, or an adult who wants to guide them and not exploit them? How is anyone supposed to just go to college when they are working full-time simply to stay off the street?
Society tells students to go to college, get a degree, and build a future. But for many foster youth, the high school diploma they fought so hard to earn is dismissed as not enough, while the path to the next step feels almost impossible to access. Why is a high school diploma considered enough for foster youth but not for their peers?

Foster youth are smart. Resilient. Capable. Many have navigated more change before age 18 than most of us will face in a lifetime. What they often lack is not ability. It is stability, support, and someone consistently in their corner.

They deserve the chance to go to college.

They deserve the opportunity to pursue a trade.

They deserve to discover what a routine feels like, not one built around survival but one built around growth and an opportunity to improve their futures.

They deserve to define what home means for themselves.
Raising awareness means advocating for extended support services, mentorship programs, housing assistance, and educational funding specifically for youth aging out of foster care. It means recognizing that independence at 18 looks very different depending on where you start.

So the next time you adjust your class schedule, complain about an early lecture, or romanticize the excitement of turning 18, pause for a moment. For some, 18 is the beginning of possibility. For others, it is the beginning of uncertainty. And that is why this conversation matters.

Routine should not be a luxury. 

Stability should not be rare. 

And turning 18 should not feel like the ground is disappearing beneath your feet.

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Sarah Bachman is the Current Miss Dallas County (TX). You can follow her on Instagram. 

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

Finding Confidence Through Pageantry

By Ella Acker

A year ago, if someone had told me I’d be competing in pageants, I wouldn’t have believed them. I’ve always been a creative person, expressing myself through music, painting, and other artistic outlets, but stepping onto a stage in front of a crowd was never something I imagined for myself. That all changed when a friend encouraged me to enter my first pageant. I had no expectations—certainly not of winning—but from the moment I walked onto that stage, I knew I had found something special. The energy, the positivity, and the sense of community made me fall in love with the experience instantly.

Growing up, I was always on the shy side, hesitant to step into the spotlight. But pageantry has given me a confidence I never expected. It has challenged me to embrace who I am, speak with courage, and carry myself with grace. My most recent pageant was a defining moment—not just because I won, but because I was the youngest competitor. That experience reminded me how much I’ve grown, and I truly believe it wouldn’t have been possible without God’s guidance. In moments of doubt, I leaned on my faith, trusting that He had placed me on this path for a reason. Each step of this journey has strengthened my belief that with faith and perseverance, anything is possible.

I am also incredibly grateful for my family and friends, who have been my biggest supporters every step of the way. Their encouragement, prayers, and unwavering belief in me have meant the world. Pageantry has taught me that true beauty is more than appearances—it’s about confidence, kindness, and the ability to uplift others. As I continue this journey, I hope to inspire people to step outside their comfort zones, embrace their talents, and trust that God has an incredible plan for them, just as He has for me.

This is only the beginning, and I am so excited for what’s to come. To everyone who has supported me—thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am truly blessed!

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Ella Acker is the current Miss Grayson County's Teen (TX). You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

Build a better you

By Brynli Felps

As I stand before you today, I am proud to share with you “Build a better you with Brynli.” My community service initiative is dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, healthy coping mechanisms, and self- care. Mental Health is deeply personal to me as I have experienced firsthand the devastating effects of bullying and mental health struggles. 

Throughout middle school and half of highschool, I endured relentless bullying that pushed me to the brink of despair. In a desperate attempt to escape the pain, I attempted to take my own life. But by the grace of God, I was given a second chance. It was in that darkest moment of my life, that I found solace in my faith and was saved by the love of Jesus. 

This transformative experience ignited a passion within me to help others who also are struggling. I realized that I was not alone in my pain, and that many others in my community were suffering in silence. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas had a 12.9% suicide rate, with suicide being the 2nd leading cause of death among Texans aged 15-34 in 2022. 

The statistics underscore the urgent need for mental health support and resources in our community. Through “Build a better you,” I aim to provide a safe space for individuals to share their stories, learn healthy coping mechanisms, and practice self care.  By empowering others with the tools and support they need, I hope to prevent others from walking the same painful path I did.

As I reflect on my past terrifying situations, I am reminded that my greatest accomplishment is not my academic or extracurricular activities, but rather my survival. And now, I can help others through my experiences become survivors as well. I am determined to not only change the world, but to save the ones struggling to live. Day by day, with or without a title, I will change the world, and I will leave an everlasting legacy. 

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Brynli Felps is the current Miss Plano's Teen. You can find her on her title's Instagram.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.