Samaria is from Upper Dauphin High School and was nominated by Janet Denlinger. Samaria grew up in the Bronx, NY. She moved to rural Lykens, PA at the start of high school. After being kicked out of her home by her mother, her and her brother were left homeless. A local family was kind enough to take her and her brother in and eventually took guardianship of Samaria. This chain of events could have left Samaria a bitter, cynical young adult, but instead Samaria has chosen another path. Her Samaria worked to overcome her situation rather than let it define her.
Samaria plans to attend HACC to pursue a career in Social Work.
Janet says of Samaria, "If I were to sum up Samaria Duran in a word it would be compassionate. In spite of adverse life experiences she has developed an awareness of the positive influences in bot her own life and the lives of others."
Congratulations & Good Luck, Samaria!