My name is Lauren Lucci, and my story begins on a cold December day in 1991. Born on December 11th in Royal Oak, Michigan, I entered the world as the first child of Mary Ann and James Garneau. 

Our family, a middle-class household, was filled with warmth and love. 

On April 17th, 1994, our family grew with the arrival of my younger sister. We spent our childhood in Rochester, Michigan, a cozy suburb of Detroit. Our household was busy with my mom, dad, sister, and our two beloved dogs.

Our neighborhood was predominantly white and Catholic, a middle to upper-middle-class subdivision with large, well-manicured houses. The community was close-knit, and we enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle. 

I attended North Hill Elementary School from kindergarten through 5th grade, where I began to build the foundation of my education and create lasting memories.

The teachers in my early education inspired me to become a teacher. I loved the idea of spending time with children and teaching them. I looked up to my teachers and thought they had the best job in the entire world! After school, I would play teacher in my basement for hours, imagining myself in front of a classroom, guiding and shaping young minds.

During my childhood, my dad worked long hours. He would leave early in the morning before the sun rose and return home well after dinner. When he finally did come home, he would lay on the couch, often complaining of back pain from the stress of his job.

My mom, on the other hand, worked part-time at the hospital. Her shifts were on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On those mornings, my sister and I would go to before-school care and stay in after-school care until she could pick us up. I hated being the first kid at school and the last to leave!

In middle school, my parents got divorced. Among my friends, I was the only one with divorced parents. I confided in my best friend, Katie, about my parents splitting up, but I kept it a secret from my other friends for over a year. It was hard for me to accept that my parents weren't together anymore, especially when all my friends' parents were still married. This was a challenging time, and I often felt alone in my experience.

I attended Stoney Creek High School from 9th grade until 12th grade. My freshman year, I was on the cheer team, full of energy and excitement for what high school had to offer. However, on New Year's Eve of that year, my life changed dramatically. I was in a fatal plane crash that broke my back, ending my cheerleading days.

Due to my injuries, I missed much of the second semester of my freshman year. It was a challenging time, filled with recovery and adjustment. Despite these obstacles, I persevered and graduated high school in 2010 with honors, making the honor roll.

During my high school years, my dad married my step-mom, Cheryl. A few years after their marriage, they welcomed my half-brother, James, into the family.

In the fall of 2010, I attended Michigan State University, following in the footsteps of both my parents. Two years later, my sister joined me in East Lansing, making MSU a family tradition.

In 2014, I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education, specializing in Science. College was a transformative experience for me, as it was the first time I was surrounded by a diverse group of people. Growing up, most of my classmates were white and from middle-class families. However, at college, I encountered people from all walks of life, broadening my perspectives and enriching my understanding of the world.