You can spot Aariona’s radiant personality from a mile away. It is a big change from the shy young girl she was when she first came to The Cabbage Patch. Through the dedicated support she received at The Patch and her own sheer determination, she has found her voice and her calling in life.
Growing up in Shively, Aariona found her way to The Patch through her mother, who needed somewhere for Aariona to go for homework help. Coming to The Patch was a turning point in her academic and personal development.
“I quickly became known as ‘the student with the challenging homework,’” Aariona shares with a laugh. She often stayed as late as 10 o’clock working with staffers like Brandi Giles and Bianca Caston. “They taught me resilience and encouraged me not to give up when life or school felt challenging,” she explains. “Their support helped me build the confidence that I now carry into my public speaking journey.”
The Cabbage Patch was a safe space that offered her structure and routine, while giving her the freedom to express herself creatively and learn more about herself.
It was also a place where she learned to break out of her shell. She recalls a day at Life Adventures Camp where everyone was challenged to write something down that they wanted to let go of. That day, Aariona wrote down hers: her anxiety of public speaking. Letting go of that fear was another big turning point in life for her.
From shy and behind-the-scenes to confident and standing in front of the crowd, Aariona has blossomed in her educational journey. She graduated from Johnson Traditional Middle School and Louisville Male High School. As a teenager, she was recognized for her leadership potential and served as a Cabbage Patch Teen Leader for two and a half years.
After finishing high school, she attended the University of Kentucky, completing a degree in marketing. With the help of The Cabbage Patch, Aariona had the unique opportunity to do a photography internship after college to round out her skills as a future marketing professional. Now, she is on the verge of completing her M.B.A from Louisiana State University-Shreveport and ready to launch into her career.
“My story shows that growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone and finding your own voice,” she declares. She had the chance to share her story in front of a crowd of over 250 Cabbage Patch supporters as the featured speaker at the 2025 Champions Event fundraiser.
As for the future, Aariona has big dreams. “I plan to continue my public speaking journey by sharing my story and advocating for causes that matter to me. I also want to write a book about my journey so that my message can reach and inspire even more people.”
Aariona’s story is a powerful testament of how, with your support, The Cabbage Patch can change lives.