This is a story of grit, nerve and fearlessness.

It is the story of Deirdra Kearns ’17, a Farmingdale State College visual communications major who, when you examine her grossly dysfunctional life, has no business being a successful student, employed graphic designer, and budding philanthropist.

“Pay It Forward” is her life-theme, as she evolves into a woman who wants to give back after a life in which she was deprived of everything a child/teen needs to become a responsible, self-sufficient adult. She even dares to dream about changing the world with her work. Ambitious, yes; impossible, no! Not for this “Comeback Kid.