Patrick Burns

I was 17 years old when I graduated high school and went away to college. There were several reasons I wanted to move to a new county. I had a desirable scholarship package at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), which has a great acting program.

The Fourth of July is a special time for many Americans as we gather with those we love to celebrate freedom, independence and barbecue. I, for one, had a fantastic day with friends, food and fun in celebration of the freedoms we enjoy every day.

EMK Press, a publisher of tools and resources for families formed by adoption, foster care or kinship, is currently inviting submissions from foster care teens, alumni and adoptees to share recipes and food-related stories for our cookbook, Recipes for Success.