Justin Parks, 26, inherited his family's dairy farm from his father after his death in 2012. Parks milks about 60 cows twice a day. He is the sole employee on the farm with occasional help from family and friends. Parks said he likes the farming life styling and his connection to his food but it isn't always easy with a few rambunctious cows.

A month before Alexis Lowe's senior year of high school in Grand Rapids, Mich., she gave birth to her son Zayden Lowe. Support from family, her boyfriend and school faculty helped her get through senior year while still participating in track, cheerleading and working part-time keeping honor roll status. In the fall of 2016, she plans to attend Texas Southern.