OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM
HAWTHORN PROJECT SIMS - PHASE III
Name: Althea Komen
Traits: Cheerful, self-assured, vegetarian
M/F/TG: F
Aspiration: Super Parent
Occupation (Or Former Occupation): Former buyer for clothing chain
Spouses Name: N/A
Child 1 Name: Nadia
Child 1 M/F/TG: F
Child 1 Traits: Outgoing
Child 1 Aspiration: Social Butterfly
Child 2 Name: N/A
Please tell us a little bit about yourself, and your family if appropriate, and why you are applying to The Hawthorne Project.
To Whom it May Concern:
My name is Althea Komen. I was a fashion model when I was younger, loved the industry, not the runway, so when the opportunity arose to work as a buyer for a huge clothing chain, I grabbed it. Nadia came along a few years later as a big but wonderful surprise. Her father was a sort of ship in the night, so, when she was born, I didn't even know how to contact him to tell him, which was just fine. I was doing fantastically well at a career I loved and was good at - and Nadia was such a beautiful, happy baby. Everything was just perfect. Then my world crashed in. Cancer. When I got too sick to work, I couldn't continue the payments on insurance. My work policy hadn't covered many of my treatments and the bills were already emptying my bank account. There was only a small window of time to apply for state insurance after I lost my job, and of course, I missed it. The bills kept coming. Bankruptcy only delayed, not stopped, the foreclosure of our home and the hospital lien took any money left after the sale. The bank put our things in storage, but when I couldn't pay the fees the storage company auctioned off everything left. We ended up in a shelter. A friend found out and took us in, but I feel we've been there far too long and taken advantage of her hospitality. I'm doing much better now and praying I stay well enough to see my little girl grow up. She's been so brave through all of this, my little rock. I'm a proud woman and it's really hard for me to ask for help, but I'm at the end of my rope and my little girl deserves far better than what life has dealt her so far.
Tell us about your ideal home space:
My high pressure corporate days are over. I'm doing better, but still so tired of all the time from the chemo. I do have a dream, though. I'd love to have a little boutique of my own with an apartment above for the two of us. In my fantasy it's a clothing and cosmetics boutique, but I'd be happy with anything style related. In my dream I see the apartment above in whites with bold splashes of color. In reality, I'd be happy with an inflatable mattress and a card table as long as we could call it ours. Nadia is a very smart little girl who loves everything to do with science, astronomy and the planets. She's currently trying to figure out if she'd rather be an astronaut or a Disney princess when she grows up. I'm pushing for astronaut. I'd love a science or space themed bedroom for her with room for a kitten. What little girl wouldn't want a kitten? I don't have any real retail experience but I know I'm really good at choosing what people will buy, and the rest can be learned. If given the chance I know we can shine. Despite the bankruptcy, I'd still like to earn enough to pay off my old bills and I'd happily and proudly donate a portion of every sale to the Hawthorne project to help others in need. If this experience has taught me anything, it's taught me empathy.
(October is breast cancer awareness month and cancer is the number one cause of bankruptcy in the U.S. The scenario I created is far more common than most people know. I will now get off my soapbox.)
https://i.imgur.com/0fwWBKV.jpg
