16-year-old Trinity loves to sing and is waiting to find her people

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - At 16 years old, Trinity is already thinking about college, a career in nursing and the life she wants to build for herself.

She has a lot she wants to accomplish. But when asked what she wants in a family, her answer has less to do with what they can give her — and more to do with how they make her feel.

“I like to shop, self-care. I like to clean,” Trinity said. “It’s kind of like a getaway.”

Trinity is a girl who likes it all: getting her hair and nails done, playing volleyball and basketball, and making time for friends and family.

But there’s another side to Trinity — one that comes alive when she finds her voice.

I would video myself singing and all the time I was playing karaoke,” she said. “I was always told that I sing so pretty.”

She started singing at around eight years old, and it’s turned into something she loves — something others have told her she’s really good at.

“I always wanted to do like, either like American Idol, America’s Got Talent, stuff like that,” Trinity said. “But I’ve never really been in a place where I could.”

In foster care, much of her focus is on what comes next.

“I am a senior graduating in May,” she said.

Trinity is working through three years of high school classes at once to graduate early.

I just have to stay motivated and, you know, continue to keep my head up and not give up on myself,” she said.

She has her eyes on college and a career as a traveling nurse.

“I like to help people. It makes me feel good,” Trinity said.

She knows getting there will take work. And she knows it helps to have people in your corner.

When asked what she would want in a family, Trinity said: “Just a healthy environment. People that treat me like a person and not an item, and not just a foster kid.”

Trinity wants a family that will listen to her, respect her opinions and let her figure out who she wants to be — people who can encourage her as she works toward her goals.

“Someone who would play sports with me and just care about me,” she said.

As part of her Gift of Love experience, Trinity picked out an outfit from Lindale Floral Shop and got her hair and makeup done at Pistols and Pearls Salon before heading out for a night to remember.

She watched Kristin Chenoweth perform alongside the East Texas Symphony Orchestra at UT Tyler’s Cowan Center, then got to meet the Broadway and television star in person. Trinity also got to meet Tisa Hibbs, who served on the co-producing group for Queen of Versailles and serves on the ETSO Board of Directors and the Cowan Advisory Board.

Like Trinity, Chenoweth was also adopted as a baby, making the moment even more meaningful.

At 16, Trinity is making plans for a bright future. But there’s one thing she hopes to find along the way – a family that will give her the gift of love.

For more information about Trinity, you can email hello@heartgalleryetx.org or visit Heart Gallery East Texas.