Losing her husband is the most difficult challenge Tonya Hensley has faced in her life. She doesn't know if she would've been strong enough to overcome that loss if she hadn't endured difficult experiences during her childhood. But each challenge made her who she is today: a strong, optimistic and resilient mother of four children.

Tonya is a nursing major at Stanislaus State, where she has made the Dean's List and is a member of the Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society and The National Society of Leadership and Success. She works as a student assistant for the School of Nursing, provides free childcare to single working parents and helps seniors in her community by doing their grocery shopping and errands.

After earning her degree, Tonya plans to work as a labor and delivery nurse while advancing her education to achieve multiple certificates in newborn care.​