Norton "Adapt and Overcome" Scholarship

There's a photo of me from one of my birthdays where I'm sitting in a hospital bed with a party hat on, smiling weakly at a cupcake with a candle. I look small and tired, but also proud. That image sums up a lot of my childhood: trying to hold onto moments of joy while navigating a complicated medical world I never asked for. I was born with a tumor in my brain, which caused me to live with hypopituitarism, as the tumor wasn't the only thing that was removed from my brain; my pituitary gland was removed as well. This affects many parts of the body, including the immune system. Throughout my early years, I was in and out of the hospital, had routine visits, specialists, emergency illnesses, and countless appointments. Some years, it felt like I spent more time in exam rooms than in the classroom. The challenges didn't stop in childhood. In middle school, I still had frequent medical absences, and by my freshman year of high school, it hit especially hard. My weakened immune system meant that even a common cold could turn into something more serious. I missed many school days due to illness or doctor's visits. At times, it felt impossible to keep up. I'd come back to class overwhelmed by everything I had to catch up on: notes, quizzes, homework, and even though my teachers were supportive, it was hard not to feel left behind. But I never gave up. I knew I had to adapt. I created schedules to manage my makeup work. I emailed my teachers from home when I was too sick to come in. I leaned on online resources, took detailed notes, and carved out extra time on weekends to review what I missed. I had to learn discipline quickly, but I also had to be kind to myself and recognize that pushing through meant doing the best I could, not being perfect. What helped me overcome wasn't just academics, though. It was my mindset. I refused to let my condition define me or my future. Every time I showed up to school after a long absence, I told myself that just walking in the door was a win. I focused on my goals, like becoming a math teacher one day, and reminded myself that setbacks are just part of my story, not the end of it. Now, as I near the end of high school, I'm proud of how far I've come. I've gotten more involved in my community and taken on leadership roles, including in National Honor Society, and I've poured energy into giving back through volunteering. And most importantly, my health has been the best it's ever been during my junior year. I still have to manage my condition, but I finally feel like I'm moving forward more than I'm falling behind. It hasn't always been easy to show up, but I've always found a way to. And with the strength I've built through these challenges, I know I'll continue to adapt and overcome whatever comes next in college and beyond. Thank you for honoring students like Braiden and me, and for encouraging us to keep pushing forward.