My name is Aniah O’Neal—not to be confused with Shaquille O’Neal. I may not be dunking basketballs, but I’m here to shoot for my dreams and make a big impact in my community, a small but important part of the world, in my own way! I'm 17, a high schooler, and autistic. My parents have always encouraged me to be myself. As a differently abled teenager, I have learned a simple yet powerful truth. Autism is not the totality of who I am or what I can do!! Autism is not a limitation. Rather than seeing my unique differences as a limitation, I view them as a source of determination and strength, transforming all obstacles into opportunities. Everyone has something that drives them, something that really matters and wants them to make the world a better place. For me, what matters most is helping people, advocating for them, and making a difference in the lives of those around me. My heart is drawn to giving back, standing up for inclusion and diversity, and expressing creativity in ways that bring people together. One of the biggest passions is advocating for teens with autism. As a teen on the autism spectrum myself, I know firsthand the challenges that come with communication, social interactions, and feeling understood. But I also know my strengths, talents, and unique perspectives that come with being autistic. I am a voice for other teens like me, showing them that we are capable of achieving anything we set our minds to. No one should feel limited by other people’s expectations; we define our own potential. I am also a beacon of hope, empowering other youth like me. I am working towards refining my skills in the Culinary Arts arena. This summer, I will complete a program offered for students with Autism seeking to pursue degrees in the area of Culinary Arts/Hospitality. I also plan on attending Texas State Technical College, majoring in Culinary Arts. Using these skills and my degree, I would like to help others by establishing my own non-profit in order to provide food services and support for children and families experiencing food scarcity. I am determined to leave a lasting mark by encouraging other teens like me to pursue their aspirations in the face of adversity, advocate for themselves with courage, and contribute positively to their communities. By supporting each other and embracing our diverse abilities, we can create a more inclusive society where every individual’s unique strengths are valued. Through my advocacy, future work in the Culinary Arts, and commitment to service, I hope to demonstrate that our differences enable us to make meaningful change and that every one of us can achieve our goals

My name is Aniah O’Neal, not to be confused with Shaquille O’Neal. I may not be dunking basketballs, but I’m here to shoot for my dreams and make a big impact in my own way! I'm 16, a high schooler, and Autistic. As a teenager on the Autism Spectrum, communication hasn’t always come easy for me. Communication is important because I need to effectively communicate in school, in future jobs, and with my family. I have learned to find my voice, built lasting friendships, and proved to myself that no challenge is too great when I'm surrounded by support and encouragement. Being an individual on the Autism Spectrum is often like riding a chaotic rollercoaster—full of ups, downs, twists, and turns. One minute, I might feel on top of the world, confident and in control, and the next, I am facing challenges, feeling lost, or overwhelmed. The key is realizing that while the journey may feel chaotic at times, it’s also full of opportunities for growth, learning, and discovering what makes me unique. Being a part of youth development programs for teens like me has given me opportunities to grow, and feel accepted, understood, and empowered. I believe every space in our community should be welcoming and celebrate differences. People of all backgrounds, abilities, and cultures should feel seen, valued, and included. I strive to promote that in everything I do ensuring no one feels left out or unheard. I don't let self-doubt or the opinions of others define what I can or cannot achieve. I dream of attending Texas State Technical College and majoring in Culinary Arts. After completing my degree, I have plans to pursue and complete the Disney Culinary Program. This could allow me to further my career progression in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and/or Restaurant Management. Participating in programs for youth and teens with Autism has been an incredible journey, helping me explore new ideas, discover my passions, and reach for my goals. They gave me the confidence to try new things and envision a bright future. Just like the end of a rollercoaster ride, I can look back and see how far I’ve come—through the twists, turns, and exciting challenges. These experiences have shaped me, and I know it will continue to inspire and uplift many more teens on their own journey. I know my dreams are within reach with hard work, persistence, and positivity!! If I can dream it, I can be it!

My name is Aniah O’Neal, not to be confused with Shaquille O’Neal. I may not be dunking basketballs, but I’m here to shoot for my dreams and make a big impact in my own way! I'm 16, a rising junior, and Autistic. As a teenager on the Autism Spectrum, academic success and communication haven’t always come easy for me. Communication is important because I need to effectively communicate in school, in future jobs, and with my family. I have learned to find my voice, built lasting friendships, and proved to myself that no challenge is too great when I'm surrounded by support and encouragement. I have also found great success exploring food, cooking and in the career field of Culinary Arts. I know my dreams are within reach with hard work, persistence, and positivity!! If I can dream it, I can be it! I have always enjoyed cooking with my Mom. Some of my earliest childhood memories are in the kitchen stirring, mixing, sifting and of course taste testing. In 4th grade, students were assigned a video project and asked to teach their classmates something new and exciting. My video did not demonstrate how to score the most points on the most popular video game, or the coolest features of a new toy, I selected to demonstrate how to fry an egg. I distinctly remember the joy and pride I felt as my classmates watched in awe as I led in the kitchen using the stove, which the majority of my classmates were forbidden to use. I have always enjoyed cooking and the joy and satisfaction that it brings to others. I am currently taking cooking classes led by a classically trained Chef for young people like me. I am interested in a Culinary Arts career because it challenges me to be creative, think outside of the box, and be a leader in the kitchen. I don't allow self-doubt or the opinions of others define what I can or cannot achieve. I dream of attending Texas State Technical College and majoring in Culinary Arts. After completing my degree in Culinary Arts I have plans to pursue and complete the Disney Culinary Program. This could allow me to further my career progression in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Restaurant Management, and/or Tourism. All of my college tours have included colleges offering cutting edge Culinary Arts certification and degree programs. I believe every space in our community should be welcoming and celebrate differences. People of all backgrounds, abilities, and cultures should feel seen, valued, and included. Cooking and Culinary Arts affords that. Initially, I plan on giving back to my community by serving as a Child Nutrition Manager and provide nutritious and balanced meals for children and youth. Secondly, I would like to partner with school districts and offer healthy cooking classes for minority students in hopes of inspiring them to adopt healthier lifestyles through cooking and exploring careers in Culinary Arts. Thirdly, I would like to establish a scholarship fund for high school or college students on the Autism Spectrum desiring to pursue careers in Culinary Arts.