Trauma is often imagined as a single, shattering moment in one’s life: an accident, a loss, a crisis that alters everything in its path. My trauma, however, came quietly, in the form of a diagnosis at that age of two that had no expiration date. On a chilly winter night after Chrstimas in 2006, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Unlike a wound that’s stitched and healed or a storm that eventually passes, this experience follows me everyday, shaping the person I am becoming. Living with type 1 diabetes has given me firsthand insight into the daily challenges of managing a chronic autoimmune condition, the constant vigilance, medical complexity and emotional weight that rears its head. As a combined degree student pursuing both my bachelor’s and master’s in public health with a concentration in population health management, I am uniquely positioned in a place where I can translate my experiences into long-term solutions for others. These experiences are what inspired my commitment to public health and to creating tangible improvements for individuals living with autoimmune conditions. Through my research and public health internships, I have gained a newfound understanding of how systemic barriers, healthcare inequalities, and lack of patient resources complicate diabetes management. I have seen how limited access to innovative technologies, education, and affordable care can increase risk and anxiety for patients, particularly in underserved communities. These insights have only fueled my passion and focus on interventions that address both medical and social determinants of health One area that I am particularly passionate about is utilizing wearable technology and AI to empower patients as they evolve. Continuous glucose monitors and automated insulin delivery systems improve glycemic control, reduce complications, and support patients in making informed daily decisions. I plan to design public health programs that integrate these tools with patient education, behavioral support, and equitable access initiatives.My goal is to help patients reframe their chronic conditions, not as a trauma, but as a part of life that shapes their experiences, perspectives, and growth. By normalizing the presence of chronic illness and providing practical tools for management, I aim to reduce fear and stigma, fostering resilience and autonomy among patients and the future diabetics of the world. In addition to technology, I plan to advocate for systemic changes that improve care and accessibility. My personal experience navigating healthcare as a patient and witnessing my family manage the financial and logistical burdens of chronic illness has shown me that effective interventions must include policy solutions, insurance reform and expanded patent resources. I hope to collaborate with healthcare providers, community organizations and policymakers to create programs that support patients. My goal in public health is to transform lived experience into actionable solutions that allow people with chronic autoimmune conditions to thrive rather than merely survive their trauma. I want to ensure that others face fewer barriers, have access to tools and knowledge they need, and can view their condition not as trauma, but as a fact of life that informs perspective, builds resilience and sprouts personal growth. My journey with type 1 diabetes has instilled resilience, discipline, and empathy, all of which I wil channel into designing programs, conducting research, and advocating for systemic change. Through these efforts, I aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of individuals navigating the challenges of chronic autoimmune disease.

College has always seemed like a daunting and distant dream. During high school, I spent four years dedicating myself to the International Baccalaureate program because I felt it was one of the only ways I could make myself stand out in my college applications. I was rather humbled when I found out how many people in this "academically competitive" program applied for the same University I did. However, I noticed that my other passions seeped into my daily life and I ended up joining several clubs where I found inspiration and companionship. Clubs like the French National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society helped me find people that had the same life goals as me. Dating before my academic prowess in High School, I was diagnosed with type one diabetes at a young age. Being only two years old, my family had to adjust to the struggles of raising a child who was dependent on daily and lifelong care. Diabetes irrevocably changed my childhood and shaped me into the person that I am today. The doctor that diagnosed me at two, stayed my primary Endocrinologist until the day I was eighteen and could no longer see a Pediatric Endocrinologist. He mentored me and showed me that diabetes does not have to dictate the way that I live my life, nor is it a burden to be scorned. This experience sparked a deep sense of passion for medicine. It planted the seed for health services and allowed me to acknowledge my desire to help people in the way that my Endocrinologist helped me. College is one of the primary stepping stones in my path to becoming a pediatric endocrinologist. College was admittedly one of the scariest obstacles that I faced. No one in my family has graduated from college or even attended a university. During my childhood, my parents worked multiple jobs to be able to sustain my medical condition and often had to pay out of pocket for my insulin. When I was a child, my father dedicated his time to developing his own business centered around his passion for art, leaving no time for college. I had to navigate the application process by myself, often leaving me confused and researching for hours on the best course of action. This struggle did not negate my drive for attending college, and thus I got accepted into the University of Florida. I find the most motivation for my goals by finding a big accomplishment to work towards. In high school, my goal was to graduate with my International Baccalaureate diploma. Today, my challenge for myself is graduating with a bachelor's degree in either Nursing or Health science, and getting into a graduate-level higher education. My path towards medicine has never ended, as I have become CPR and first aid certified, gained over 18 medical shadowing hours, participated in psychological research, been published in an American Psychology Association proposal, and am currently interning with a Nurse Practitioner. I will never stop striving toward my goals, and I will not let me being a first-generation college graduate stop me.

It’s equal parts fascinating and terrifying what the human body can retain, experience, and transform into. It could be a randomly predisposed genetic occurrence or a mutation in the chromosomes that can alter you for the rest of your life. The complexity of the human body can never fully be understood, but with the help of growing advancements in technology and sciences, we have been able to come to an understanding of certain conditions. Often times diseases and illnesses overtake the body and lead to tragedy in the world. The more people we have involved in learning and researching about the anomalies of the human body, the more likely we are to prevent or decrease the chances of said tragedy. Being a type 1 diabetic my entire life, I have adopted a certain stronghold of compassion, knowledge, and inquiry towards the endocrine system. Having dealt with the growing adversities that come with this disease, I feel I have developed an ever-growing passion for pediatric endocrinology. This pathway allows me to cultivate my knowledge on my condition and help others in similar situations. I have had to grow into the women that I am today, by allowing myself freedom and flexibility in my studies and overall health. Being so deeply connected with the healthcare system, a strong connection has been formed between myself and the studies of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. I have seen firsthand what amazing achievements in STEM can do for those suffering medically. I wish to be one of those people who can utilize the teachings and craft that come with STEM majors to help others around the world. One person who has most influenced me in my decision to pursue STEM in higher education, is my own pediatric endocrinologist. Aside from my parents, this doctor has been in my life for as long as I can remember, working to craft a near-perfect system to keep my glucose in check. My current endocrinologist is the one who diagnosed me in December of 2006. My family has followed his practice all around Florida - even when it was financially difficult - because we believed he was the best option for my care. I have witnessed the wonders a caring healthcare professional can provide for their patients. I have seen firsthand what I could do if I pursue STEM. A combination of life experiences and interactions has shaped me into the applicant I am. They have driven me to achieve utmost academic excellence and pushed me to be a hardworking student. These skills and motivation have gotten me into the school of my dreams – the University of Florida – and given me the opportunity to hopefully pursue medical school in the future. I aim to get my bachelor's degree in Health Sciences, following the pre-medical track at UF. From there, I hope to become a working Pediatric Endocrinologist after the internship and experiences offered through medical school.

My body was a breeding ground for war and carnage from a young age, the destruction of pancreatic beta cells left and right. These insulin-producing cells were so obliterated that they could no longer perform. What’s outrageous is that no one tells you the predisposition you have for such a chronic autoimmune disease. That every day after diagnosis would be a constant battle to keep your blood glucose levels in check to stay alive and healthy. In my experience, being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the ripe age of two is a blessing and a curse. I would not be who I am today without the struggle that came with my disease. My pediatric endocrinologist is someone who has been there for me since I was diagnosed. He is honestly someone who inspires me to be proud of who I am, and to be someone who seeks true impact on the diabetic community. I think a lot of my firsthand experiences with this disease led me to want to be a Pediatric Endocrinologist in the future. “One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others,” (Lewis Carol). This quote by is one that I truly admire. I feel like the biggest impact I want to make in this lifetime is being someone who used all they had to save lives and help others. I specifically want to focus on pediatric endocrinology for diabetics. This career lends itself to aiding diabetics in maintenance of their blood glucose levels. I plan to be the person to help thousands of kids a year in improving their health and blood glucose levels. I want to establish relationships of trust with these children, to where they trust me to alleviate the burden of having a disease like diabetes. It can be life-threatening when not properly monitored. I am interested in this field because it is one, I can relate to on multiple levels. It is a field that means so much to me, as someone so closely impacted by it. A plethora of books are applicable to my successes in my academic career. One I feel most impacted by was recommended to me by my IB Program Coordinator, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens,” by Sean Covey. This book is essentially a self-help book that further focuses on time management, perspective and point of view, accountability, etc. I think it has put into perspective the traits, attributes and habits needed to succeed. In my opinion, this book is worth the time it takes to read, and that it’s applicable to life beyond teenage hood. I think it has shaped me into someone who can time manage effectively and organize my schedule accordingly. I can accomplish all tasks on time and stay within my realm of possibility. I’ve learned to create a functioning relationship with myself and others, so I can properly facilitate all avenues of my life. Responsibility and accountability are traits I find most important when pursuing a professional career, because no one is here to hold my hand into the future. It is I who must take ahold of my future. All in all, I would like to thank Lillian’s and Ruby’s Way LLC for the opportunity, and to express my gratitude for letting me share. I am not sure where my life is headed, but I know that I have the goals and the attributes to back any route I take in life.

The way that I see it, highly influential members of society and social media require a special sense of awareness for the world. You are in a path where the impact on the community and youth is huge. You may be the deciding factor in which way someone swings politically, a motivator for someone to go out and protest, or a sole inspiration for activism. I think that if I was in such a malleable position, as to call myself highly influential, I would stand for community engagement. Oftentimes people get so distracted by society and the internet, that they neglect their community and those around them. I would encourage people to go out into the community and find ways to benefit those less fortunate, or just to engage in your peers. I can not explain how many times I have seen people throw trash on the streets in my Downtown community, or homeless people sitting on the corner of roads. We owe it to ourselves and the betterment of the world, to get involved. I'd encourage people to pick up a trash bag and clean up the community. I'd recommend kids to volunteer in soup kitchens. I would remind people to donate food, clothes, and toys that they don't need, to those less fortunate. We need a system of reciprocity that does not breed selfishness. We much consider these acts of kindness, as a way we are improving the community and someones lives. The payment you should receive for this interaction is enriching experiences and a greater spectrum of friends. All in all, I would encourage the masses to be less selfish. To consider small acts of kindness and to pursue them. To set challenges where they compliment at least 5 people a day, just to make someone smile.

Did you know that there are over 275 million people across the world who speak French? Did you also know that there are over 29 countries that use French as their official or one of their official languages? In my opinion, one of the easiest ways to get to know others and to become a more open-minded, international thinker, one must take the risk of exploring a new language. Because of my participation in the International Baccalaureate program at my school, It's been a requirement for us to take four years of a language. Luckily for me, I do not view my language experience as a requirement, but more as a hobby that happens to be mandatory. I love learning French. I love the culture, the people, the grammar, and the clubs at my school. Currently, I am the French National Honor Society and French Club President, and I have been actively working for the past four years with my French teacher to boost the French culture amongst my peers and community. I feel as though I have a natural affinity for the language and although I would not consider myself of linguist, I think I've studied hard to be where I am today. Through this club, I have been able to aid French speakers from around the world. One instance included a project I organized to give aid to a French-speaking refugee from Burkina Faso, Africa. I got the FNHS and French Club involved in giving donations for said refugee and her family, to make her transition into Florida easier. In return, we got her to come into French classes and speak on her experience in French customs, religion, and family dynamics. It was a truly enriching experience and I plan to one day obtain full fluency in the language. One of the biggest reasons I want to pursue my hobby of French, is because I want to be a pediatric endocrinologist and I feel being bilingual will truly boost the spectrum of people I will be able to help. J'adore parler français et j'espère que vous me permettrez tous de poursuivre ma passion pour l'avenir! Le français m'a donné des opportunités incroyables. En regardant le monde, la langue ouvre les portes de la communication. Bonne journées et merci pour votre temps! (Translation: "I love speaking French and I hope that you all will allow me to pursue my passion for the future! French has given me amazing opportunities. When looking at the world, language open the doors for communication. Have a great day and thank you for your time!")

Did you know that the average student takes over 20 years to pay off student loan debt and professional graduates take roughly 45 years? Well, I for one, wish I didn’t. I wish that this wasn’t a common thing amongst the college stratospheres. Since it is, the average student must take every opportunity available to avoid college debt. I am going to do everything in my power to minimize college debt, to a point where I feel comfortable being able to pay it off, or not having to pay it at all. The first step towards success was building up an impressive resume. I knew since the start of my freshmen year, that college was going to be an expensive path. I started earlier in building up my academic and extracurricular portfolio, so that scholarships and colleges would be impressed. Not only this, but I wanted to build a career that I was proud of. I joined clubs that I had an affinity or passion for, and dove in headfirst. I also joined the best academic program available to me, to maximize my skillset and thirst for knowledge. This program is known as the International Baccalaureate program, and it has gifted me many skills. It is with this resume, that I am hoping I will be able to win scholarships. I have scoured the web for hours finding websites that offer credible, legitimate, and effective scholarships for a person like me. Where my background, character, and extracurriculars could be showcased. With this, I am trying to apply with utmost sincerity and honestly, displaying my true character in the hopes of being honored and chosen for these scholarships. I also have history working with a graphic design agency, in marketing and social media skills. This job experience helped me save up a couple thousand dollars to go towards my education. I have saved this money for two years and I intend to put it to use. Since I already got admitted into the University of Florida, I planned to start early with the summer semester, to allow me acclimation to the environment of college life, but also to settle in an area where I can find a job to sustain my living expenses. You see, with the International Baccalaureate program, my school has worked with Bright Future’s to allow all IB students who get their diploma, full gold bright futures. With this money towards my tuition costs, I have been trying to find any and every opportunity to minimize other expenses. This also meant, that I had to crack down hard on myself with studying habits to get the best grades possible to achieve the knowledge needed to pass IB exams, which are pending. A bit in reverse, I will now tell you a bit more about myself. My name is Alexa, and I am a student striving for a college debt free experience. I am in the International Baccalaureate Program at my school, and I participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities. I am currently a member of the National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, French Club, Interact Service Club, Student Government Association, Inter-Club Council, Chorus Council, and night choir. Within these clubs, I am French National Honor Society/French Club president, Choir Manager and Student Government Historian. I am also a type 1 diabetic and a lover of the French Language. I want to be a biology major and eventually become a Pediatric Endocrinologist. Overall, I am someone who has tirelessly tried to make college easier, by doing it debt-free.

No one tells you that Type 1 Diabetes is a constant battle to keep your glucose levels in check to stay alive. For me, being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of two was a blessing and a curse. I would not be who I am today without the struggle that came with it. The first time I opened my eyes to the life-long implications of my disease was in the sixth grade. It had been a tough week. My glucose levels were making waves, and my body was fighting against me. After we got my numbers to a safe level, my parents had to sit me down and explain the dangers of not taking care of myself. How one wrong calculation or insulin dose could be fatal. This was the first time I took it seriously. After this realization, the years went on with more trial and error on my part. At one point, I allowed my feelings to fester over and began to hate the cards I was dealt with in life. I hated that others enjoyed normalcy. I loathed the days I woke up in the middle of the night and forced myself to eat a snack because my glucose was low. I hated that I couldn’t experience sleepovers as a kid because my friend's parents did not know how to administer my medicine. But at one point, I realized I was being ungrateful. What I had to accept was myself. I had to learn I was not cursed by the world. It was not my fault, nor anyone else's that I developed diabetes. It was a random, predisposed genetic occurrence. I learned that I was given a unique opportunity to teach others. To enlighten them about diabetes with which I had grown accustomed to. Although I have become adapted to my situation, I am still working to overcome the challenge that comes with having an autoimmune disease. My life will never be like someone else's. I live with the fear of having too high or too low blood glucose levels and slipping into a diabetic coma. I have to live with this fear, and the only way to overcome it, is to live with my situation one day at a time. When the times get tough, I must take a breather and approach it with a new set of eyes or point of view. This is not to say that I am the perfect diabetic either. A few years ago – quite recently when you think about it – I was hospitalized because I was not drinking enough water to flush out the ketones in my body. When diabetics have too high of ketones, their body turns acidic. I had to have my body flushed and it was not a pleasant experience. This goes to show that overcoming adversity and challenge is not a stagnant or linear line. It is a process, a function, a wave of peaks and valleys. You will have good days, bad days, boring days, but as long as you are trying, you will succeed. I have had to find new ways to be the best diabetic that I can be. I have to watch what I eat constantly. I have to stay educated in diabetes and different foods affect on the body. I have to stay vigilant. This is just a part of the everyday life for me.