From the age of 15 months, I have lived with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. I was blessed with a family that didn’t let diabetes define me. Instead, they taught me how to manage this disease and live a normal childhood. As a competitive gymnast since the age of 3 and a member of a competitive team since the age of 7, I have encountered unique challenges due to the combination of a physical sport and diabetes. However, these challenges have only strengthened my mindset of resilience and empowerment, which guides me to this day. As I pursue an elementary education degree at Cortland University and continue my gymnastics career as a Red Dragon, my ultimate goal is to be a powerful messenger of strength and courage to impact children locally and across the Nation. When the COVID crisis struck, my life changed dramatically. I completed my freshman year of high school virtually, and my gymnastics training came to a halt. My mother, an elementary school teacher, and her colleagues were also thrust into the world of virtual teaching. I spent six hours a day from March to June 2020 filming and editing their lessons to deliver virtually to their students in a video format. The dedication that these teachers had to meet the needs of their students inspired me to pursue a career in education. I was given a unique opportunity to voice a character called “Snoozer,” an endearing robot vacuum, on an educational children’s literacy program called “Checker’s Library TV” and its offshoot, “Snoozer’s Storytime Adventures.” It debuted in 2020 in libraries across the country. I have volunteered my time to develop the Snoozer character and impart messages that promote social and emotional growth in children. I’m most proud of an episode on disabilities I co-wrote and appeared in called, “To the Top.” which demonstrates the amazing things that are possible with a will to overcome. This summer, I will perform live as a character I created, Super Amy, at libraries across the region. I will share my struggles and triumphs of living with type 1 diabetes while inspiring children to read. I will also infuse messages of determination, grit and strength in my appearances while raising funds to pay for my college education. I plan to continue to develop the characters of Snoozer and Super Amy throughout my education in college and as I earn my teaching degree. Upon graduating from college, I will be in a unique position to impact children in a classroom each day, while creating motivating educational video content available throughout the country. I can take the skills I have acquired in college that will influence change. I believe that by fostering positive messages in young learners, they will be empowered to pursue their dreams and achieve all they set out to do.