As an athlete, I know what it’s like to be injured and have learned patience throughout the healing process. However, being afflicted with a chronic health condition has proven to be the most influential journey in teaching me resilience and self-discovery. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that attacks the pancreas and kills its ability to produce insulin. Insulin is needed to transport glucose out of the blood and into our cells for energy. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their daily struggles with it. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I too was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic wasn't easy, after all, I now had to monitor everything I ate and inject insulin into my body. Sometimes I would give too much insulin causing my blood sugar to go low and I felt terrible. I was learning the physical requirements of diabetes but my mental health was failing. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication intended to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. I endured multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. It was physically challenging but my mental health improved as I remained hopeful that the experimental medicine would cure or delay Type 1 Diabetes. I am proud that I had the strength and bravery to see past the potential risks to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. Over the last 3 years of living with an autoimmune disease, I have come to realize that it is not a death sentence as I had first thought, but rather a different way of life. There are days I still mentally struggle but I remind myself there are professionals researching cures for my autoimmune disease. This gives me the strength to deal with all the physical and mental hardships of Type 1 diabetes. Developing Type 1 Diabetes and being inspired by research professionals have solidified my desire to become a Physician’s Assistant. I intend to help others accept their chronic disease and live their lives to the fullest.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that attacks the pancreas and kills its ability to produce insulin. Insulin is needed to transport glucose out of the blood and into our cells for energy. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their daily struggles with it. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I too was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic wasn't easy, after all, I now had to monitor everything I ate and inject insulin into my body. Sometimes I would give too much insulin causing my blood sugar to go low and I felt terrible. I was learning the physical requirements of diabetes but my mental health was failing. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication intended to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. I endured multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. It was physically challenging but my mental health improved as I remained hopeful that the experimental medicine would cure or delay Type 1 Diabetes. I am proud that I had the strength and bravery to see past the potential risks to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. Over the last 3 years of living with an autoimmune disease, I have come to realize that it is not a death sentence as I had first thought, but rather a different way of life. My experience with this life-altering chronic illness has solidified my desire to become a healthcare worker; a Physician Assistant. In doing so, I plan to address the important social issue of underdiagnosed diabetes and inequality in healthcare. I plan to provide screening for chronic illness and education particularly on diabetes to help prevent complications that uncontrolled diabetes can cause. Rather than expecting patients to come to me, I plan to go out in my community. I want to lift others up in their environments such as schools, YMCAs, community centers or churches. I can reach more people by providing more opportunities to connect with me. It helps that I can relate to others dealing with the fear and depression that can accompany chronic illness. I believe this will help address the important social issues of inequality in healthcare and underdiagnosed diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that attacks the pancreas and kills its ability to produce insulin. Insulin is needed to transport glucose out of the blood and into our cells for energy. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their daily struggles with it. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I too was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic wasn't easy, after all, I now had to monitor everything I ate and inject insulin into my body. Sometimes I would give too much insulin causing my blood sugar to go low and I felt terrible. I was learning the physical requirements of diabetes but my mental health was failing. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication intended to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. I endured multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. It was physically challenging but my mental health improved as I remained hopeful that the experimental medicine would cure or delay Type 1 Diabetes. I am proud that I had the strength and bravery to see past the potential risks to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. Over the last 3 years of living with an autoimmune disease, I have come to realize that it is not a death sentence as I had first thought, but rather a different way of life. My experience with this life-altering chronic illness and being part of a revolutionary study, have inspired my desire to become a healthcare worker; a Physician Assistant. In doing so, I plan to increase the education on diabetes in the community to help prevent the many complications that uncontrolled diabetes can cause. Rather than expecting patients to come to me, I plan to go out in my community. I want to lift others up in their environments such as schools, YMCAs, community centers or churches. I can reach more people by providing more opportunities to connect with me. It helps that I can relate to others dealing with the fear and depression that can accompany chronic illness. This will better the future of those living in my community living with chronic illnesses.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that attacks the pancreas and kills its ability to produce insulin. Insulin is needed to transport glucose out of the blood and into our cells for energy. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their daily struggles with it. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I too was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic wasn't easy, after all, I now had to monitor everything I ate and inject insulin into my body. Sometimes I would give too much insulin causing my blood sugar to go low and I felt terrible. I was learning the physical requirements of diabetes but my mental health was failing. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication intended to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. I endured multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. It was physically challenging but my mental health improved as I remained hopeful that the experimental medicine would cure or delay Type 1 Diabetes. I am proud that I had the strength and bravery to see past the potential risks to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. Over the last 3 years of living with an autoimmune disease, I have come to realize that it is not a death sentence as I had first thought, but rather a different way of life. My experience with this life-altering chronic illness has solidified my desire to become a healthcare worker; a Physician Assistant. In doing so, I plan to increase the education on diabetes in the community to help prevent the many complications that uncontrolled diabetes can cause. Rather than expecting patients to come to me, I plan to go out in my community. I want to lift others up in their environments such as schools, YMCAs, community centers or churches. I can reach more people by providing more opportunities to connect with me. It helps that I can relate to others dealing with the fear and depression that can accompany chronic illness. This will better the future for those living with chronic illnesses.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that attacks the pancreas and kills its ability to produce insulin. Insulin is needed to transport glucose out of the blood and into our cells for energy. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their daily struggles with it. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I too was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic wasn't easy, after all, I now had to monitor everything I ate and inject insulin into my body. Sometimes I would give too much insulin causing my blood sugar to go low and I felt terrible. I was learning the physical requirements of diabetes but my mental health was failing. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication intended to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. I endured multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. It was physically challenging but my mental health improved as I remained hopeful that the experimental medicine would cure or delay Type 1 Diabetes. I am proud that I had the strength and bravery to see past the potential risks to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. Over the last 3 years of living with an autoimmune disease, I have come to realize that it is not a death sentence as I had first thought, but rather a different way of life. My experience with this life altering chronic illness has solidified my desire to become a healthcare worker, a Physician Assistant. In doing so, I plan to increase the education on diabetes in the community to help prevent the many complications that uncontrolled diabetes can cause. Rather than expecting patients to come to me, I plan to go out in my community. I want to lift others up in their environments such as schools, YMCAs, community centers or churches. I can reach more people by providing more opportunities to connect with me. It helps that I can relate to others dealing with the fear and depression that can accompany chronic illness. This will better the future for those living with chronic illnesses.

My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their struggles with it daily. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I experienced the symptoms of diabetes and was inevitably diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic was not easy, after all, diabetes has many physical and mental challenges. Fortunately, there have been many advancements in technology for the treatment of diabetes. The continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM) has revolutionized diabetes treatment. In 1970 when my father was diagnosed with diabetes, the only way to accurately check the level of glucose or "sugar" in his blood was to go to the hospital for a blood test. Home testing machines weren't invented until many years later. When my brother was diagnosed in 2010, home testing machines were readily available. It involved pricking your finger with a small needle and testing the blood with a glucometer. This was very painful and time-consuming. My father and brother did this at least 6 times daily. The information was helpful but was only accurate at that moment in time. Fast forward to 2020 when I was diagnosed. I used a CGM. It is a small device that you apply to your arm. It has a small wire that is inserted into the tissue. This small wire reads your blood glucose every 5 minutes. It can even send a signal to your phone to alert you to an impending low or high blood sugar level. The CGM I use was painless for me. Even better than it being painless, it was accurate which is crucial when I had to give myself insulin. CGMs have provided diabetics with an accurate and painless way to monitor their blood glucose levels. CGMs have improved the world for people with diabetes like myself, my brother and my father.

As an athlete, I know what it’s like to be injured and have learned patience throughout the healing process. However, being afflicted with a chronic health condition has proven to be the most influential journey in teaching me resilience and self-discovery. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that attacks the pancreas and kills its ability to produce insulin. Insulin is needed to transport glucose out of the blood and into our cells for energy. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their daily struggles with it. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I too was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic wasn't easy, after all, I now had to monitor everything I ate and inject insulin into my body. Sometimes I would give too much insulin causing my blood sugar to go low and I felt terrible. I was learning the physical requirements of diabetes but my mental health was failing. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication intended to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. I endured multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. It was physically challenging but my mental health improved as I remained hopeful that the experimental medicine would cure or delay Type 1 Diabetes. I am proud that I had the strength and bravery to see past the potential risks to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. Over the last 3 years of living with an autoimmune disease, I have come to realize that it is not a death sentence as I had first thought, but rather a different way of life. There are days I still mentally struggle but I remind myself there are professionals researching cures for my autoimmune disease. This gives me the strength to deal with all the physical and mental hardships of Type 1 diabetes. Developing Type 1 Diabetes and being inspired by research professionals have solidified my desire to become a Physician’s Assistant. I am committed to reaching my goals to help others with autoimmune diseases.

In my life, there have been several moments that could be classified as life-changing. Every new experience was, in one way or another, a big or small change in the course of my life. One of the most transformative moments in my life to date was when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15. My father and brother also have type 1 diabetes. It is a hereditary disease, and I saw them struggle with it every day. As I grew up with my brother and dad having the disease, we were always fearful that I would get it too. As I started to get older, the fear of getting the disease faded away a little each year since diabetes typically is diagnosed under the age of 10. At the age of 15, I too was diagnosed with the devastating disease. I solely focused on the negatives knowing it was painful, embarrassing, and often downright depressing. I felt sorry for myself. I didn’t face adversity with bravery or strength until a research nurse came to talk to my family about being part of something bigger, a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics. I am proud that I face adversity with bravery to partake in the study. The research medicine had so many unknowns and so many possible negative outcomes including death. After weighing the benefits compared to the negatives, I committed to the 2-year study. I overcame the fear to be part of a study so that I could help advance the care for others diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I am proud that I did not quit even after weeks of lab draws, multiple intravenous sites and physical pains. When I was confronted with the adversity of type 1 Diabetes, I overcame the mental challenges that encompasses the disease by focusing on helping others. This devastating diagnosis has given me the passion to help others living with chronic diseases to lead happy, healthy, and full lives. Without being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, I could only imagine what others go through daily living with their disability. Now I live it and realize being inspired by it is the inly path to live by. The combination of living with a challenging disease and participating in the research study has solidified my desire to work in healthcare. I have started my undergraduate journey at Western Michigan University. I am confident that I will reach my career goal to be a Physician's Assistant who is devoted to caring for other to overcome adversity and inspire them to live their lives to the fullest. This scholarship that represents how Audra Dominguez lived would be a true honor to receive. I hope my bravery will inspire others as Audra’s bravery has.

In my life, there have been several moments that could be classified as life-changing. Every new experience was, in one way or another, a big or small change in the course of my life. One of the most transformative moments in my life to date was when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15. My father and brother also have type 1 diabetes. It is a hereditary disease, and I saw them struggle with it every day. As I grew up with my brother and dad having the disease, we were always fearful that I would get it too. As I started to get older, the fear of getting the disease faded away a little each year since diabetes typically is diagnosed under the age of 10. The fear became a reality when I was 15. The entire month of October 2019 was rough. I continuously felt like I had a pound of bricks sitting on my chest while someone was taking their hand and squeezing my airway, causing problems breathing. I was struggling in gymnastics and school. Almost every year, I would have problems breathing, and we had no idea why. I always went on prednisone, a steroid medicine that would lift the weight on my chest, and I would feel like I could breathe again. That was not the case this time. The prednisone did not help like it usually did. On October 27th, I struggled more than usual to breathe and couldn't stop drinking water or going to the bathroom. Knowing the signs of diabetes, I used my brother's glucometer and it read 489. The normal blood sugar range is between 75-120. I dropped to the floor sobbing, not knowing what was going on or what was happening with my body. My parents drove me to the emergency room and then were transferred to a specialized children's hospital by ambulance. After several tests, the doctor delivered the news, "I’m sorry, you have Type 1 Diabetes”. I was so mad and felt out of control. My initial reaction was diabetes would ruin my life and obstruct my happiness. It was a quick moment of self-defeat. I decided to change how I viewed my new life to live a happier and more fulfilled life. I credit this quick attitude adjustment to my many years of participating in gymnastics. Gymnastics has taught me many life lessons. Changing my attitude has been one of the most impactful aspects. If I am mad because a skill is not coming together, I adjust my attitude to welcome the mistakes and learn from them. Once I allow my mind to embrace the mistakes, the skill comes together easier. Once I switched the way I viewed my life with diabetes, it felt as if everything in my life would improve.

D=dedicated O=obedient G=goofy S=special Each dog has its own story. When you talk to other dog owners, they will proudly tell tales of their dog's antics. Dogs make such an impact on their owners' lives. In my case, my family's dog died when I was only 10 years old. When I asked to get another dog, my parents said they "mourn" daily over our dog's death. They were set against getting another dog because the pain existed daily. Finally, they rewarded me with our dog, Serena, after I begged and begged. It only took 6 years! She has turned our family around! We use to go to our own rooms but now, we come together in the living room to have time with her. She greets us at the door with a "gift" that is often a shoe that someone didn't put in the closet. My parents now walk daily to give her exercise but they are also exercising themselves. My dad and I have Type 1 Diabetes. Our dog is always with my dad or me, laying close to or against one of us when we are home. She especially comes to me when my blood glucose level is low or I don't feel well. My mother thinks she can sense when I feel bad even without training for this. I love to watch how she discovered the world as a puppy. She would bark and jump around at her reflection in the window because she was so excited another dog came to play with her. She soon learned that it was just her. She plays fetch daily. She will go up the stairs with her ball and lay at the top, placing her ball between her paws. Then she will nudge her nose against the ball to bounce it down the stairs. As she lays at the top of the stairs, staring at the ball, she lifts her butt in the air and crouches down in the front getting ready to pounce on the ball. She holds this position until she is sure the ball is not going to get away, all the while, her butt is moving back and forth like she is dancing. She does this over and over until she tires of running up and down the stair. It is a treat to watch! Before Serena, our family lived together and loved each other but with Serena, our house is more loving and lively. We still talk about our dog that died when I was 10 but now it's about the happy things she did. Serena is our crazy, whack-a-doodle dog that we love so much and has brought more love and LIFE into our lives.

As a competitive gymnast, I know what it’s like to be injured and have learned patience throughout the healing process. However, being afflicted with a chronic health condition has proven to be the most influential journey in teaching me resilience and self-discovery. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their struggles with it daily. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I experienced the symptoms of diabetes and was inevitably diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic was not easy, after all it was unlike a gymnastics injury that would eventually heal itself. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication intended to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. It was physically and mentally challenging enduring multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. I am proud that I was brave enough to see past the potential risks in order to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. Like many who start college, the high financial cost becomes a reality. Despite years of saving, my parents and I will not be able to financially cover all the costs to attend college as an undergraduate, let alone medical school. My hope is to continue applying for all scholarships that I am eligible for to save for my future dream. I plan to complete my master's degree to become a Physician's Assistant. After this, I will work to see the area of medicine I am interested in pursuing. My parents have guided me to decide to obtain employment before attending medical school. My final goal is to become a Medical Doctor. I am sure this is possible by saving, winning scholarships, and working as a PA. Living with a challenging disease and being a research participant has sparked my desire to study to become a Physician’s Assistant so that I can work toward my final goal to become a Medical Doctor. I am committed to helping others with medical conditions like mine. It is important to me to help others to achieve productive, happy, healthy lives.

As a competitive gymnast, I know what it’s like to be injured and have learned patience throughout the healing process. However, being afflicted with a chronic health condition has proven to be the most influential journey in teaching me resilience and self-discovery. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their struggles with it daily. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I experienced the symptoms of diabetes and was inevitably diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic was not easy, after all, it was unlike a gymnastics injury that would eventually heal itself. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. It was physically and mentally challenging enduring multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. I am proud that I was brave enough to see past the potential risks in order to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. STEM consistents of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The major I am pursuing is Health Science. I would like to have a minor in Mathematics because I enjoy solving problems. There is a high probability I will study bioengineering. Living with a challenging disease and being a research participant has sparked my desire to study to become a Physician’s Assistant who is committed to helping others with medical conditions like mine. To accomplish this, I need higher education by completing a master's degree. I encourage my friends to continue their education past high school. This doesn't mean that they have to go to college to pursue a master's degree like I want to. Higher education means, learning in school, at a job or in life daily lessons. Expanding your brain in and out of the classroom is important to your growth. I was fortunate to have doctors and nurses that pursued higher education to provide specialized care for me when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Pursuing a higher education is important to me because it means it will allow me to help others in the medical field.

As a competitive gymnast, I know what it’s like to be injured and have learned patience throughout the healing process. However, being afflicted with a chronic health condition has proven to be the most influential journey in teaching me resilience and self-discovery. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their struggles with it daily. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I experienced the symptoms of diabetes and was inevitably diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic was not easy, after all, it was unlike a gymnastics injury that would eventually heal itself. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. It was physically and mentally challenging enduring multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. I am proud that I was brave enough to see past the potential risks in order to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. STEM consistents of Science, Techonology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The major I am pursuing is Health Science. I would like to have a minor in Mathematics because I enjoy solving problems. There is a high probability I will study bioengineering. The combination of mathematics in the engineering field and biology is very appealing. I live with a challenging disease and I participated in a research. This combination has sparked my dream to help others with medical conditions like mine to stay healthy and positive about their future.

As a competitive gymnast, I know what it’s like to be injured and have learned patience throughout the healing process. However, being afflicted with a chronic health condition has proven to be the most influential journey in teaching me resilience and self-discovery. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their struggles with it daily. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I experienced the symptoms of diabetes and was inevitably diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic was not easy, after all, it was unlike a gymnastics injury that would eventually heal itself. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. It was physically and mentally challenging enduring multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. I am proud that I was brave enough to see past the potential risks in order to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. I remain hopeful that the experimental treatment will be approved and I can again receive the medication that has stopped the progression of Type 1 Diabetes. Throughout the time I participated in the PROTECT research study, I maintained a rigorous gymnastic schedule as well as recovered from torn ligaments in my ankle. I am a daily survivor of diabetes. My dream of continuing gymnastics in college has come true. I survived torn ankle ligaments and rehabbed back to full function. My coach gave me an award, "WARRIOR" because throughout the past 3 years of struggles I've overcome and have maintained a positive outlook on life. My approach in life is to be optimistic and positive about my future. I know living with diabetes is a struggle and injuries or hardship will occur but it is LIFE. LIFE is definitely worth living for. The combination of living with a challenging disease and being a research participant has sparked my desire to study to become a Physician’s Assistant. I plan to help others with medical conditions like mine to remain healthy but more importantly positive about their future.

As a competitive gymnast, I know what it’s like to be injured and have learned patience throughout the healing process. However, being afflicted with a chronic health condition has proven to be the most influential journey in teaching me resilience and self-discovery. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their struggles with it daily. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I experienced the symptoms of diabetes and was inevitably diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic was not easy, after all, it was unlike a gymnastics injury that would eventually heal itself. Fortunately, there have been many advancements in technology since my father was diagnosed in 1976 and my brother in 2010! In the 70s, my father told me he checked his urine before he ate to see if it had sugar in it. It didn't give a level, just a yes or no so you had to guess as to how much. In 2010, my brother had to prick his finger 7 times a day to see what his blood sugar. It only told him his level at that time. It could go up or down quickly and he would not know it unless he pricked his finger again. When I was diagnosed, I used a continuous glucose monitoring device that was so simple! It is a device that reads your blood sugar every 5 minutes! It sends a signal to your phone if your blood sugar is going down or up too quickly. It is painless and accurate. Technology has made life less painful for diabetics and even better, more accurate which helps to reduce the complications from diabetes. Living with a challenging disease has sparked my desire to study science or engineering. I hope to become either a Bioengineer or a Physician's assistant. I am committed to helping others with medical conditions like mine.

As a competitive gymnast, I know what it’s like to be injured and have learned patience throughout the healing process. However, being afflicted with a chronic health condition has proven to be the most influential journey in teaching me resilience and self-discovery. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their struggles with it daily. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I experienced the symptoms of diabetes and was inevitably diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic was not easy, after all, it was unlike a gymnastics injury that would eventually heal itself. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication intended to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. During that two-year study, I endured multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. It was a life journey I would repeat even though it was tough and very scary at times. After examining my life, I believe my most valuable characteristic in myself is bravery. It took bravery to be part of a research study to test a medication that could potentially harm or even kill me. I am thankful I was brave so that others with diabetes can live a better life. I am proud that I was brave enough to see past the potential risks in order to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. As I continue on to college, I will be part of the Western Michigan University's gymnastic team. Collegiate gymnastics takes extra time and commitment but I feel it will better prepare me for future life challenges. If I can handle gymnastics, college, and diabetes, I can handle anything. My most valued characteristic, bravery has allowed me to say yes to college gymnastics. The combination of living with a challenging disease, being a research participant, committing to be a collegiate gymnast, and my most valued characteristic, bravery will help me complete my life journey to become a healthcare professional. I am confident that I will succeed in my ultimate goal to be a Physician's Assistant to help others who have medical conditions like mine.

As a competitive gymnast, I know what it’s like to be injured and have learned patience throughout the healing process. However, being afflicted with a chronic health condition has proven to be the most influential journey in teaching me resilience and self-discovery. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their struggles with it daily. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I experienced the symptoms of diabetes and was inevitably diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic was not easy, after all, it was unlike a gymnastics injury that would eventually heal itself. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication intended to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. It was physically and mentally challenging enduring multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. I am proud that I was brave enough to see past the potential risks in order to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. While being treated for Type 1 Diabetes and during the research study, I encountered many different aspects of the healthcare environment. During this time, I witnessed firsthand the skill and commitment of each and every nurse I received care from. The doctors guided the care but the nurse executed the delivery of care in a loving and kind manner. During my research study, one nurse in particular took extra time to teach me how to draw up "blood" by utilizing saline instead of real blood. She knew I had an interest in healthcare and wanted to touch and feel all the equipment they used on me while I receive the research medicine. She let me have hands-on experience while I received the research medicine. It was not part of her job description to teach me, but it was part of her as a nurse to teach, guide, and inspire all that want to learn. The combination of living with a challenging disease and being a research participant has sparked my desire to study to become a health care professional such as a nurse who is committed to helping others with medical conditions like mine.

My parents gave me great advice when I got my first job. They said money is hard to earn but easy to spend therefore calculate the worth of the item compared to the time it takes to pay for it. I didn't really understand the concept until I had money in my hand to purchase my first coffee drink from Starbucks. I quickly learned that an $8 drink equaled an hour of work! I didn't receive much enjoyment from drinking the sweet, sugary drink and knew I didn't have enough time in my life to waste working an hour to pay for an overpriced drink! On the other hand, I decided to purchase a new shirt on sale for $30. I knew I'd wear it all season, multiple times. It would take around 3 hours of work to buy it. In my mind, 3 hours was worth the effort to wear this beautiful shirt for more than 3 months! I like to see my savings account grow with each paycheck I receive. I have 2 separate accounts; savings, and checking. I put at least half of my paycheck into my savings account and then invest it into a mutual fund when my savings is greater than $1000. It takes time but once it is in the mutual fund, the money grows quickly! My parent's financial advice was great. So now my payment calculator is this: "time worked" = "enjoyment value" then buy it but if not SAVE it. Time is precious, it's worth more than money.

D=dedicated O=obedient G=goofy S=special Each dog has its own story. When you talk to other dog owner, they will proudly tell tales of their dog's antics. Dogs make such an impact on their owners' lives. In my case, my family's dog died when I was only 10 years old. When I asked to get another dog, my parents said they "mourn" daily over our dog's death. They were set against getting another dog because the pain existed daily. Finally, they rewarded me with our dog, Serena, after I begged and begged. It only took 6 years! She has turned our family around! We use to go to our own rooms but now, we come together in the living room just to have time with her. She greets us at the door with a "gift" that is often a shoe that someone didn't put in the closet. My parents now walk daily to give her exercise but they are also exercising themselves. My dad and I have Type 1 Diabetes. Our dog is always with me or my dad, laying close to us or against one of us when we are home. She especially comes to me when my blood glucose level is low or I don't feel well. My mother thinks she can sense when I feel bad even without training for this. I love to watch how she discovered the world as a puppy. She would bark and jump around at her reflection in the window because she was so excited another dog came to play with her. She soon learned that it was just her. She plays fetch daily. She will go up the stairs with her ball and lay at the top, placing her ball between her paws. Then she will nudge her nose against the ball to bounce it down the stairs. As she lays at the top of the stairs, staring at the ball, she lifts her butt in the air and crouches down in the front getting ready to pounce on the ball. She holds this position until she is sure the ball is not going to get away, all the while, her butt is moving back and forth like she is dancing. She does this over and over until she tires of running up and down the stair. It is a treat to watch! Before Serena, our family lived together and loved each other but with Serena, our house is more loving and lively. We still talk about our dog that died when I was 10 but now it's about the happy things she did. Serena is our crazy, whack-a-doodle dog that we love so much!

My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their struggles with it daily. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I experienced the symptoms of diabetes and was inevitably diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic was not easy, after all, it was unlike a sport's injury that would eventually heal itself. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication intended to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. It was physically and mentally challenging enduring multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. I am proud that I was brave enough to see past the potential risks in order to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes and I hope when others remember me, they will remember what I sacrificed and why I participated; to advance the treatment and eventual cure to Type 1 Diabetes.

As a competitive gymnast, I know what it’s like to be injured and have learned patience throughout the healing process. However, being afflicted with a chronic health condition has proven to be the most influential journey in teaching me resilience and self-discovery. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their struggles with it daily. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I experienced the symptoms of diabetes and was inevitably diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic was not easy, after all, it was unlike a gymnastics injury that would eventually heal itself. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication intended to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. It was physically and mentally challenging enduring multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. I am proud that I was brave enough to see past the potential risks in order to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. The combination of living with a challenging disease and being a research participant has sparked my desire to study to become a Physician’s Assistant who is committed to helping others with medical conditions like mine.

Our dog died when I was only 10 years old. My parents always said they "mourned" daily and were set against getting another dog because the pain existed daily. Finally, after I begged and begged, they rewarded me with our dog, Serena. She has turned our family around! We use to go to our own rooms but now, we come together in the living room just to have time with her. She greets us at the door with a "gift" that is often a shoe that someone didn't put in the closet. My parents go for a walk daily to give her exercise but are also exercising themselves. I have diabetes and she stays by me when I don't feel well. My mother thinks she can sense when I feel bad. Our house is happy and lively now. We still talk about our dog that died when I was 10 but now it's about happy things. Spending time with our dog is a simple pleasure in my life that I wouldn't trade for anything! Serena is a crazy, whack-a-doodle (actually a labradoodle) dog that makes me happy!

Our dog died when I was only 10 years old. My parents always said they "mourned" daily and were set against getting another dog because the pain existed daily. Finally, after I begged and begged, they rewarded me with our dog, Serena. She has turned our family around! We use to go to our own rooms but now, we come together in the living room just to have time with her. She greets us at the door with a "gift" that is often a shoe that someone didn't put in the closet. My parents go for a walk daily to give her exercise but are also exercising themselves. I have diabetes and she stays by me when I don't feel well. My mother thinks she can sense when I feel bad. Our house is happy and lively now. We still talk about our dog that died when I was 10 but now it's about happy things. Serena is a crazy, whack-a-doodle (actually a labradoodle) dog that we love so much!

Our dog died when I was only 10 years old. My parents always said they "mourned" daily and were set against getting another dog because the pain existed daily. Finally, after I begged and begged, they rewarded me with our dog, Serena. She has turned our family around! We use to go to our own rooms but now, we come together in the living room just to have time with her. She greets us at the door with a "gift" that is often a shoe that someone didn't put in the closet. My parents go for a walk daily to give her exercise but are also exercising themselves. I have diabetes and she stays by me when I don't feel well. My mother thinks she can sense when I feel bad. Our house is happy and lively now. We still talk about our dog that died when I was 10 but now it's about happy things. Serena is a crazy, whack-a-doodle (actually a labradoodle) dog that we love so much!

As a competitive gymnast, I know what it’s like to be injured and have learned patience throughout the healing process. However, being afflicted with a chronic health condition has proven to be the most influential journey in teaching me resilience, self-discovery, and the power of a healthy lifestyle. My father and brother are Type 1 Diabetics, and I grew up witnessing their struggles with it daily. We feared that I too would inherit the disease but remained hopeful that I would not. Unfortunately, at age 15, I experienced the symptoms of diabetes and was inevitably diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Remaining optimistic was not easy, after all, it was unlike a gymnastics injury that would eventually heal itself. Fortunately, my spirits were lifted when I was asked to be a participant in a revolutionary research study for newly diagnosed diabetics called PROTECT. The study uses an experimental medication intended to stop my body from killing the cells that produce insulin and delay the onset of diabetes for months or even years. Realizing the benefits, I committed myself to the two-year study. It was physically and mentally challenging enduring multiple IVs, lab draws and extended hospital stays. I am proud that I was brave enough to see past the potential risks in order to help advance the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. The combination of living with a challenging disease and being a research participant has sparked my desire to study to become a Physician’s Assistant who is committed to helping others with medical conditions like mine to commit to a healthy lifestyle to minimize complications from their chronic illness.

Western Michigan University will provide an excellent education for me however the tuition is higher because it is out of my home state of Indiana. I didn't receive a gymnastic scholarship due to an injury but am thankful I will be able to continue my gymnastic career as a walk-on. I will need to pay out-of-state tuition. With this scholarship, I would be able to attend Western Michigan University and continue my gymnastic career.

My father and brother have type 1 diabetes. It is a hereditary disease, and I saw them struggle with it every day. As I grew up with my brother and dad having the disease, we were always fearful that I would get it too. As I started to get older, the fear of getting the disease faded away a little each year since diabetes typically is diagnosed under the age of 10. But at the age of 15, I too was diagnosed with this devasting disease. After I was diagnosed, I could only see the negatives to diabetes such as insulin shots, blood sugar checks, counting carbohydrates, lab draws. It was painful to go through and I started to feel sorry for myself until a research nurse came to talk to my family about being part of something bigger.....a better treatment for diabetes! The research study was called the PROTECT study. I am proud that I persevere through this difficult situation to be part of a research study that has helped advance the care for people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. The combination of living with a challenging disease and participating in the research study has solidified my desire to work in healthcare to help others. This devasting diagnosis has given me the passion to help others living with chronic diseases such as diabetes to lead a happy, healthy, and full life.

My father and brother have type 1 diabetes. It is a hereditary disease, and I saw them struggle with it every day. As I grew up with my brother and dad having the disease, we were always fearful that I would get it too. As I started to get older, the fear of getting the disease faded away a little each year since diabetes typically is diagnosed under the age of 10.  But at the age of 15, I too was diagnosed with this devasting disease. After I was diagnosed, I could only see the negatives to diabetes such as insulin shots, blood sugar checks, counting carbohydrates, lab draws. It was painful to go through and I started to feel sorry for myself until a research nurse came to talk to my family about being part of something bigger.....a better treatment for diabetes! The research study was called the PROTECT study. I am proud that I was brave enough to be part of a research study that has helped advance the care for people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. The combination of living with a challenging disease and participating in the research study has solidified my desire to work in healthcare to help others. This devasting diagnosis has given me the passion to help others living with chronic diseases such as diabetes to lead a happy, healthy, and full life.

It is "the something" that has deeply inspired me on my journey to become a Physician Assistant. "The something" is Type 1 Diabetes. My father and brother have type 1 diabetes. It is a hereditary disease, and I saw them struggle with it every day. As I grew up with my brother and dad having the disease, we were always fearful that I would get it too. As I started to get older, the fear of getting the disease faded away a little each year since diabetes typically is diagnosed under the age of 10.  But at the age of 15, I too was diagnosed with this devasting disease. After I was diagnosed, I could only see the negatives to diabetes such as insulin shots, blood sugar checks, counting carbohydrates, lab draws. It was painful to go through and I started to feel sorry for myself until a research nurse came to talk to my family about being part of something bigger.....a better treatment for diabetes! The research study was called the PROTECT study. My mom could only focus on all the cons to the study but I kept thinking of all the pros. The pro that kept coming through was the hope for a cure. Teplizumab, the experimental medication was to stop my body from killing the cells that make insulin. I knew I wanted to be part of a research study in order to help myself and others facing diabetes. My mom couldn't convince me to change my mind. She was afraid especially after reading all the potential problems that could occur. She kept saying, "I don't know about this. You could die from this". After realizing all of the benefits that could come from partaking in the study, I committed to it for 2 years. I'm glad I wasn't scared away. I am proud that I was brave enough to be part of a research study that has helped advance the care for people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This devasting diagnosis has given me the passion to help others living with chronic diseases such as diabetes to lead a happy, healthy, and full life. Without "the something", I could only imagine what my father, brother, and others go through daily. Now I live it and realize being inspired by it is the best path to live by. The combination of living with a challenging disease and participating in the research study has solidified my desire to work in healthcare. "The something" that inspires me to help others is Type 1 diabetes.

Why do I deserve this scholarship? I need texted help from scholarships to stay out of debt. I picked a out of state school that costs more then I anticipated but it fits perfectly for my career goals and I will be able to continue doing gymnastics. What are your academic and/or career goals? I want to finish an undergraduate degree in health care profession and go on to get a master’s as a Physician’s assistant. I hope my undergraduate degree will allow me the opportunity to work and go back to school with financial help from my employer. Tell me about a time you’ve overcome an obstacle. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when I was 15. It was hard to learn that I needed to check my blood sugar, get my insulin shot ready and calculate how many carbohydrates were in the meal before I ate. It was an obstacle I had to overcome to stay healthy. Now it is easier but the first few months, it was a struggle and I often failed by giving too much or not enough insulin.

In my life, there have been several moments that could be classified as life-changing. Every new experience was, in one way or another, a big or small change in the course of my life. One of the most transformative moments in my life to date was when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15. My father and brother also have type 1 diabetes. It is a hereditary disease, and I saw them struggle with it every day. As I grew up with my brother and dad having the disease, we were always fearful that I would get it too. As I started to get older, the fear of getting the disease faded away a little each year since diabetes typically is diagnosed under the age of 10. The fear became a reality when I was 15. The entire month of October 2019 was rough. I continuously felt like I had a pound of bricks sitting on my chest while someone was taking their hand and squeezing my airway, causing problems breathing. I always went on prednisone, a steroid medicine that would lift the weight on my chest, and I would feel like I could breathe again. That was not the case this time. The prednisone did not help like it usually did. On October 27, 2019, I struggled more than usual to breathe. I called my mom at work and asked, "Is there any reason I am so thirsty and cannot stop drinking or peeing?" She was silent and then said, “I'm going to need you to use your brother's glucometer and check your blood sugar.” I hung up and got the glucometer. My whole body was shaking as I checked my blood sugar. I stood watching the counter on the glucometer count down, 3...2...1.., it read 489. The normal blood sugar range is between 75-120. Immediately, I called my mother and told her. She said with a shaking voice, “I will be home as soon as I can”. I hung up the phone, and I dropped to the floor sobbing, not knowing what was going on or what was happening with my body. My parents drove me to our local emergency room where I received IV fluids. Then I was transferred to a pediatric hospital 3 hours away by ambulance. After several tests, the doctor delivered the news, "I’m sorry, you have Type 1 Diabetes”. I was so mad and felt out of control. My initial reaction was diabetes would ruin my life and obstruct my happiness. It was a quick moment of self-defeat. I promised myself to stay positive to deal with all the constant challenges of diabetes. At the hospital, a research nurse spoke to my parents and me about a 2 years research study called The PROTECT study. My parents worried about the side effects of the research medication including death but I told them "I want to make a positive difference for all those being diagnosed with diabetes". I witness the struggles my brother and father had with diabetes and knew this could be a life-changing medication for so many being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Today, I am delighted to share that I am in "remission" according to my endocrinologist! The journey from being diagnosed to now was hard. I am glad I persuaded my parents to allow me to join the research study so I could make a positive impact on the world, especially the world of diabetes!

I have many different hobbies. My favorite hobby has to be gymnastics. I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I devote 20 or more hours a week to the gym. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. Being a gymnast has taught me many life lessons. Being organized is one life lesson that I have learned. I organize my room and bathroom to make the most of the time I have when I am home. I organize my assignments for school to assure I will have sufficient time to complete them. Another life lesson I have gained from my favorite hobby is time management. My mornings begin at 6 am. I attend a vocational school to become a certified nursing assistant and then go to my high school to complete honors classes. Immediately after school, I travel to my gym which is 45 minutes away. When I come home after a 4-hour practice at 9 pm, I manage my time to eat dinner, take a shower and complete my homework. It is a long day but worth it for what it teaches me. As I read over the essay I wrote so far, I can see that most people reading it would think, "well that hobby doesn't look fun". Besides gymnastics teaching me many life lessons, it has provided me with so much enjoyment! I love going to the gym to see my friends that are like sisters to me. I love the fact that each practice is a new challenge to gain a new skill or to perfect an old one. It is not boring! It is not easy! It is hard work! It is complicated! It is my favorite hobby that makes me who I am! I am happy, confident, and ready to face the next step in my life as a college freshman!

One technology that I was excited about when I was diagnosed with diabetes was the continuous glucose monitoring system. I started out with a Freestyle libre and it was so simple to check my blood sugar with a swipe of my phone over the transmitter attached to my arm. I wasn't embarrassed to swipe and look at my phone compared to taking out a glucometer, pricking my finger to get blood out, and then waiting for what seemed like forever for the glucometer to read my blood glucose level so I could start eating. Eventually, I changed to the Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring system and it was even better! It sent my blood sugar readings straight to my phone without swiping my arm. At any point in the day, I could look at my phone to see my level and if I was going dangerously high or low. I am excited about the many advancements made by engineers in the healthcare industry. I dream of the day when the insulin pump will be smart enough to give the right amount of insulin at all times so that I will never have to experience another high or low blood sugar again. My endocrinologist is smart and saved my life when I was first diagnosed with diabetes but engineers will make my life easier to live with all the innovative technology they are creating. My goal is to become a Physician's assistant. I hope to work with engineers to develop technology that will lift the burden of diabetes for countless people. The continuous glucose monitoring systems have been a game-changer for diabetics but more can and will be done as engineers and physicians work together to advance technology in all aspects of the healthcare field. I am excited to someday be part of the solution!

I have learned that earning money during my summer and fall employment is hard but spending it is easy! The trick to saving is calculating the worth of the item I am spending money on. For example, when I go out to eat, spending $3 on a soda pop that I don't receive much enjoyment from is not worth the 30 minutes it takes me to earn the money to purchase it. An example when I purchase a new shirt for $40 and I know it will be an item I will wear all season, multiple times, then it is worth the 4 hours of work for me to buy it. If the time worked is equal to the enjoyment value then I will use my money to purchase it. I like to see my savings account grow with each paycheck I receive. I have 2 separate accounts, savings, and spending. I put at least half of my paycheck into my savings account and then invest it into a mutual fund when my savings is greater than $1000. It takes time but once it is in the mutual fund, the money grows quickly!

Hello! My name is Brenna. I am a competitive level 10 gymnast. I devote 20 hours a week to the gym. I have maintained a 3.85 GPA while taking many advanced placement classes. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. Each day, I continue to work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent complications from diabetes. My long-term goal to become a Physician's Assistant.

Hello! My name is Brenna Woodruff. I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I devote 20 or more hours a week to the gym. In addition, I work at our local orchard in the bakery. I have been able to maintain a 3.85 GPA while taking many advanced placement classes. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. My work ethic will help me to achieve my long-term goal to become a Physician's Assistant. In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. Each day, I continue to work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent complications from diabetes.

Hello! My name is Brenna Woodruff. I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I devote 20 or more hours a week to the gym. In addition, I work at our local orchard in the bakery. I have been able to maintain a 3.85 GPA while taking many advanced placement classes. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. My work ethic will help me to achieve my long-term goal to become a Physician's Assistant. In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. Each day, I continue to work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent complications from diabetes.

Hello! My name is Brenna Woodruff. I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I devote 20 or more hours a week to the gym. In addition, I work at our local orchard in the bakery. I have been able to maintain a 3.85 GPA while taking many advanced placement classes. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. My work ethic will help me to achieve my long-term goal to become a Physician's Assistant. In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. Each day, I continue to work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent complications from diabetes.

Hello! My name is Brenna Woodruff. I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I devote 20 or more hours a week to the gym. In addition, I work at our local orchard in the bakery and coach at my gymnastic center. I have been able to maintain a 3.85 GPA while taking many advanced placement classes. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. When looking at scholarships, I was struck by the statement “the only thing that cannot be taken away from you is Education.” My parents have always taught me that an education is something you can never lose and is worth the effort to achieve. They told me education is in all forms such as sports, fun activities, my work, and formal education at school. Learning is all around us. I have a dream to become a Physician's Assistant. It will be challenging but I am confident that it will become a reality. Through science, I will have the opportunity to help others with chronic diseases such as diabetes. I'm excited to continue my education at college and am looking forward to many new experiences.

In my life, there have been several moments that could be classified as life-changing. Every new experience was, in one way or another, a big or small change in the course of my life. One of the most transformative moments in my life to date was when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15. On October 27th, I stayed home from school because I didn't feel well. I slept all day and could not stop drinking water or going to the bathroom. I called my mom at work and asked, "Is there any reason I am so thirsty and cannot stop drinking or peeing?" She was silent and then said, “I'm going to need you to use your brother's glucometer and check your blood sugar.”  I hung up and got the glucometer. My whole body was shaking as I checked my blood sugar. I stood watching the counter on the glucometer count down, 3, 2, 1, it read 489. The normal blood sugar range is between 75-120. I dropped to the floor sobbing, not knowing what was going on or what was happening with my body.  My parents drove me immediately to our local emergency room who then transferred me by ambulance to a children's hospital. After several tests, the doctor delivered the news, "I’m sorry, you have Type 1 Diabetes”.  I was so mad and felt out of control. My initial reaction was diabetes would ruin my life and obstruct my happiness. It was a quick moment of self-defeat. I decided to change how I viewed my new life to live a happier and more fulfilled life. Once I switched the way I viewed my life with diabetes, it felt as if everything in my life would improve.

I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I devote 20 or more hours a week to the gym. In addition, I work at our local orchard in the bakery. I have been able to maintain a 3.85 GPA while taking many advanced placement classes. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. My work ethic will help me to achieve my long-term goal to become a Physician's Assistant. In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. I exercise. I work. I learn. Is this enough for a long, healthy life? I believe the best way to live a long, healthy life is to exercise, to work hard, to learn every day but most of all, to take time to be thankful.

I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I devote 20 or more hours a week to the gym. In addition, I work at our local orchard in the bakery. I have been able to maintain a 3.85 GPA while taking many advanced placement classes. Only 10% of gymnasts do gymnastics in college. My short-term dream is to do gymnastics in college. It will be hard to achieve but I am confident it will happen. My work ethic will help me to achieve my long-term dream to become a Physician's Assistant. In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. Each day, I continue to work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent complications from diabetes so that I can achieve my dream life.

I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I devote 20 or more hours a week to the gym. In addition, I work at our local orchard in the bakery. I have been able to maintain a 3.85 GPA while taking many advanced placement classes. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. My work ethic will help me to achieve my long-term goal to become a Physician's Assistant. In my community, I volunteer by doing things such as blood drives, cleaning at the animal shelters, or helping at local events. After volunteering at these events, I am praised for my assistance. The people who work at the events are often overworked and are thankful for us that volunteer. They are happy we help and I am happy I could help. I want to volunteer because I know it helps the overworked employees and the community I live in.

I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I devote 20 or more hours a week to the gym. In addition, I work at our local orchard in the bakery. I have been able to maintain a 3.85 GPA while taking many advanced placement classes. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. My work ethic will help me to achieve my long-term goal to become a Physician's Assistant. I invest my time and energy into my education, my sport, and my work. My parents have taught me that what I invest in will grow. This includes money in a bank, time spent in a gymnastic gym, or time learning at school. I have grown financially by devoting time to work. I am at the top level of gymnastics by devoting 20 hours weekly to the gym. I am at the top of my class by devoting many hours to my studies. I have invested my time wisely and have grown because of it.

In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes makes it hard to be optimistic because you are told all the horrible things that can happen when your blood sugar level is not in a good range. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. I learned that professionals are working every day to find ways to better my life and others that have diabetes. If I am depressed, I remind myself that one day, I too will join the healthcare professionals to find ways to cure diseases like diabetes. My goal in life is to be a Physician's Assistant. In that role, I plan to show others through my lifestyle that living with diabetes doesn't have to be a death sentence.

I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I devote 20 or more hours a week to the gym. In addition, I work at our local orchard in the bakery. I have been able to maintain a 3.85 GPA while taking many advanced placement classes. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. My work ethic will help me to achieve my long-term goal to become a Physician's Assistant. In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. Each day, I continue to work hard to stay true to myself and maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent complications from diabetes.

I have been working for 2 years during summers and into the falls. I have been excited by the amount of money growing in my bank account. When we started looking at college, my parents gave me an amount that they could afford. I compared how much money I had in the bank to the amount they told me they could be paid. It was hard to imagine that I worked 2 full summers and 2 full falls to see my bank account would only pay for less than 1/3 of my first year of college! This helped motivate me to look at ways I could help my parents such as applying for college scholarships. The goal for me and my parents is to pay for college without loans. It is also important that I finish college with an education that will allow me to support myself and not be a burden to my parents.

In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 15. My brother was diagnosed with diabetes, 9 years prior to me. A blood glucometer is used to measure the level of "sugar" in your blood. It requires a painful prick to the finger to obtain blood to use to determine the level of sugar in the blood. When my brother was diagnosed, he pricked his finger a minimum of 6 times a day and he built up scar tissue on his fingertip. In comparison, when I was diagnosed 9 years later, I used a continuous glucose monitoring system. This system sends a signal from a transmitter to my phone. I can see what my blood glucose level is at all times. I apply the transmitter to my arm every 10 days. It is not painful and it gives me real-time data of what my blood "sugar" is so I know how much insulin I should give when I eat or drink. This technology has changed the lives of so many people with type 1 diabetes including my brother. For me, it made life with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes not as scary. Each day, I continue to work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent complications from diabetes.

I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. My work ethic will help me to achieve my long-term goal to become a Physician's Assistant. In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. Food is fuel to allow my body to do all that I love to do. I know what I eat affects my blood sugar and in turn how I feel. Eating an apple with peanut butter is my go-to when I am hungry. I love going to the grocery store to find items that are both delicious and healthy. Each day, I continue to work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent complications from diabetes.

My parents have saved my whole life into a 529 education plan. This will give me the opportunity to attend college without a large amount of debt. I plan to work during the summer, investing half of what I make to pay for extra items in college. I continue to work hard at gymnastics and will hope to be a walk-on gymnast at the college I attend. This may turn into a scholarship in future years if I stay persistent with good grades. I also plan to attend graduate school but if I don't have enough available funds without a loan, I plan to start working. I will look for employment that offers reimbursement for schooling.

Save half of everything you make and invest!

In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. Each day, I continue to work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent complications from diabetes. With my college education, I plan to work in the health care field to help others accept and embrace their chronic illness or recover from an acute illness. Being part of the research community has sparked my interest in what I can do after college to advance technology in diabetes and other chronic diseases.

I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I devote 20 or more hours a week to the gym. In addition, I work at our local orchard in the bakery and coach at my gymnastic center. I have been able to maintain a 3.85 GPA while taking many advanced placement classes. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. My work ethic will help me to achieve my long-term goal to become a Physician's Assistant. In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. Each day, I continue to work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent complications from diabetes. When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I was also enrolled in the Advanced Placement art program at my high school. My goal was to create artwork that would inspire design for future advancements in science. By creating sculptures, I opened my mind to the possibility of things that do not exist! To dream through the arts allows you to create future designs that will empower those with a chronic illness like diabetes.

How can Art and STEM make the world a better place together? When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I was also enrolled in the Advanced Placement art program at my high school. My goal was to create artwork that would inspire design for future advancements in science. By creating sculptures, I opened my mind to the possibility of things that do not exist! To dream through the arts allows you to create future designs that will empower those with a chronic illness like diabetes. About me: I am a competitive level 10 artist gymnast. I devote 20 or more hours a week to the gym. In addition, I work at our local orchard in the bakery and coach at my gymnastic center. I have been able to maintain a 3.85 GPA while taking many advanced placement classes. I am motivated to do gymnastics in college. My work ethic will help me to achieve my long-term goal to become a Physician's Assistant. In 2019, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had the opportunity to participate in an experimental research study called The PROTECT study. It was challenging both physically and mentally, but I gained the benefits of seeing another side of the healthcare industry. Each day, I continue to work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent complications from diabetes. With my college education, I plan to work in the health care field to help others accept and embrace their chronic illness or recover from an acute illness. Being part of the research community has sparked my interest in what I can do after college to advance technology in diabetes and other chronic disease.