I've always known I want to go into a career where I can help others. I am so thankful that I am fortunate enough to be in a position to be able to use my time to volunteer and help others who need it. I started volunteering with my mom when I was younger and joined the National Honor Society in high school. I loved going to different events and just doing whatever needed to be done. When I graduated and started college, I still volunteered on my own time but wanted to be part of a group that volunteered. I wanted more volunteer options presented to me. I am in my university's College of Health Professions and heard about a great opportunity through one of my courses. Some recruiters came and told my class about the College of Health Professions Ambassadors. The ambassadors are a selective group on our campus that represent the different programs within the College of Health Professions. It was explained to us that they put on events, volunteer, and fundraise. I was apprehensive to apply since it seemed so selective but I wanted to be part of this group so I applied and went through the interview. I was so excited to hear that I was accepted and that I got the privilege to serve in this group. The first event I got to be part of was a penny war against the College of Engineering to raise money for a local 15-year-old with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. It was such an incredible thing to see the fun competition all to support the boy and his family. My major in the College of Health Professions is pharmacy. I have always been interested in this career and spent some time thinking about how I could help people and my community while I am in this field. One thing I know personally is that medications and prescriptions can be very overwhelming. I have type one diabetes so while my list of prescriptions is manageable, it feels 10 miles long. My dad is a pharmacist and he is so much help when I need to refill my prescriptions or if I forget to take a medication. I know I would be so much more overwhelmed if I didn't have a close family member that worked in a pharmacy. I want to be able to be as helpful to my customers once I earn my degree as my dad is to me. Navigating the medical world is already overwhelming and I want the pharmacy part to be less stressful for people. I want to be there for my customers and help them to feel their best. I think my love for volunteering and helping others has taught me how to be compassionate and driven me to want my career to benefit my community.

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes two months before my freshman year of high school. I already had anxiety and worries about the big change from middle to high school and my diagnosis just piled onto it. I hated diabetes and just wanted to be normal. I was afraid kids would notice and treat me different. I went to several appointments and a counselor to learn about all the changes I would have to make in my life. Along with learning my new lifestyle, I accepted that diabetes is part of my life. However, in accepting that as part of my life, I also had to accept how incredibly expensive diabetes management is and that it will cost me a lot of money throughout the course of my life. Diabetes is a significant part of why I am passionate about receiving my education. I aspire to obtain a degree that can help me find a stable job that can cover the cost of my supplies. I am passionate about being able to pay for my supplies on my own and being able to support myself once I am living on my own. I know my education will help with that. I am also aware that if I have children in the future, their chance of developing type one diabetes is significantly higher. I want to be able to support them and cover all of their medical supplies. Another reason I am passionate about receiving my education is that I want to make an impact on others with conditions like mine. I am not decided on my major, but am leaning toward the medical field. I have considered perusing pharmacy with my education, to be able to help customers access and understand how to use their medication. When I first was diagnosed, I was overwhelmed by the amount of new prescriptions I had to keep track of. Test strips, insulin vials, needles, syringes, insulin pens, ketone tests, glucagon, and infusion sets all require a prescription. If it weren't for my pharmacy, I would never be able to keep track and I want to help others in a similar way. I have also considered something on the research side of the medical field. I would love to work towards a cure for diabetes so many like me can enjoy a normal life without worrying about paying for such expensive supplies. Overall, I am passionate about receiving my education because I want to be independent and capable of providing for my medical supplies and so if my children develop any kind of disease, they never have to worry about the expense. I also want to make a positive impact on people in my community or even around the world, whether it is receiving my education to become a local pharmacist or using it to discover a cure to diabetes.

In 2018 I was diagnosed with type one diabetes. My dad has it too so I was familiar with the basic ideas but being diagnosed myself turned my world upsidedown. I was a snacker, and now I had to take shots every single time I wanted to eat food. This seems relatively simple and kind of silly, but it is just one of the many aspects of my life that was changed. This was made more difficult by my fear of needles (ironic, I know). I cried about how my life would never be the same for a few days. My parents helped me through this tough time in my life. My dad taught me how to take care of it and my mom offered endless support and helped me take my mind off it. They let me have a pity party for a few days, then my mom told me I was going to take my drivers permit test to distract me. I started to realize that I was very fortunate to live in a time where there is so much technology to make diabetes more manageable and simply survivable. The whole first year of being diagnosed was hard. I had to relearn how I did many things in my life. My parents were so supportive and helpful during that time. I didn't stop doing the things I love, and even threw myself into them more to stay positive. I started playing guitar more and practicing viola to distract myself and stay happy. Music has become my outlet for many things and I lean on it heavily when I need to remain optimistic. The whole experience of being diagnosed and staying positive has helped me to realize I can get though anything with my parents and music.

When I first read this prompt, I thought I didn't have a favorite scientific discovery. Then I started thinking a little deeper. I started to realize science truly has impacted me in many ways and tried to think of what my favorite discovery might be. The discovery of the double helix is fascinating because I love genetics, but it's not my favorite. Electricity is something I tend to take for granted but is also not necessarily my favorite. Then it kind of hit me. I was diagnosed with type one diabetes in 2018. Not only is the discovery of insulin fascinating, but it is the reason I'm still alive, so I would have to say that has to be my favorite scientific discovery. It was discovered in 1921 so before that, people with type one diabetes were only expected to live for a year or two. I have so much to be thankful for but thanks to Frederick Banting, insulin is one more thing I can give thanks for. Not only did he save lives but he wanted insulin to be accessible for all so that is one more reason it is my favorite discovery. Thanks to this opportunity, I was able to reflect on everything science has given me. My recently realized favorite discovery is the reason I am still alive and able to experience all of the other amazing gifts science has given me.

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when I was 15 years old, two months before my freshman year of high school. I already had anxiety and worries about the big change from middle school to high school and then with my diagnosis, more worries flooded in. I was camping with my family in Duluth and felt thirsty the whole trip. Every touristy spot we stopped I was searching for a restroom. My dad has Type 1 as well so my parents knew what that meant, and it was confirmed around 2am in the ER when we got back home. After several appointments to learn about all of the changes I had to make in my life, I accepted the fact that Diabetes is not all I am, but it is certainly a big part of me. With this new burden came carrying my insulin pens, needles, glucose of some sort, my tester, and medical ID bracelet everywhere I went... including school. Many questions were asked. "Is that weird thing your phone?" "Do you have the good or bad diabetes?" "Can you eat sugar?" "Isn't that from eating too much sugar?" While some of these questions are not always asked in the best way, I always take the opportunity to help someone learn a little more about the disease that so many unfortunately have to manage. My friends now know how diabetes works and what to do in the event of an emergency. Even if I never have an emergency around them, they may be able to help a stranger experiencing a low blood sugar and potentially even save a life. Classmates are supportive and compliment the patches I put over my CGM (continuous glucose monitor) and loved the glittery one I wore to match my prom dress. Even though I sometimes feel tired of explaining what diabetes is, it is a good feeling to educate others and know they may be more accepting of others in the Type 1 community. Type 1 has also brought an amazing community into my life. My town has an incredible group on Facebook where everyone is willing to help out. Whether it is tips on new devices, borrowing and repaying supplies, or even just someone understanding to talk to, it can be found in our caring community. I have made friends in school who are diabetic and asked some who have been diagnosed longer questions. The overall Type 1 community even stretches farther than my town. I went on a vacation to Tennessee and a kind woman noticed my CGM. She came over to talk to my family and share her story and listen to mine. This disease has led me to a community that I am so thankful for. I am also thankful that diabetes has given me the benefit of getting closer to my dad and being able to learn from him. Since he was diagnosed when he was in high school too, he has given me the best advice. We bond over putting our CGMs on together, I help with his insulin pump supplies, and he helps with my shots. While I would never ask for diabetes myself, or wish it upon anyone else, I am at least grateful for the support from my dad and the bonding we have done (and sneaking snacks together when we are low). There are some days when I hate this disease and struggle all day to keep my sugars in range, but Diabetes is now a part of me and I am proud to educate others and thankful for the community and bonds.

“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed" -Theodore Roosevelt. This is a quote that means a lot to me. Every year, my family goes to Medora, North Dakota to explore the land that Theodore Roosevelt fell in love with. Theodore inspires me, and all of his quotes seem to apply to parts of my life, but I am fond of this one in particular. I am a very shy and reserved person so a lot of things are outside of my comfort zone. Worries constantly run through my mind like "What if I mess up... what will people think of me... what if I can't do it..." and on and on. However, when I let my fears and worries take over I wonder if I missed out. That is what this quote means to me. It is hard to fail but if you do, oh well. It is harder to miss out on something and wonder "what if I had just tried it?" This year I have been trying to apply this quote. A friend wanted me to try pole vaulting. I worried that I wouldn't be able to do it or that the other kids on the team would judge me. I joined and long story short, I had to quit due to an ankle injury. So, I technically "failed." I didn't go to meets, didn't go to state, and never even made it over the bar. Even though I "failed" I made friends, had fun, and ultimately gave it my best and don't have to wonder "what if?" I am proud of myself and how I have used to quote to push myself this year. I applied for student council, went ziplining, and joined my school's drumline. All of these things are out of my comfort zone but I didn't want to wonder "what if." I wanted to at least try to succeed. So far I was accepted into student council, had the time of my life above the trees of the Smokey Mountains, and have made friends and challenged myself to learn how to play the cymbals. Overall, this quote has helped me grow. I am still shy and reserved, but I am willing to push myself. Who cares if I fail? At least I can always say that I tried to succeed.