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Dante Maldonado

555

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

As a 16-year-old navigating life with ADHD and being on the autism spectrum, I’ve learned that true happiness comes from embracing what makes me unique. My passion for running, which I discovered in seventh grade, transformed my life, helping me feel more confident in myself. Despite struggling with anxiety during elementary school, where Sunday nights were filled with tears over the thought of school, I’ve found strength in building genuine connections with people who accept me. Through running, mindfulness, and supporting others, I’ve discovered that happiness isn’t about fitting in but about celebrating who I truly am and enjoying friendships with people that include me and understand my strengths and weaknesses.

Education

Yorba Linda High School

High School
2023 - 2025

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Sports

    • Dream career goals:

      Sports

      Cross-Country Running

      Varsity
      2017 – Present8 years

      Research

      • Computational Science

        Yorba Linda High School Course — Student Analyst
        2023 – 2024

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        Yorba Linda High School — Create welcoming environments for visiting schools
        2023 – 2024