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Kaya Hendrickson

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Anatomy
  • Art
  • Baking
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Ceramics And Pottery
  • Chess
  • Chemistry
  • Coffee
  • Cooking
  • Crafting
  • Crocheting
  • Geocaching
  • Medicine
  • Orchestra
  • Reading
  • Science
  • Self Care
  • Violin
  • Tattooing
  • Travel And Tourism
  • Swimming
  • STEM

Reading

  • Academic
  • Classics
  • Fantasy
  • Literature
  • Mystery
  • Novels
  • Short Stories

I read books multiple times a week.

Bio

I am currently a senior in high school, attending St. Cloud State University's PSEO program. After graduation, I will attend the University of Minnesota - Rochester, as part of their 4-year bachelor of science - health science program. I am going to school to obtain my M.D. and eventually become employed as a surgeon.

Education

Monticello Senior High

High School

2022 – 2025

Buffalo High School

High School

2021 – 2022

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Majors of interest:
Medicine
Desired degree modality:
Full-Time, Online
Medical school interest:
Yes

Career

  • cook

    Hospitality · RCBA

    Jan 2023 – Present

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
Become employed as a surgeon
Work experience:
2 years
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Politics
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
Elijah's Helping Hand Scholarship Award
Mental health has been something I have really struggled with over the past few years. In middle school and early high school, my mental health suffered not only from the bullying I was enduring, but also due to the suffering of my sisters. When I was 12, my twin was placed in a psych ward for two weeks. In my early high school years, my older sister was in and out of the psych ward, and my mother was terrified for the both of them. I knew she was depending on me to stay healthy for my own sake and hers. All of this was a heavy burden, as I was already struggling with my own mental health. I learned to suppress my own feelings to protect my mother from another having to go through even more stress, but as a result I was suffering alone, suppressing my emotions, and dealing with them in unhealthy ways. I got into the habit of dealing with my own mental health issues in private, wondering what I was doing wrong and caring more about my sisters' safety than my own. On May 12th 2023, I spent the night at my dad's house. I went to bed blissfully unaware of what was currently going on just minutes away. On May 13th, I woke up to my father screaming that my older sister, who was only 17, had committed suicide before he dashed out the door. He was gone for three hours before I had any updates. I was only 15, days away from being 16. That day changed my life forever. During the first hour that I waited, I immediately got up and packed my bags waiting for my dad to come and get me. I was hopeful that he and my mother had discovered her in time for her to be saved, but by the second hour of waiting I knew it was too late. After the third hour, my father picked me up and brought me to the house where she died where my aunt, uncle, and cousins were already waiting. The paramedics had already left, and her body was gone. I went to see my mother, but she was curled up where my sister had died, completely disassociated from the world around her. The days that passed after that are a blur to me, but my mother shut down. In the months that followed I watched as my mother became an alcoholic, even threatening her own life right in front of me. I knew someone had to take care of her, so I started taking over the cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping. Holding her up, whilst also trying to make sure my twin sister was safe, and processing my own emotions took a heavy toll on me, and eventually I chose to self harm instead of facing my problems. I constantly kept myself busy in order to avoid processing all that I had gone through. I acted like I was completely fine until I was all alone and I could deal with my emotions in my own ways. Now, a year and a half later, I still worry everyday about the safety of my family. I still struggle with my mental health and my intrusive thoughts, and I probably will for the rest of my life, but I am striving to become healthier. I have learned to deal with my emotions in safer ways, and I am currently trying to get out of the habit of keeping busy to avoid thinking about everything I have been through these past few years.
Kaya Hendrickson Student Profile | Bold.org