Walking in the college doors as a 16-year-old girl is the scariest thing ever. I had no friends and I didn't even know where to go. I had never been to St. Johns River State College before. And to make matters worse, this class was in Orange Park, an hour away from home and my friends. I attended class each Friday at the Orange Park campus of St. Johns River State College. Walking on that first day Walking in that first day I was on the verge of tears. I was so worried that no one would want to sit by me or talk to me because they would all know each other and I would be the loaner. I think my biggest fear of all was that I was gonna end up in class with a bunch of full-grown adults and feel very out of place. This made me feel very uncomfortable and unsure of what to do. I have never felt this way before. Honestly, I never had been the new kid. Every year of my school from preschool to high school, my first day was also my classmate's first day and we were new together. I live in a smaller town than many people so everyone knows each other. That being said, I typically moved up with the same people each year. I remember when one of our classmates was held back and that was the first time my group was separated. Many of my friends that I still have today were met in kindergarten or even before. Being the new kid for the first time last year made me think about how life could have been completely different. What if I hadn't gone to the same school as my friends in kindergarten? How would that have affected my life today? Sitting in the seat in the new classroom all I could do was smile at the classmates next to me. It was like the first day of kindergarten again. Instead of "Hi my name is Kayla and I like your Twinkle Toes" it was "Hi, I'm Kayla, nice to meet you." And just like that first day of kindergarten, a new friend was made. I feel that the experience of going to a new place and being the new kid was confidence-boosting for me. I learned to not be comfortable where I am and to reach out and try new things. That "new kid" experience opened a new chapter in my life where I have grown the newfound confidence to speak out for myself, to meet new people, to talk to strangers on the phone, and so much more. It made me realize that I have more goals in my life than to do the same things with the same people. My future goal is now to experience as much life as possible, while still taking my days one day at a time. I now know that being the new kid isn't bad and anything can be accomplished with the right mindset.

Ever since I was a child, I have been involved with the sport of gymnastics. Yes, the role has changed, but I can't seem to get away. After a botched surgery, I was left with too much scar tissue in my left knee where it no longer straightens. I had to stop gymnastics for my safety as I could no longer perform essential moves in the sport. I started volunteering at my gym and on my 15th birthday, I was offered a job. I started just teaching toddlers and beginners, but as time went on, I progressed pretty rapidly with my coaching skills. After just under a year of coaching beginners I began to coach intermediate and advanced classes. I also helped plan the summer camp for the summer of 2022. It felt so great to be a part of something so big. That summer, every week (we offer 10 weeks of camp) was sold out. As the summer finished, I began to coach the competitive team at the gym. I also started to help out with some administrative duties such as lesson planning and office duties. I was just learning, but it felt so exhilarating to play a role in the business that had changed my life in so many ways. Flash forward to this year and I am an 18-year-old playing not only a large role in the success of the ancient city gymnastics competitive team but also the success of the business. I can confidently say that I will one day take over the place that has been my comfort since day one. I know that I could make a positive impact on the gymnastics world by developing a business in gymnastics. Since I grew up in the sport, I have the knowledge from inside a gymnast's brain that will allow me to develop methods to best aid in the success of gymnasts. I have worked relentlessly to formulate ideas to not only bring gymnasts farther in their skill level but also develop them into successful young women who understand how to be successful in their sport and life. I strive to also protect young girls from the negativity that is following the sport of gymnastics. I know from my experiences that one bad coach can harm both physical and emotional health. One of my biggest aspirations with my business would be to have a space that is welcoming to all children. I plan on having a specific area and training regimen for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities that usually stop them from joining sports like gymnastics. I feel that it is most important to provide a Safe Haven for all people who walk in the door. I know that I can and will achieve this goal because of the drive and knowledge that I have attained with the help of my wonderful boss and mentor.

“You can’t change who you are and shouldn’t be asked to.” With this quote, Jonathan Mooney stressed accepting your diagnosis. Hiding under the covers will not help you. Know that you’re going to have to run a little faster than others to keep up. Coming into my 6th grade year, I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Prior to the start of middle school, I was known as an academically high achiever. In elementary school, I held the record for the most amount of Accelerated Reader points, which were earned by reading books and then passing tests concerning their contents. I had never gotten a B and was never one to act out. My family and I thought that the last person who would be diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder would be me. My struggles with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder became my little secret. I didn't know how to tell people, and quite frankly, I was scared to. A lot changed after my diagnosis and I had a hard time coming to terms with my new normal. I soon learned that if you don’t accept yourself, you’re going to spend so much more time worrying about what other people think. I once heard the quote “Acceptance is the first step to recovery" and it truly stuck with me. I now proudly can say that I thrive with my learning disability. Not too far into my ninth grade year, I started coaching gymnastics. My gym offers various programs, including competitive gymnastics, recreational gymnastics, tumbling, afterschool daycare, etc. While working with the afterschool daycare kids I met a little boy with autism. He struggled a lot in school and with doing his homework. While he may not have been able to subtract 10-5, he could tell you just about any fact about dinosaurs. In fact, almost four years later he still greets me each day with a new dinosaur fact. I made it my personal goal to get him to successfully complete his nightly homework assignment without help by the end of that year. Each day I worked with him, and in no time, he understood each of the problems on his homework sheet. Fast forward to this year, he has joined his school's math club! I knew that all he needed was the extra attention that some of my teachers gave me. Ever since then, I have been inspired. It was like a light turned on in my head. I want to work with the kids just like myself, that need extra attention. I am forever thankful for that little boy who inspired me to be the change.

“You can’t change who you are and shouldn’t be asked to.” With this quote, Jonathan Mooney stressed accepting your diagnosis. Hiding under the covers will not help you. Know that you’re going to have to run a little faster than others to keep up. Coming into my 6th grade year, I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Prior to the start of middle school, I was known as an academically high achiever. In elementary school, I held the record for the most amount of Accelerated Reader points, which were earned by reading books and then passing tests concerning their contents. I had never gotten a B and was never one to act out. My family and I thought that the last person who would be diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder would be me. My struggles with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder became my little secret. I didn't know how to tell people, and quite frankly, I was scared to. A lot changed after my diagnosis and I had a hard time coming to terms with my new normal. I soon learned that if you don’t accept yourself, you’re going to spend so much more time worrying about what other people think. I once heard the quote “Acceptance is the first step to recovery" and it truly stuck with me. I now proudly can say that I thrive with my learning disability. Not too far into my ninth-grade year, I started coaching gymnastics. My gym offers various programs, including competitive gymnastics, recreational gymnastics, tumbling, after-school daycare, etc. While working with the afterschool daycare kids I met a little boy with autism. He struggled a lot in school and with doing his homework. While he may not have been able to subtract 10-5, he could tell you just about any fact about dinosaurs. Almost four years later he still greets me each day with a new dinosaur fact. I made it my personal goal to get him to complete his nightly homework assignment without help by the end of that year. Each day I worked with him, and in no time, he understood each of the problems on his homework sheet. Fast forward to this year, he has joined his school's math club! I knew that all he needed was the extra attention that some of my teachers gave me. Ever since then, I have been inspired. It was like a light turned on in my head. My education goal is to get my bachelor's degree in elementary special education. In fact, as a high school senior, I will be graduating this spring with both my associate's degree and my high school diploma. This is a huge accomplishment for me and it gets me one step closer to my dream of teaching. I want to work with kids just like myself, that need extra attention. This will allow me to accomplish the goal that I set the day I met the little boy of making a difference. I feel that using both my personal experience and the expeirences I have encountered while tutoring that young boy and while teaching gymnastics to a little girl with Down syndrome I can be a sucessful teacher in that setting. I also hope to eventually open my own gymnastics facility that has options that appeal to the sensory aspect that is needed for those with similar disabilities. I am forever thankful for that little boy who inspired me to be a change in this world that so desperately needs it.