A positive attitude, personal determination, and a strong desire to reach your goals are important in everything you do in life. My journey has been a whirlwind over the last three years. In 2021, I was diagnosed with Scoliosis – I have three curves, Spondylolisthesis, Spondylolysis; in 2022, I was diagnosed with Rheumatic Fever; and in 2023, I was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. My determination to do what I love and to achieve my goals has been so important over the past three years. I have a strong support group and I speak openly about my conditions. In 2021, my orthopedic discouraged me from continuing cheering and explained the risks and concerns. I continue to cheer because it is something I love. I started cheering in third grade. At the tryout for my eighth-grade school year, I did not make the team. I was depressed and missed the sport of cheer. I started volunteering as a cheer coach for a local youth organization. When I was diagnosed with JIA, my rheumatologist was amazed that I was so physically active because of how severe my arthritis was in five major joints, including both knees, both ankles and my right elbow. I am in my senior year of high school and I am very active in cheer, swim, and color guard. I have learned a lot about myself and the importance of taking care of your own personal physical and mental health. The struggle with having an autoimmune disease and a chronic illness has made me think about the future. I plan on being an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and working at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. I want others to be aware of their own physical and mental health. I have represented Arkansas at the National Healthy Living Summit in Washington DC. I have spoken about my health journey and earned first place at Arkansas 4-H Orama in Health for my health talk. This year, I decided to try a new platform of inspiring others by participating in the Arkansas preliminary scholarship competitions to participate in the Miss Arkansas competition to help bring attention to the importance of being your role model and being active in your health journey. In my first competition, I received first runner-up and Miss Congeniality. I was able to talk about the challenges of having my diagnosis and my goal of bringing attention to others and the importance of physical and mental health regardless of one’s health journey. My Community Service Initiative is L.I.V.E. Healthy. My mission is to lead the conversation, inspire change, visualize goals, and educate others. It would have been easy to give up on my goals, but my mental health would have suffered. Having a positive attitude and determination has given me the courage to tell my story and hope to influence others to be their own role models, and to push themselves to their full potential.

My parents divorced when I was in the first grade. During that time, my mom was diagnosed with anxiety. Then in 2018, we lost my grandfather because of someone else’s actions and decisions. After that incident, it took thirteen months to get the responsible individual sentenced to prison. My mom was then diagnosed with depression. I have seen the struggle of mental health from the emotional and the physical struggle. When I was five years old, I joined 4-H. My main project is Health and Fitness. My experience has encouraged me to speak out at meetings, and during workshops, and encourage the 4th H, which is Health. Health is not just physical health, but also mental health. I have led workshops and presented speeches on self-injury, spotting depression in teenagers, and the importance of mindfulness. My speech about self-injury was something I felt strongly about. My mom has old scars, even though she’s never spoken about them, and I met others with scars. I wanted to bring up a topic many would be brave enough to talk about in the light. I wanted to show others that they do not have to suffer in silence. This bravery and wanting to be the voice for others has encouraged me to be a teen leader, not only in my county but also at a state and national level. I am a 4-H state camp counselor during the summer, and my experience helps me connect with other individuals at camp. I am an Arkansas 4-H Ambassador and an Arkansas Healthy Living Ambassador, which allowed me to represent my state at Washington DC at the National Healthy Living Summit and the National Healthy Habits Conference. Even with the various challenges that I have faced, I have kept a positive mental outlook. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with scoliosis and then in December of 2022, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease. In March 2023, I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. My physical illnesses have caused some challenges in my daily life. I have continued to stay active in cheer, swimming, and color guard. Backpain from scoliosis and arthritis makes participating in these activities difficult at times, but I refuse to quit. I work hard and am very determined to not be defined by my illnesses. Instead, I have started participating in pageants this year to have a platform to be a role model for others. I have planned on going into the medical field since I was four years old. During my high school career, I have worked towards the nursing pathway for graduates. I will complete the CNA course during my senior year to be a certified CNA. I have also attended Farm Bureau’s MASH, which is a two-week opportunity for high school students to learn more about careers in the medical field at local hospitals. I know life brings challenges and I meet each of them with positivity and determination to achieve my goals. These adversities will make me successful in going into the medical field while working with youth because I know everyone is facing challenges and might not have the support or the voice to speak up. I plan on continuing my education and working at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. My education path will create a better future for me because I will be achieving a dream I have had since I was four years old of being in the medical field. I will be working with children daily. I will be a role model and have a positive impact on those that need it most.