
Gender
Female
Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino
Hobbies and interests
Dance
Music Theory
Music
French
Spanish
Reading
American Sign Language (ASL)
Ballet
Ballroom Dancing
Speech and Debate
Reading
Academic
Science Fiction
Realistic Fiction
Classics
I read books multiple times per week
Leilany Zarco-Aguirre
1,885
Bold Points1x
Finalist
Leilany Zarco-Aguirre
1,885
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
My goal is to become a developmental pediatrician. I started working for the special education programs of my local school district, and although that started as nothing more than a job to make money, it quickly became a life-changing experience. Working at the school has allowed me to be a resource for the students and families affected by conditions and illnesses that are incredibly misunderstood and stigmatized. I love my students, and when I learned about what developmental pediatricians do, I immediately knew that I would one day want to work with them in that way.
Becoming a behavioral and developmental pediatrician means a lot to me because I have experienced what it is like to be helped by behavioral specialists. When I was sixteen, I developed a serious eating disorder. My mental health was so bad that I had to drop out of college and move back home, taking a break from school for a year to focus on my recovery. By the time I eventually got professional help, I was referred to a child behavioral specialist who then gave me thousands of resources and guidance that led me to the recovered state I am in now. I want to be like the people who helped save my life and hopefully have that same impact on others.
Outside of academics, my main hobby is my recreational dance group; we have competed in national contests and with the Korean American Society of Greater Kansas City and are often asked to represent their organization at events like showcases at local museums and the Kansas City Ethnic Festival.
Education
Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Truman State University
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Psychology, General
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Medicine
- Psychology, General
- Chemistry
- Behavioral Sciences
Career
Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician
Paraprofessional
Belton School DIstrict2023 – Present2 years
Sports
Dancing
Intramural2022 – Present3 years
Research
Biopsychology
Truman State Unviersity — Facilitator2022 – 2022
Arts
Korean-American Society of Greater Kansas-City
Dance2023 – Present
Public services
Volunteering
Belton School DIstrict — Tutor2023 – 2023