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Lucas Marcelo Milk

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Soccer
  • Track and Field
  • Art
  • digital art
  • Video Editing and Production
  • Animation
  • Screenwriting
  • Writing
  • Anime

Reading

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Bio

My name is Lucas Marcelo Milk. I have a twin sister and two little brothers, and I was raised in a trilingual household (Spanish, Portuguese, English). I was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes when I was 12, and although it took a while to adjust, it was one of the best things that ever happened to me - helping me become a more fit and healthy person. Following these lifestyle changes brought about by Type-1 Diabetes, I began to excel athletically, managing to get recruited and become the starting striker on a gold-ranked club soccer team, a childhood dream of mine. I also discovered a latent talent for track and field, where I've broken school and state records, becoming captain of my High School team and receiving numerous offers to run in college. Thanks to the wonderful people at Skin Grip, I was able to get into contact with a journalist and get my Diabetes story published, which hopefully will spread awareness about how the disease can be treated. Article: https://smdp.com/2024/04/02/samohi-student-learns-to-live-fearlessly-despite-diabetes-diagnosis/ My dream has always been to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, and recently, I was admitted to USC's School of Cinematic Arts, the number one film school in the world. However, I come from a family of six, with a twin sister who also intends to attend college, and two Grandparents who rely on us financially, so tuition has placed a serious financial burden on my family. However, I am committed to applying to as many scholarships as possible to help support my own and my sibling's college education.

Education

Santa Monica High

High School

2020 – 2024

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
Film/Video and Photographic Arts

Career

  • I've acted in over a dozen national commercials, becoming a member of SAG-AFTRA and gaining crucial work and on-set experience.

    Motion Pictures and Film · Cox Communications, Capital One, HSBC Bank

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2023

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Motion Pictures and Film
Has nursing license:
No
District 27-A2 Lions Diabetes Awareness Scholarship
When I think back to my 12-year-old self laying on that hospital bed with tubes coming out of my arms, I remember many things: my mother's anguish, my twin-sister’s despair, the doctor's stern expression as he told me I had genetic type-1 diabetes. I also remember an overwhelming feeling of resolve. My illness had a name, which meant I could face it head-on. Still, I never imagined that one day I’d say: "Type-1 diabetes is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” I found strength from the perspective instilled in me by my family. My Peruvian father and Brazilian mother worked in social impact throughout Latin America affiliated with National Geographic and UNICEF, so my youth was spent on the road, seeing firsthand the resilience of people who overcame incredible challenges to succeed. Just as comfortable in Spanish and Portuguese as in English, I spent my childhood everywhere, from the rural highlands of Peru to the shantytowns of Guatemala, making friends with kids my age who worked hard jobs to help make ends meet for their families. They were a reminder that resilience, grit, and a little optimism could open a pathway. Yes, diabetes was daunting–the finger-pricking, injections, and glucose measuring–but even at 12, I was determined to tackle it directly. I experimented with eating foods that were low in carbs and sugar. My body responded, allowing me to push myself athletically. I was recruited and became the starting striker on a gold-ranked club soccer team. I also discovered a latent talent for running track, where I've broken school and state records, becoming the team captain. My concentration improved when my blood sugars normalized, and I excelled in class and socially. Today, people know me as many things: the track captain, the youth soccer coach, the anime and film fanatic, the artist, and the sub-par guitar player. When people talk about me, my chronic illness is never part of that discussion. Although diabetes does not define me, I still wear my continuous glucose monitor proudly on my arm so it's always visible - for times like when a seven year old boy timidly asked me if I too had type-1, or when a recently diagnosed girl about my age said she had been overwhelmed, and that I was the first other type-1 diabetic she had met. These small interactions give me joy, and they make me want to reach more people, which is why I've worked on developing a film detailing my unique method of treatment and experiences with type-1. I continue to give consolation to all the type-1 diabetics I talk to, working with the school nurse to help in their introduction so I can comfort them. I don't just give a generic "everything will be alright" speech, I tell them how type-1 can be fought, and I tell them of my own experience and how I turned my illness from the worst moment in my life into the best thing that's ever happened to me.
Skin Grip Diabetes Scholarship
Winner
Lucas Marcelo Milk Student Profile | Bold.org