Hello, my name is Mia Massengill. I am from Bristol, Virginia, and am primarily looking for disability scholarships. I had a severe stroke when I was born, causing 70% of my cerebellum to not fully develop. I had very noticeable stereotypies, which are basically purposeless repetitive movements that can look like shaking your head or arms for no reason. I was given treatments to help control my stereotypies. The rarity of these stereotypies led to a neurology consult at Johns Hopkins and resulted in my condition being studied and reported in a publication titled, Young Girl With a Prenatal Cerebellar Injury. Movement Disorders Clinical Practice 2019: 6(6): 488-49. I am now about to enter college. Part of the reason I want to attend college so that I can be an inspiration for people with other stereotypies. I want to explain my backstory and encourage people to not be afraid of what others might think. Nobody is born the same; each person has something unique about them that tells a story. I want to embrace my story of where I started versus where I am now, a completely different person. When I revisited my therapists, they were in shock at how far I came. It felt like I beat the system and overpowered my brain into performing my stereotypies. After all the doctor’s appointments, therapy visits, neurology consultants, they always had hoped I would overcome this, and that they would develop a way to be in control of my stereotypies. It was worth the visits, practice, and patience, because now, I can say I overcame it.

• Front Desk Agent

  Hospitality · YMCA of Bristol

  Jan 2025 – Present

• Advocacy
• Volunteering
• Philanthropy
• Entrepreneurship

• Track & Field

  Varsity

  2023 – 2025

• My goal was to maintain a 3.5 or above GPA. I was assigned to complete 20 hours of Community Service each year.

  John S. Battle High School and Tennessee High School · Student Counseling and Personnel Services

  2022 – Present

  Research topic:

  National Honor Society

• My peers and I had to establish creative ideas to present during the school year (ex. homecoming, winter formal, prom).

  John S. Battle High School and Tennessee High School · Student Counseling and Personnel Services

  2023 – Present

  Research topic:

  Student Council

• Maroon and White is Bristol Tennessee's oldest newspaper. My goal is to write monthly articles about what is going on during the school year.

  Tennessee High School · Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other

  2025 – 2025

  Research topic:

  Maroon and White Journalism Program

• Lectern

  Volunteering · St. Anne's Catholic Church

  2022 – Present

  Mission:

  I was assigned to read the first or second reading at mass once a month every Sunday.

• Camp Counselor in Training

  Volunteering · YMCA of Bristol

  2023 – 2023

  Mission:

  My job was to shadow camp counselors, while interacting with campers by entertaining them to have a fun experience at camp.

• Volunteer helper

  Volunteering · John S. Battle High School

  2025 – 2025

  Mission:

  I helped Special needs people compete in sports, applauded them to victory, and made great memories providing assistance for wonderful people.