My family was first impacted by cancer in December of 2010 when my Aunt Krystal was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 27. At 5 years old, it was difficult to understand and confusing, especially when she started losing her hair. When I first saw her without hair, I broke down in tears and felt an immense sadness in my heart. Having to see someone you love go through grueling treatments was one of the scariest things I have ever experienced. After months of chemo followed by radiation, she went into remission in 2011. Her strength and resilience have been inspiring to me throughout my life. For 13 years, she was cancer-free and even gave birth to my cousins, Bo and Bryant. In 2023, during a routine check-up, they found cancer again. Our family was saddened by this news, but we believed in remission and healing for her. They were able to remove the cancer by surgery, and she continues to live a happy and healthy life with her husband and two boys. In August of 2025, my family was celebrating many new changes. I started college, my brother and dad started new coaching jobs, and my mom was enjoying retirement. On Thanksgiving Day, November 27th, we were celebrating with family; my dad, mom, and I were in their hometown, Lufkin, Texas, and my older brother, Trey, was in Austin with his fiancée and Aunt Krystal’s family. After lunch, my dad received an automated email stating that results from bloodwork done during my brother’s routine physical indicated he had a life-threatening condition, and needed to get to a hospital immediately. We got on the road and headed to Austin, which was a 3-hour drive. When I entered the car, my mom was on the phone with my Aunt Krystal. She was calm, but you could hear the fear in her voice. I vividly remember my mom saying, “Get Trey to an emergency room now!” When I get too anxious, I usually fall asleep, which is what happened. When I woke up, we were in Austin, and my mom shared with me that the Dr at the ER thought my brother, Trey, might have cancer. Once we got to Trey, we hugged and held each other. There was one point where my aunt, mom, dad, nana, brother's fiancé, and I were all huddled around my brother on the couch holding one another while my papa was on the phone praying. That moment was one of the most connected moments I’ve felt with my family in my life, because we all realized the gravity of the situation. There were tears, but as my papa prayed, he reminded us to continue to lean on our faith. My brother was admitted to the hospital the next morning in Austin and started oral chemo. After having a bone marrow biopsy, he was officially diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) on December 1st. The oncologist shared that there was a targeted treatment for CML, and most patients go into remission and live normal lives. This was a huge relief for our family, but we still hated to see Trey in the hospital and having to start treatments for cancer. My brother is responding well to treatment, feeling good, and his bloodwork indicates he is in remission. From experiencing both of their cancer journeys firsthand, I have learned to appreciate life more. We live on borrowed time every day and need to make the most of each day while we can.

I have been able to impact my community by being an inspiration to others through my experience and advocacy with PANDAS/PANS. I was diagnosed with PANDAS/PANS during the summer of 2019. “The most common cause of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) is usually streptococcus. Brain inflammation occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy neuronal cells, disrupting central nervous system functions. Symptoms include a sudden and dramatic change in personality, OCD, anxiety, tics, and more (PANDAS Network, 2024). I struggled with this disorder for 5 years. At one point, PANDAS/PANS kept me inside the house for six months. During that time, I was completely dependent on my dad. Due to debilitating OCD and anxiety, I lost the ability to perform activities of daily living. For months, my dad had to assist me with basic functions like using the restroom, showering, and eating. After many treatments and prayers, I was able to go back to school after 3 ½ years and have been in remission since 2023. After being through this difficult ordeal, I felt called to help raise awareness for this rarely diagnosed disorder. So, over the years, I decided to give back to the PANDAS/PANS community through advocacy. From 2020 to 2023, I was involved in a documentary called “Rooted in Resilience: A Journey of Growth with PANDAS and PANS.” This documentary had immeasurable reach and had parents reach out to me from around the world to tell me how I gave their child and family hope that they could get better again. I am also involved in “PansCourage,” which is a support group for kids with PANDAS/PANS. This group has not only been an outlet to me but also allowed me to pour into younger kids to give them advice and words of encouragement as they go through the hardest times of their lives. Additionally, I am a part of the National PANDAS/PANS Youth Alliance (NPYA), which is an American youth-led organization and 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that aims to increase awareness and pass federal legislation to require equitable insurance coverage for medically-necessary PANDAS/PANS treatments. Through this opportunity, I’ve been able to help pass legislation and research, so there are more effective and timely outcomes for PANDAS/PANS patients. Among all these organizations I was a part of, this past fall, I was invited to give a speech at the Texas State Capitol this past October on National PANDAS/PANS Awareness Day. Being able to speak at my state capitol was an honor and a blessing that I was truly grateful for. Not just for myself, but for the greater awareness I would be able to spread through it. Through all my actions, I’ve been able to create an increased awareness and even be able to recommend doctors to PANDAS/PANS patients that my family and I wouldn’t have been able to do without me going through what I did. I am currently a Biochemistry Major on a pre-med track at LSU. I plan on becoming a Pediatric Neurologist and focus on the diagnosis and treatment of PANDAS/PANS children and families. I believe my experience of having PANDAS/PANS will give me a unique insight into what my patients are dealing with that other Neurologists aren’t able to provide. My goal is to drastically change the outcomes and recovery times of these children, so they don’t have to go through all of the things my family and I went through for almost five years.

The symbolic image I uploaded reminds me of my struggle with OCD and anxiety while due to PANDAS/PANS. “The most common cause of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) is usually streptococcus. Brain inflammation occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy neuronal cells, disrupting central nervous system functions.” (PANDAS Network, 2024). I started showing symptoms in 7th grade and was given an official diagnosis about ten months later. I struggled with this disorder for 5 years and was unable to attend school for 3 1/2 years. Every day was a fight for my life and health, whether it was going to appointments or taking medication. It was a constant, difficult battle. At one point, PANDAS/PANS kept me inside the house for six months. During that time, I was completely dependent on my dad. Due to debilitating OCD and anxiety I lost the ability to perform activities of daily living. OCD made everything difficult and my mind felt overwhelmed all the time. It was never ending confusion and frustration just like my symbolic image demonstrates. Everything I did became a chore that took focus, effort and energy. Showering took hours to finish because of my grueling rituals and repetitiveness. I felt like everything had to be “perfect” no matter how long it took to feel that way. It was like being in a prison cell that your own brain is holding you hostage in. OCD even made having a conversation a struggle by hijacking a simple conversation and turning it into an hours-long ritual where my parents had to say something just right for me to be able to move on. These were the loneliest times of my life. I wanted to be able to talk to and hug my family but I couldn't because of all the things my brain was making me do. I frequently was alone with myself and my mind doing rituals and repeating until it felt “just right”. The only time I had peace was when I was asleep. I used to say “I wish I could just be asleep all day so I don’t have to suffer when I’m awake.” One of the biggest turning points in my healing journey came when I had my tonsils removed. Immediately following the surgery and for about four weeks the surgery helped tremendously. For a while, we thought I was fully healed. Unfortunately, my journey wasn’t over and I slowly regressed which was disheartening. After the surgery, I was able to start treatments like monthly Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions, weekly IV Ozone therapy, and neurofeedback sessions to reduce brain inflammation. Eventually, I started Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. It was hard at first, emotionally, mentally, and physically but I wouldn't be where I am today without it. Gradually, I improved with medical and therapeutic support. At age 17, I returned to school for the first time since 8th grade. I played in my first football game after 1,408 days! After returning to school, I earned straight A’s, was inducted into the National Honor Society and named Academic All-District and Academic All-State for football. I want to become a Pediatric Neurologist and focus on the diagnosis and treatment of PANDAS/PANS kids. I believe my experience of having PANDAS/PANS will give me a unique insight into what my patients are dealing with that other Neurologists aren’t able to provide. I want to become a resource and support for PANDAS/PANS kids and families.

My new Love Island challenge would be called “Down in the DMs.” This game adds a twist of social media mystery and playful exposure, creating fun and tension between the islanders. The core of the game revolves around Instagram direct messages (DMs)—both those the islanders have sent and those they’ve received before coming onto the show. Here’s how it works: Before the game begins, producers will gather a selection of Instagram DMs from all the islanders—both messages they’ve sent and ones they’ve received. These will be used as the basis for the challenge. The islanders will be divided into two teams based on gender: boys versus girls. Each team will work together to try and figure out which member of the opposite team sent or received a particular DM. The game starts with a round where the boys guess which girl sent a specific DM. A real DM that one of the girls sent before the show will be displayed on a screen for everyone to see. The boys will discuss as a group and come to a consensus on which girl they believe sent that DM. Once they’ve made their choice, the correct answer will be revealed. If they guessed correctly, the boys earn a point. If they guessed wrong, the point goes to the girls. Next, the roles reverse. A DM that one of the boys received will be shown on the screen. The girls will work together to decide which boy they think received it. Once their guess is locked in, the actual recipient is revealed. If the girls are correct, they score a point. If not, the point goes to the boys. Then the challenge flips again. This time, the girls are shown a DM that one of the boys sent. They’ll work together to guess who sent the message. If they guess right, they earn a point. If they’re wrong, the boys get the point. The boys will then see a DM that one of the girls received and go through the same process of guessing. If their guess is correct, they earn the point; if they’re wrong, the girls take it. This pattern continues until every islander has had at least one DM they sent or received shown during the game. Each round provides laughs, surprises, and a little friendly drama as people’s digital flirtations and messages are put on display. Once all the rounds are completed, there’s a final twist. The producers will reveal which boy and which girl sent the most DMs and who received the most DMs before coming onto the show. These statistics are shown to everyone, adding a fun, competitive edge to the game. Whichever team had the top DMer (in each category—sent and received) gets additional points. If both the most-sent and most-received DMs come from the same team, they can earn multiple bonus points. The team with the highest total score at the end of the challenge wins. forfeit or miss out on a reward. “Down in the DMs” adds a spicy, playful element to Love Island, blending digital history with face-to-face fun, and giving the islanders a chance to learn a little more about each other’s past flings and social game before entering the villa.

"You are not judged by the height you have risen, but from the depth you have climbed,” a quote by Frederick Douglass. I saw it on the wall during my first day back at school after being homebound for three and a half years. Those words immediately resonated with me because they reflected everything I had been through. I was diagnosed with PANDAS/PANS in 2019. According to the PANDAS Network (2024), “The most common cause of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) is usually streptococcus. Brain inflammation occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy neuronal cells, disrupting central nervous system functions. Symptoms include a sudden and dramatic change in personality, OCD, anxiety, tics, and more.” For five years, I battled this illness. At one point, I couldn’t leave the house for six months. During that time, I was completely dependent on my dad. Debilitating OCD and anxiety robbed me of the ability to complete basic daily tasks. For months, my dad had to help me eat, shower, and even use the restroom. It was an isolating and terrifying experience. A major turning point came in September 2021 when I had my tonsils removed. For a few weeks afterward, I experienced tremendous improvement. We hoped I was fully healed. But slowly, my symptoms returned. It was discouraging, but the surgery had helped enough to allow me to begin treatments I couldn’t tolerate before due to contamination fears. Following the surgery, I started monthly IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin) infusions, weekly IV ozone therapy, and neurofeedback to reduce brain inflammation. In the spring of 2022, I began daily Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. It was emotionally and physically challenging, but it changed everything. Through ERP, I re-learned how to shower on my own, leave the house more often, and be around other people. Over time, I improved and needed therapy less frequently. In August 2023, I returned to school for the first time since 8th grade. After 1,408 days, I played in my first football game. Since returning, I’ve earned straight A’s, was inducted into the National Honor Society, and received Academic All-District and Academic All-State honors. I also coached youth 7-on-7 football and volunteered at local elementary schools as a mentor. Unfortunately, the cost of my treatment meant my parents had to use my college savings to pay for doctors, therapy, and medical care. I am grateful for my recovery, but it came with sacrifices. This scholarship would help me pursue my goal of attending college to major in Biochemistry. My interest in Biochemistry is directly inspired by my experience with PANDAS/PANS and its impact on my life. I want to understand the science behind autoimmune neurological conditions and help others going through what I experienced. There is a severe shortage of neurologists who treat PANDAS/PANS, and I want to help change that. After earning my Biochemistry degree, I plan to attend medical school and become a Pediatric Neurologist. As a doctor, I want to provide early diagnosis and effective treatment to children with sudden-onset symptoms. My personal journey gives me a perspective that few physicians have, and I believe that will allow me to connect with and advocate for my patients in a powerful way. I also want to raise awareness and support legislation to help families afford treatment. My goal is to shorten recovery times and improve outcomes so children and their families don’t have to suffer as mine did. I want to be a source of hope, healing, and change for the PANDAS/PANS community.