Two weeks after my tenth birthday I was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes, an incurable autoimmune disorder I would have to manage for the rest of my life. The cost of my diabetes supplies: insulin, pump supplies, syringes, Dexcom supplies(continuous glucose monitor), blood checkers, doctor appointments, and examinations have all been a financial burden my parents have had to foot the bill for my entire life. Now, leaving for college, the cost to manage my disability and the cost to get educated weighs heavily on my conscious. This scholarship would be a gift that could help ease this transition in my life. Despite being disabled, I have continuously pushed myself academically. My first two years of high school were spent in honors classes, putting in the time necessary to finish with almost all A’s. My junior year, I joined an early college program called Nevada State High School. This program allows me to take all college-level classes at the College of Southern Nevada. That first year, despite being a 16-year-old in lecture halls with adults, I regularly finished at the top of my classes. A story that comes to mind is when I took BIOL 189. The class started with 30+ students. By the final week, there were only 6 of us left. I ended up finishing with the highest grade in this class. I will be graduating in 2025 with my associate's degree at the same time I receive my GED. School hasn’t been the sole responsibility I have taken on in my life. I have been employed since I was 14 years old. I have held two jobs since my 16th birthday, doing medical billing at my mom’s office and working at an indoor rock-climbing facility. Working these jobs in addition to going to school has taught me important skills in both social interaction and time management. I have also volunteered 20 hours a semester at non-profit organizations since the start of my junior year. I have mainly volunteered at ThreeSquare, a local food bank that feeds impoverished communities in the Las Vegas area. I have experienced and learned the importance of giving back to the community. In my free time, I enjoy being physically active. After my diagnosis, I continued to play baseball until I was 14, later becoming more interested in outdoor activities. I enjoy snowboarding and hiking. However, my favorite sport is rock climbing. I plan on obtaining a bachelors in biology from The University of Nevada Reno and then attending medical school at UNLV or UNR. My goal is to eventually become either an endocrinologist or purse emergency medicine. I want to save lives, regardless of if it is fast paced in the emergency room, or by helping a kid with type one diabetes manage their blood sugars. This scholarship would help make my path to a physician smoother. I would be forever grateful for the selfless act of this scholarship committee.

Two weeks after my tenth birthday I was rushed to the hospital where I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. This sudden change in my life forced me to grow up faster than my peers. With the maintenance of my blood glucose levels, carb intake, insulin injections, etc., I was undoubtedly forced to take on much more responsibility than your average kid. Despite this, I have actively refused the idea of letting my disability limit me. In academics, I have pushed myself through rigorous classes earning a 4.4 GPA and the opportunity to graduate with my Associates of Science degree from the College of Southern Nevada at the same time as earning my high school diploma. In my free time, I enjoy rock climbing, taking frequent trips to Red Rock Canyon. Not only do I deal with the logistics and safety of scaling up cliffs, I must also do so while being continuously cognizant of my Type 1 Diabetes and the additional challenges it brings to this activity. My next step in my life is to attend the University of Nevada, Reno where I plan to major in Biology, attend medical school, and eventually become an Endocrinologist. I want to be able to help other Type 1 Diabetics navigate their journey through childhood with this condition. Above all, I want to inspire them and show them that diabetes does not have to be a truly limiting disability.