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Izabela Gonzalez

1,085

Bold Points

1x

Nominee

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

Hi, I'm Izabela! I'm a college student studying Public Relations at the University of Florida, but I was born and raised in Miami. I am a great candidate for scholarships because I'm committed and determined in everything that I do. Throughout my years of schooling, I've always been a well-rounded student by being able to balance extracurricular activities and my health at the same time. I've been a type one diabetic since the age of 3 years old, which adds to the reasons why I've always been so mature and motivated to do everything to the best of my abilities. I care greatly about being the best version of myself and have big goals to make a difference in the world in any (and every) way possible. Go Gators!

Education

University of Florida

Bachelor's degree program
2023 - 2027
  • Majors:
    • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
  • Minors:
    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other

Home School Experience

High School
2017 - 2023

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
    • Marketing
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Public Relations and Communications

    • Dream career goals:

      My goal is to work within the public relations and communications side of the sports industry.

    • Global Gators Connect Program Ambassador

      University of Florida International Center
      2024 – 2024
    • Shadow

      GatorVision
      2024 – 2024
    • Brand Ambassador

      Campus Ink
      2024 – Present10 months
    • Communications Volunteer

      University of Florida Athletic Association (UAA)
      2024 – Present10 months
    • Social Chair

      Public Relations in Sports Management (PRISM)
      2024 – Present10 months
    • Communications Intern

      Baptist Health
      2022 – 2022
    • Member

      Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
      2023 – Present1 year

    Sports

    Softball

    Varsity
    2020 – 20222 years

    Awards

    • Scholar Athlete (2020-2021)

    Volleyball

    Varsity
    2020 – 20233 years

    Awards

    • Scholar Athlete (2020-2021)
    • Sportsmanship (2020-2021)
    • Scholar Athlete (2021-2022)

    Arts

    • AIE Charter School

      Theatre
      The Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland
      2019 – 2023

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Christ Journey CJ Kids — Sunday School Toddler Teen Director
      2021 – 2023

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Entrepreneurship

    Chronic Boss Scholarship
    On May 14, 2008, I was diagnosed with type one diabetes just two weeks before my sister (my built-in best friend) was born. I was just three and a half years old and little did I or my family realize it, but all our lives were about to change, and not only because there was going to be a second little human running around our house soon. Type one diabetes was about to become a central part of all of our lives, but not in a way that many people would imagine. Many people would assume that a diagnosis like type one diabetes does not have a silver lining, but it’s because of my chronic illness that I was able to grow into a “diabadass” even with the highs and lows (no pun intended) that it brings. Being diagnosed with type one diabetes at such a young age was definitely a blessing in disguise. As insane as that may sound, it was a blessing because it allowed me to develop the characteristics that have helped me become a successful person today: maturity, determination, responsibility, and organization. From the time I was 4 years old, I had to learn how to take on as much responsibility and be as mature as a typical teenager (if not someone older). From learning how to read nutrition labels and calculate carbohydrates to knowing how to balance my blood sugars; being responsible and maturing quickly as a four-year-old wasn’t an option, but a necessary key to survival. Whenever I think back to my childhood and life as a young diabetic, I’m always grateful for my parents who always reminded me, “You are capable of anything you put your mind to”, “Never let diabetes get in the way of your dreams” and “Insulin is your superpower.” My parents are the ones who helped fuel my desire for greatness in every section and stage of my life. If it weren’t for them I would not have had a well-rounded childhood consisting of six different sports and numerous after-school activities all while balancing my blood sugars from one activity to the next. They taught me that with a little extra organization and determination, I could compete and succeed amongst the best in every section of my life even with a “dead pancreas.” Although I had my fair share of diabetes struggles during my “dark years” of being a diabetic pre-teen, I eventually learned how to overcome them with the help of time, personal growth, and loved ones. Once I became a teenager, I realized that the only way to turn my everyday struggles into my strengths was by rewriting my narrative and outlook on diabetes. I don’t let diabetes define me anymore because I have made my own definition of what diabetes means to me. To me, diabetes is: “the thing that made me who I am today; my superpower; my hidden talent; the key that gave me access to the coolest secret society of fellow ‘diabadasses'.” At the end of the day, not many people can say that they share something important with legends such as Nick Jonas and Sonia Sotomayor. May 14, 2008, is now celebrated every year in my family because it’s my “diaversary” (diabetes anniversary). It’s been over 15 years and it always makes me laugh when I realize that my “dead pancreas” is two weeks older than my sister. I find it so cool that I get to share a month with my built-in best friend by celebrating her birthday and the infamous diagnosis that made me the person that I am today.
    Skin Grip Diabetes Scholarship
    Winner