Hobbies and interests
Sports
Reading
Advertising
Art
Coffee
Cinematography
Church
Blogging
Exercise And Fitness
Graphic Design
English
National Honor Society (NHS)
Nutrition and Health
Reading
Young Adult
Christianity
Religion
Romance
History
I read books daily
Izabela Gonzalez
1,085
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WinnerIzabela Gonzalez
1,085
Bold Points1x
Nominee1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
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 programMajors:
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Minors:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
Home School Experience
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
- Marketing
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 Center2024 – 2024Shadow
GatorVision2024 – 2024Brand Ambassador
Campus Ink2024 – Present10 monthsCommunications Volunteer
University of Florida Athletic Association (UAA)2024 – Present10 monthsSocial Chair
Public Relations in Sports Management (PRISM)2024 – Present10 monthsCommunications Intern
Baptist Health2022 – 2022Member
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)2023 – Present1 year
Sports
Softball
Varsity2020 – 20222 years
Awards
- Scholar Athlete (2020-2021)
Volleyball
Varsity2020 – 20233 years
Awards
- Scholar Athlete (2020-2021)
- Sportsmanship (2020-2021)
- Scholar Athlete (2021-2022)
Arts
AIE Charter School
TheatreThe Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland2019 – 2023
Public services
Volunteering
Christ Journey CJ Kids — Sunday School Toddler Teen Director2021 – 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.