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Leilany Zarco-Aguirre

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Bio

My goal is to become a developmental pediatrician. I started working for the special education programs of my local school district, and although that started as nothing more than a job to make money, it quickly became a life-changing experience. Working at the school has allowed me to be a resource for the students and families affected by conditions and illnesses that are incredibly misunderstood and stigmatized. I love my students, and when I learned about what developmental pediatricians do, I immediately knew that I would one day want to work with them in that way. Becoming a behavioral and developmental pediatrician means a lot to me because I have experienced what it is like to be helped by behavioral specialists. When I was sixteen, I developed a serious eating disorder. My mental health was so bad that I had to drop out of college and move back home, taking a break from school for a year to focus on my recovery. By the time I eventually got professional help, I was referred to a child behavioral specialist who then gave me thousands of resources and guidance that led me to the recovered state I am in now. I want to be like the people who helped save my life and hopefully have that same impact on others. Outside of academics, my main hobby is my recreational dance group; we have competed in national contests and with the Korean American Society of Greater Kansas City and are often asked to represent their organization at events like showcases at local museums and the Kansas City Ethnic Festival.

Education

Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley

Associate's degree program
2024 - 2024
  • Majors:
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Truman State University

Bachelor's degree program
2022 - 2022
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, General

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Medicine
    • Psychology, General
    • Chemistry
    • Behavioral Sciences
  • Planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Medicine

    • Dream career goals:

      Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician

    • Paraprofessional

      Belton School DIstrict
      2023 – Present2 years

    Sports

    Dancing

    Intramural
    2022 – Present3 years

    Research

    • Biopsychology

      Truman State Unviersity — Facilitator
      2022 – 2022

    Arts

    • Korean-American Society of Greater Kansas-City

      Dance
      2023 – Present

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Belton School DIstrict — Tutor
      2023 – 2023

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Leilany Zarco-Aguirre Student Profile | Bold.org