“I try to approach people with the most empathy that I can, because I know what it feels like when there's more going on underneath the surface. Sometimes people are simply what they are at face value, but other times they are very complicated. I think it's good to give people the benefit of the doubt when trying to help them or to just be there for them."

“I get sensitive when I see people struggle. It makes me want to help them. I’m not going to let someone struggle if they need help.”

“I was an extremely big kid growing up. Now at 18 years old, I am six-foot seven and 280 pounds. Every time I’m introduced to somebody, they're like, ‘Oh, what position do you play in basketball?’ Or ‘What position do you play in football?’ And I’m like, ‘I don’t. I’m a cheerleader.'”

“I have a learning disability that means subjects like math are not really my strong suit. On the other hand, I excel very much in areas like creative writing and journalism. That's much more my speed.”

“I watch people run, play sports, stay out late, and move through life without thinking twice about their bodies. I’ve had to think about mine constantly."

“The parallels between my own experience and the experiences of those living with other challenges are not lost on me. Stigma, silence, and the fear of being reduced to a label rather than seen as a whole person: these are barriers I understand deeply.”

“I have always been fascinated by equipment and machinery—the inner workings, how to run them. I was always getting into trouble with my dad when I was younger because I would take his tools and take things around the house apart and [sometimes] put them back together again.”

“I believe education is not only about personal advancement but also about contributing to the well-being of society as a whole.”