Photo: Nicole Hamel

Vital Stats:

• Born in Orlando.
• Junior at Lake Minneola High School
• Studying health science collegiate AP courses at Lake-Sumter State College.
• Family: Father, Dennis, works with U.S. Postal Service; mother, Christine, RN, administrator with Florida Hospital; sister, Jillian, 13.
• Has 4.3 GPA
• Vice president in student government.
• Lake County Youth of 2018 from Boys & Girls Club of Florida.
• Two-time national cheerleading champion with Top Gun All Stars.

First memory: Running with my dog. When my sister was born, I thought, “Oh, good, somebody to play with!”

What words describe you:  Competitive, happy, altruistic.

Best advice: Be nice to others. Don’t be afraid of things. Go after your hopes and dreams.

Passion: Competing with my cheerleading squads: one at school, the other my Top Gun All Stars team. We’ve won two national championships in 2017 and 2018.

What else is important to you: Helping others and making sure they are mentally in a good place. I am an advocate for suicide prevention. 

Why helping others is important: During a fire drill in my sophomore year, a senior, standing not far from me, pulled a gun from his backpack and killed himself. After that, I keep checking on friends and classmates, especially if they look depressed. You never know when caring or just a few words will help. 

What helps keep you positive: Thinking about good memories. I try helping others see the good in a situation.

Personal philosophy: Ride the wave of life. Sometimes, when things aren’t good, realize it’s only choppy water. Hang on until you are winning again.

Who in history inspires you: Mother Teresa. She had so little yet gave so much. I took my confirmation name from her.

Life goals: Helping people because it’s the right thing to do, having good morals, becoming a surgeon.