Age 18 / Umatilla High School Graduate

PHOTO: Provided

MY LIFE AT THE MOMENT: I am currently playing volleyball at the collegiate level while majoring in psychology with future plans to attend medical school.

MY JOURNEY IN MODELING AND DESIGNING SWIMWEAR: I am so grateful for all of the opportunities I have had and those who have supported me along the way. I never saw myself as a model—and to this day find it a little funny when I see my picture somewhere—but I love all of the wonderful places it has taken me and the wonderful people it has given me the opportunity to meet and work with.

GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: My greatest achievement to date has been learning sign language so I could work with a student in my high school’s ESE program.

MY GOALS ARE: To continue playing volleyball at the collegiate level, attend medical school, and become a surgeon. I would particularly enjoy specializing in reconstructive surgery and working with active military and veterans.

BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON MY LIFE: My family! My parents raised me to have all of the qualities I hope I am able to pass on to my own children someday. Growing up with three older brothers also played a large part in my becoming who I am today. I may not have had a sister’s closet to raid—even though I frequently raid my brothers’ for oversized T-shirts and hoodies—but I did have three amazing brothers to get dirty with, help me train for athletics, and make sure I grew up knowing how to have thick skin.

MY ROLE MODELS: My parents! I know that is a typical answer but it is so true. My parents both work in the medical field, so I aspire to be like them in that aspect, but beyond that I aspire to attain their inner qualities more and more each day—kindness, compassion, humility, intelligence, and a good sense of humor among others. If I can be even half the parent to my children that my parents were to me, I’ll be doing a great job.

MY FAVORITE BOOK: “All Creatures Great and Small”

FAVORITE QUOTE: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW: If there is an animal in the road and it’s big enough that I can see it, I will slam on my brakes to stop for it until it gets across the road, even if it’s a caterpillar.

ONE THING PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK ME: “How tall are you?”

FOR FUN, I ENJOY: I love playing volleyball, catching a baseball game, and any activity that involves the beach!

MY ADVICE TO YOUNGER STUDENTS: Always set goals but always strive to surpass them.