Meet the 2023 Scholars

"Write a letter to your younger self during a key moment in your life addressing one or more of the following: words of encouragement, lessons you have learned and/or challenges you have overcome."

Dear Younger Lakyn, You have a big softball tournament this weekend. Your CF is going to make your pancreatitis go nuts. I know how much you want to play so you aren't going to tell mom you're hurting. She's going to notice though and ask questions. Don't ignore her and keep trying to hide it. She's going to let you play. She's even going to let you finish the championship game if you're able, but she's really concerned so don't hide what's wrong. She's not going to be mad. She will scoop you up as soon as the game is over and drive you to Le Bonhuer. Take a deep breath; you're going to have to stay for a long time. It's okay though; they are going to make you better. This hospital stay will end up being an experience full of a lot of things that are going to help you. They are finally going to find a medicine to control your pancreatitis better. You're not going to have to do your breathing vest for hours at a time every morning and night anymore. You're finally going to have opportunity to go to those sleepovers and birthday parties with your friends after this. The memories you make from those are awesome! I know you're super hard-headed, but please be a little more open to the doctors, nurses, and therapists. I know you just want to go home and get back in school. Don't have that breakdown about getting behind and losing your honor roll privileges. Your teachers love you very much, and they are going to send you all of your work. You're super stoked and eager to get it all done. Never lose that hunger; it's going to end up taking us a lot of places. Keep practicing ball too because you're going to love how that turns out. If I could remind you of just a few things, it would be this: keep your head up, don't be ashamed of your CF, and know that it's okay for people to know your battle. Just never forget what mom said, it's not our crutch but our stepping stone. We are using everything given to us to make us better, and we are going to go far! Enjoy the ride a little more, stay out of the high school girl drama, and hold on to those who support you. We end up with a 4.0 GPA, graduate on time, and we landed that basketball scholarship everyone told us would never be possible to get! Love, Lak