Meet the 2024 Scholars

"Describe a defining moment in your journey with CF that sparked personal growth or resilience. How did this experience affect you and what did you learn from this moment?"

Throughout my journey with CF, I have experienced personal growth in many aspects, from learning to advocate for myself at my medical appointments to growing in my confidence when sharing about CF with my friends and peers. However, one of the most prominent moments that comes to mind was when I joined the high school cross-country team. I was diagnosed with CF at the age of three and was encouraged to have an active lifestyle through my childhood years. I spent many weekends at the local playground or going on hikes with my family. Because my after school hours were primarily spent on homework, family dinner, and completing my CF treatments before bedtime, I did not participate often in organized team sports. In the fall of my 8th grade year, I stayed after school one day to watch some friends compete in a home cross-country meet. Immediately afterwards, I decided I was up for the challenge and set a goal of running my first 5k. My dad put together a training plan and ran alongside me as I prepared for this race. I completed that first 5k, fell in love with the sport, and made it my goal to be able to join the cross-country team the following year. After spending many summer mornings waking up at 6 am to get out the door for a humid run, I found myself lined up at the start of my debut high school cross-country race. It was an unseasonably warm and humid day, and the race course was in full sun. I remember getting partway into the first mile and questioning what I was doing out there, but as soon as I crossed the finish line, I exchanged weary smiles with a teammate and close friend. My finishing race time was not particularly fast; my pace would likely be considered a warm-up. But for me, that race meant so much more than my 5k time. At that moment, I saw that my dedication to training through those early mornings and hot, humid afternoon practices was worth it. I reflected on how I had wanted to show myself that my diagnosis did not define me; that I had the discipline and endurance that it took to run a race and strive for excellence while doing so. I learned that I was truly capable of finishing what I had set out to do. I also discovered that the benefits of running extend past my physical health. As I write this on a pleasant spring evening as a senior in college, I plan on heading out the door in approximately 10 minutes to go for a run and watch the sunset. Although I have encountered occasional setbacks and injuries that have temporarily stopped me from running and pushed me to find other ways to stay physically active, running will remain my favorite way to clear my mind and remind myself of the characteristics I possess when it comes to tackling challenges in life.