Meet the 2022 Scholars
Get to know the hopes, dreams, and talents of this year's winners.
Leila B.
Undergraduate Recipient
"2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the AbbVie CF Scholarship. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to continuing to recognize more students pursing their educational goals. Please share your future ambitions in the Cystic Fibrosis community, professionally and personally."
“Old enough to understand.” While this is just a quote from a song I like, for me, it symbolizes so much more than a song lyric. Cystic Fibrosis is often only seen as a negative. Something to “deal with.” Something that has to be “handled” or “survived.” When I was younger, it certainly felt this way. The endless pills, treatments, and hospital visits certainly only showed me the negative sides of CF. However, as I grew up, I realized that it didn’t have to be all that bad. I realized my immense gratitude I had for the abilities CF has given me. CF has given me something to prove. CF does not define every aspect of my life but it is the reason I am dedicated to achieving my goals. I use this fire within to further myself in my career and in my relationships. Another gift CF has given me is advocacy. I learned the importance of self-advocacy from a very young age and have used this skill not just for myself but for the people I help through my career in Advertising and Public Relations. Lastly, CF has given me a perception on life that most people do not possess. Having to grow up fairly quickly in order to understand what was going on with my body, I have learned to focus on the bigger picture rather than worrying over minor inconveniences. Seeing what CF can do to a person and mourning those we have lost to CF has made me appreciate the significant beauty life has to offer. With these skills, I want to show other children with CF that it doesn't always have to be negative and they can thrive despite the obstacles they face. It is my goal to be living proof to anyone fighting this battle with me that they can do it too. Even with all the odds stacked against you, you are what you make of it. This is why I am “old enough to understand”. I get it now. CF isn’t the illness that defines me. CF is what has molded me into someone I am proud to be.
Leila B.'s Artwork
Leila B.'s Achievements
- Event Planning Assistant for University of Central Florida's Student Union
- University of Central Florida's Deans List (2021-2022 and 2020-2021)
- Marketing Coordinator for UCF Student Union Banquet (2021-2022)
- International Thespian Society Troupe 7346 Vice President (2019-2020)
- Miss Creekside Pageant Miss Congeniality Winner (2019-2020)
- Miss Creekside Most Talented Winner (2019-2020)
- 12 Superior Awards in International Thespian Society Competitions (2016-2020)
- Shift Lead Server at Mellow Mushroom
- Lead Supervisor at Community First Igloo
- Head Counselor for Bartram Trail Performing Arts Camp (2021-2022, 2022-2023)