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"Consider the positive influence you aspire to have as someone living with cystic fibrosis. How do you hope to inspire and empower future generations of young adults with chronic illnesses?"

When one has a chronic illness like Cystic Fibrosis, negative connotations are often associated with it. Sentiments of limitation are evident regarding academic success, career aspirations, and personal exploration and growth. Many times, one can feel as if they are not able to pursue their dreams, in whatever category and capacity that might include. However, this atmosphere of confinement does not foster empowerment or inspiration. As someone with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), I hope to encourage the CF community and those with the disease in their personal and career ambitions. Throughout college, my greatest support systems, my family and medical care team, have encouraged me to accomplish and experience as much as I possibly can, regardless of my condition. Obviously, it is important to keep oneself healthy and stay intentional with medical routine and medications, listening to your body always. However, I have never felt limited in what I can accomplish. I graduate from college this month, and during my undergraduate years, I studied abroad, spent two summers working abroad, was an honors student, and was heavily involved in campus activities. Now, I look forward to a new adventure: starting graduate school in the fall, pursuing musicology, the study of music history and theory. As someone passionate about cultural engagement, travel, music, and higher education, I hope to inspire future generations of teenagers and young adults with CF to pursue those degrees and experiences because society has told them for years they cannot do so. One way I can accomplish this and be a positive influence is by pursuing it myself. I have already started the journey by traveling often and having a genuine interest in cultural engagement, but also by being enrolled in higher education. I have almost received my undergraduate degree and will soon start on my master's, perhaps completing a doctorate at some point later in my life. My passion for musicology has produced my desire to teach music history. Teaching and sharing my knowledge of music is parallel to my passion to encourage those with CF to pursue their dreams and ambitions, especially when it comes to higher education. Receiving this scholarship will assist me in graduating from graduate school debt-free and pursuing more education afterward. Scholarships like AbbVie are vital to supporting students like me in becoming the new generation of CF patients who will change the world of CF and chronic illness. The stigma of limitations must be reversed, and I am proud to be part of that journey and project.