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"How has your journey with CF shaped the problems you want to solve and the impact you hope to have on others?"

When I was only three days old, I became the youngest child ever to be diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis ("CF") in Louisiana. In July 2007, Louisiana added the CF screen to the PKU heel prick test given to newborns, and a few weeks later, I was diagnosed - my fortunate misfortune. While I would have chosen a life without CF, confronting serious health challenges and the reality of mortality so early taught me how to manage the self-doubt and anxiety that affects so many in my generation. It also gave me a purpose: to help others do the same by leading with the resilience and support that shaped my life. In retrospect, my childhood differed sharply from that of my peers, largely because of two defining influences: the demands of early treatment and the unwavering support of my family. I consider my early diagnosis a blessing. Since treatment began immediately, I avoided many of the long-term complications faced by those diagnosed later. Equally important was my family, whose constant care and commitment ensured I never faced those challenges alone. Even with that support, my childhood was not easy. I spent significant time in and out of hospitals - bronchoscopies, extended treatments, and recurring infections like Pseudomonas. Though these episodes were limited in number, they seemed eternal and countless. Some experiences left lasting impressions, especially the pain of getting a feeding tube, and I couldn't maintain proper nutrition, followed by months of adjustments just to make overnight feedings tolerable without waking up sick. Still, those experiences gave me something invaluable: perspective. Living with CF forced me to understand real adversity early in life. It reshaped how I viewed challenges and made every day, mundane frustrations seem insignificant by comparison. While others were encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, I had no choice but to live there. Rather than retreating, I leaned in by playing football and basketball and leading my high school band down Saint Charles Avenue in several parades every Mardi Gras. Despite my condition, I became President of Key Club, my school's preeminent service organization. In band, I rose to the position of low brass captain by my sophomore year and helped lead our program to a state championship. These accomplishments weren't despite CF; rather, they were attributable to the discipline and determination it demanded. More importantly, CF taught me that overcoming challenges isn't just personal - it's something you can pass on. I have witnessed the powerful influence that encouragement and support can provide. My family's support shaped how I approach leadership: steady, consistent, and focused on lifting others up. Today, I aim to help my peers push through their own anxiety and self-doubt, whether on a team, in the classroom, or in my community. I try to mimic a support system that made a difference in my life, and if I can help even one person recognize their potential, then every challenge I've faced has served its purpose.