vanderbilt university

“When I was 14 years old I started volunteering at Camp SOAR. Camp SOAR is an average overnight camp with arts and crafts, swimming, games, snacks and basically all other camp-like activities. The only difference is at Camp SOAR each counselor is paired up with one camper who has a moderate to severe disability. My first camper’s name was Quincy, and saying she changed my life would be a huge understatement. For the week I spent every hour of every day listening to Quincy sing Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” or watching her figure out new crafts she could make. Quincy wasn’t a camper to me, she was a friend. I’ve been a counselor at Camp SOAR every summer and don’t plan on stopping any time in the near future. I still talk to Quincy about what’s happening in her life and how high school is going. This upcoming summer is the year she graduates camp. Starting Camp SOAR altered my life in a huge way. I’m now a Special Education major and plan on teaching in my own classroom. I owe almost all of that to Quincy.”

“During the summer before my junior year in high school I volunteered at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital as part of their STRIVE program. It changed my life because it really filled in me a desire for service and working with the kids there. I decided that I wanted to go to medical school and become a pediatric oncologist. It taught me that I could make a difference.”

“I am passionate about working with individuals with disabilities. My passion began when my cousin was born with a defective heart. Our family had to learn how to interact with her given her disability. My cousin, Ellie, has given us all a tolerance and love for individuals with special needs. Because of Ellie, I started a peer-mentoring program at my high school for students with disabilities. I am also majoring in Special Education and hope to one day make a positive impact on my students’ lives. At Vanderbilt, I also am a volunteer for Nashville Dolphins and a Next Steps Ambassadore. I love working with people with special needs because they often have an innocence and happiness that is, frankly, uncommon in today’s society. I think people with disabilities should not be defined and labeled by their lack of ability, but rather their unique and extraordinary abilities.”

“I am passionate about sports. Since I was a little kid I loved playing sports with my two older brothers. I think sports are a great way to help kids learn about teamwork and problem-solving. I think sports can play a really important role in helping kids grow up and mature.”

“I am passionate about making education accessible to all people. That is why I am studying to become a special education teacher. As students at Vanderbilt we are all very blessed to have the opportunity to pursue our education: ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.'”

“I’m passionate about working out. I try to work out every day even with my busy schedule. Working out is a huge stress relief for me. I enjoy working hard towards something and seeing results, and I’ve really found a passion for working out.”

“Equality is a theme that is central to my life. I believe in the equality of all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, or socioeconomic status. It pains me to see that discrimination still exists and is deeply ingrained in society today, and I believe it is the duty of every human being to fight for justice. If we don’t attempt to improve society, what are we even here for?”

“I am passionate about my family and friends. In my life, these people are the ones who have had the greatest impact on me as well as the ones I’ve spent the most time with. I am passionate about them because I care a lot about them and care a lot about how they’re doing in their lives.”

“I am very passionate about helping others reach their fullest potentials through learning to be themselves. Everyone has insecurities, eccentricities, and things that make them unique, but often times, they are too afraid to show this to others. People need to realize that the expression of their unique traits is something that oftentimes benefits the world. Being a music major helps me to express myself through the medium of music, and also allows me to see others expressing themselves in a similar medium – something I very much do enjoy.”

“I am really passionate about traveling the world and seeing new countries. I am passionate about experiencing new cultures and learning new languages. I love meeting people with different backgrounds and the chaos that comes with traveling. My No. 1 on my bucket list is to travel to all seven continents.”