2021-2022 Scholars
Emily - Wellington, Florida
Emily graduated Magna Cum Laude this summer with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Florida State University (FSU). She double-majored in English with a specialization in Editing, Writing, and Media and Communications Studies. Over the course of her time at FSU, Emily wrote for several on-campus and off-campus publications and gained valuable journalistic experience. Starting in Fall 2021 she is pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Journalism at Columbia University in New York. Emily hopes to write for a national publication where she can tell the stories of those whose voices are typically overlooked. Advocacy for others is a large interest of hers, which she hopes can guide her career. Recently, Emily became involved in a Cystic Fibrosis-related study at the National Institute of Health. She hopes that her participation will make a positive impact on the CF community and help many others, such as her little sister who also has CF.
Alex – Gibson City, Illinois
Alex recently graduated high school as Valedictorian of his class and is currently a freshman at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Alex plans to study astronomy, combining his interest in math and science with his love of space. He hopes to use his degree to educate people on the world beyond our own and be part of the effort to explore the universe. Alex was an Illinois State Scholar and College Board 2020-2021 Rural and Small-Town Scholar. A four-year member of band and choir, Alex also participated in student government, chamber choir, musicals, variety shows, scholastic bowl, Spanish Club, soccer, and track. He has been performing in musicals with his local theater group, A.C.T., since he was six years old. Alex’s love of music led him to participate in sINgSPIRE, an organization of Breathe Bravely, that uses the art of singing to fight the effects of Cystic Fibrosis. He was honored to participate in sINgSPIRE’s Virtual Choirs 3 and 4 and the Eric Whitacre Virtual Choir 6.
Jack - Downers Grove, Illinois
Jack is a freshman at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in pre-engineering. He has shown great interest in the fields of mathematics and science and graduated from high school with high honors. He was a member of his high school’s National Honor Society, President of the Law Club, and a member of the golf team. During the summer and school year, Jack worked as a babysitter and a Team Leader at a local bakery. Jack has also spent many hours volunteering at his parish as a basketball coach and for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He has raised over $100,000 as a team leader for the annual CF Great Strides fundraiser. Jack hopes to continue to use his knowledge and CF background to better enhance the lives of all.
Inga - Portland, Oregon
Inga is a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master’s Degree at the Oregon Health & Science University - Portland State University School of Public Health. She is a 2013 graduate of the Robert D. Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon where she earned a BA in Planning, Public Policy, and Management. Prior to returning to graduate school, she worked in the public health field for 6 years, primarily with local county health departments. In this work she focused on tobacco prevention and education, healthy eating, active living, and public policy. After earning her degree, Inga hopes to work on more health policy to promote a healthier, more equitable world. She has been a mentor in the CF Peer Mentor program and participated in many CF-focused clinical trials. In her spare time, Inga likes reading and making art.
Else - Fairbanks, Alaska
Else is a sophomore at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington where she is a member of the Dean’s List. She is majoring in biology with minors in both exercise science and music. Else has been an active participant in many clinical trials for CF modulator medications and is eager to pursue a career in medicine in the future. She’s also been studying violin for the past 15 years and has been a leader in numerous orchestras and ensembles in her hometown and in college. At UPS she’s involved in the symphony orchestra, chamber music, ultimate frisbee team, cross country running club, and pre-health club. Outside of school, she enjoys cross country and downhill skiing, hiking, biking, skateboarding and camping.
Sean - Phoenix, Arizona
Sean is a sophomore at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He is majoring in commercial music with a minor in music business and aspires to have a career in the music industry. From a young age, Sean has spoken and sang at various fundraising and awareness events for Cystic Fibrosis. Throughout high school, Sean was an avid member of his school’s award-winning choir program and worked tirelessly as the head choreographer of his show choir to help create beautiful performances. Additionally, he was a four-year member of the North Central Regional Honor Choir, the Arizona All-State Honor Choir, and the Arizona All-State Show Choir. Besides music, Sean loves to travel, dance, and spend time with his friends and family.
Julia - St. Clair Shores, Michigan
Julia is a special education teacher in Michigan pursuing a certification toward special education leadership. Julia holds a bachelor's in special education and a master's degree in education administration from Michigan State University. Julia's long term goals are to create an educational advocacy group that helps to bridge the gaps between the medical and educational world and promotes parent and family empowerment. Julia advocates heavily on behalf of ensuring access to medication for the CF population and works closely with the CF Foundation through public speaking to help raise awareness and funds for research. Julia recently celebrated her one year wedding anniversary with her husband Sean.
Emily - Wellington, Florida
Emily graduated Magna Cum Laude this summer with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Florida State University (FSU). She double-majored in English with a specialization in Editing, Writing, and Media and Communications Studies. Over the course of her time at FSU, Emily wrote for several on-campus and off-campus publications and gained valuable journalistic experience. Starting in Fall 2021 she is pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Journalism at Columbia University in New York. Emily hopes to write for a national publication where she can tell the stories of those whose voices are typically overlooked. Advocacy for others is a large interest of hers, which she hopes can guide her career. Recently, Emily became involved in a Cystic Fibrosis-related study at the National Institute of Health. She hopes that her participation will make a positive impact on the CF community and help many others, such as her little sister who also has CF.
Alex – Gibson City, Illinois
Alex recently graduated high school as Valedictorian of his class and is currently a freshman at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Alex plans to study astronomy, combining his interest in math and science with his love of space. He hopes to use his degree to educate people on the world beyond our own and be part of the effort to explore the universe. Alex was an Illinois State Scholar and College Board 2020-2021 Rural and Small-Town Scholar. A four-year member of band and choir, Alex also participated in student government, chamber choir, musicals, variety shows, scholastic bowl, Spanish Club, soccer, and track. He has been performing in musicals with his local theater group, A.C.T., since he was six years old. Alex’s love of music led him to participate in sINgSPIRE, an organization of Breathe Bravely, that uses the art of singing to fight the effects of Cystic Fibrosis. He was honored to participate in sINgSPIRE’s Virtual Choirs 3 and 4 and the Eric Whitacre Virtual Choir 6.
Jack - Downers Grove, Illinois
Jack is a freshman at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in pre-engineering. He has shown great interest in the fields of mathematics and science and graduated from high school with high honors. He was a member of his high school’s National Honor Society, President of the Law Club, and a member of the golf team. During the summer and school year, Jack worked as a babysitter and a Team Leader at a local bakery. Jack has also spent many hours volunteering at his parish as a basketball coach and for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He has raised over $100,000 as a team leader for the annual CF Great Strides fundraiser. Jack hopes to continue to use his knowledge and CF background to better enhance the lives of all.
Inga - Portland, Oregon
Inga is a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master’s Degree at the Oregon Health & Science University - Portland State University School of Public Health. She is a 2013 graduate of the Robert D. Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon where she earned a BA in Planning, Public Policy, and Management. Prior to returning to graduate school, she worked in the public health field for 6 years, primarily with local county health departments. In this work she focused on tobacco prevention and education, healthy eating, active living, and public policy. After earning her degree, Inga hopes to work on more health policy to promote a healthier, more equitable world. She has been a mentor in the CF Peer Mentor program and participated in many CF-focused clinical trials. In her spare time, Inga likes reading and making art.
Else - Fairbanks, Alaska
Else is a sophomore at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington where she is a member of the Dean’s List. She is majoring in biology with minors in both exercise science and music. Else has been an active participant in many clinical trials for CF modulator medications and is eager to pursue a career in medicine in the future. She’s also been studying violin for the past 15 years and has been a leader in numerous orchestras and ensembles in her hometown and in college. At UPS she’s involved in the symphony orchestra, chamber music, ultimate frisbee team, cross country running club, and pre-health club. Outside of school, she enjoys cross country and downhill skiing, hiking, biking, skateboarding and camping.
Sean - Phoenix, Arizona
Sean is a sophomore at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He is majoring in commercial music with a minor in music business and aspires to have a career in the music industry. From a young age, Sean has spoken and sang at various fundraising and awareness events for Cystic Fibrosis. Throughout high school, Sean was an avid member of his school’s award-winning choir program and worked tirelessly as the head choreographer of his show choir to help create beautiful performances. Additionally, he was a four-year member of the North Central Regional Honor Choir, the Arizona All-State Honor Choir, and the Arizona All-State Show Choir. Besides music, Sean loves to travel, dance, and spend time with his friends and family.
Julia - St. Clair Shores, Michigan
Julia is a special education teacher in Michigan pursuing a certification toward special education leadership. Julia holds a bachelor's in special education and a master's degree in education administration from Michigan State University. Julia's long term goals are to create an educational advocacy group that helps to bridge the gaps between the medical and educational world and promotes parent and family empowerment. Julia advocates heavily on behalf of ensuring access to medication for the CF population and works closely with the CF Foundation through public speaking to help raise awareness and funds for research. Julia recently celebrated her one year wedding anniversary with her husband Sean.