End of the Decade

As the 2020's approach, I would like to reflect on the last ten years and think about the next ten years because, personally, over the past ten years I have transformed as a person, more than just going from ten to twenty years. Here is a brief snippet of all that I would like to remember from this decade.

2010.

• In the 5th grade, thoroughly enjoying collecting bugs for class (much to my mother's horror)

• Did our first Pet Parade (and won with the extensive float that my parents made)

• Wearing a Sweatshirt, Jeans and Sneakers on the first day of class (nothing has changed)

• On my 3rd Hamster (out of 13 during this decade)

• Our Lake House was purchased (quickly becoming my favorite place in the whole world)

• Want to grow up to become a teacher.

2011.

• No longer want to be a teacher.

• Spend the first summer at the Lake.

2012.

• Broke my leg skiing.

• Stop playing soccer and basketball.

• Started playing Tennis.

• Lost a lot of friendships from Elementary School.

• Maybe I want to be a Nurse?

• Start driving jet ski.

2013.

• Started as a TA for the Life Skills Classroom.

• My grandmother passed away.

• Started watching Sports, particularly football.

• Saw the Seahawks play at the Championship game to qualify for the Super Bowl.

• I want to be a Doctor.

2014.

• Started High School.

• Made the Junior Varsity Tennis Team.

• Start driving boat.

2015.

• My grandfather passed away (and my last grandparent).

• Started Speech and Debate

• Made the Varsity Tennis Team.

2016.

• Built many new friendships.

• Got Bearded Dragon.

• Go Study Spanish in Costa Rica for Three Weeks with my Uncle.

• Began leading Bear Crew Two.

2017.

• Started playing Special Olympics Sports.

• Ran a the first summer camp.

• Start Skiing Black Diamonds (thank you Uncle Ted).

• Start Eating Krave (not religiously *yet* and I think this is the year?)

2018.

• Made it to state for Tennis, Debate and Speech.

• Started College with a double major in Neuroscience and Disability Studies and in the Interdisciplinary Honors Program.

• Met some really amazing people.

• Defined what I wanted to study and why.

2019.

• Founded Nonprofit.

• Received grants #2 and #3.

• Received the Mary Gates Achievement Scholarship from the Honors Program.

• Became the Co-Chair of The Align Program.

• Went to 2 Sounders Games, 10+ Mariners Games, and 10+ Husky Football Games.

• Begin volunteering at a Swedish Hospital.

2020.

• Become the Executive Director of a successful Nonprofit with great programming.

• Study Abroad in Cadiz, Spain.

• See The Align Program begin as a program at the UW.

• Take more time for myself to relax and enjoy the college experience.

• Start Shadowing Doctors.

For me, these events all largely connect to where I am today and who I am. You can see the chronicling of how I got involved in working with people with intellectual disabilities, what my interests became, how I became a confident speaker and an advocate, and how this has shaped what my future looks like. After the busiest quarter of my life, I am excited to see what the next decade has in store.