2023 Blog

Got it! Here's the updated version for 2023:

2023 felt like the year everything started to come together. I was heading into my junior year of high school with a clearer sense of who I was and what I wanted to accomplish. My vitiligo had improved noticeably thanks to the light therapy I’d been doing for years. It wasn’t just about the physical changes anymore—mentally, I was in a much better place. I had come to terms with my condition, and instead of letting it hold me back, I used it to fuel my desire to raise awareness and help others.

My vitiligo awareness website really took off in 2023. What started as a small project became something much bigger. I added new content, shared personal stories from people across the world, and even collaborated with organizations focused on skin conditions. The feedback was incredible. People told me how much it meant to them to find a space where they felt understood. That was the most rewarding part for me—knowing that something I created was making a real difference. I even started thinking about ways to expand the site, adding more resources and even a blog where I could talk about my journey and offer advice to others.

HOSA continued to be a huge part of my life in 2023 as well. I took on more leadership responsibilities and helped our team qualify for states again. This time, I made sure we found the funds to attend the international competition, something I missed out on before due to financial constraints. The experience was unforgettable. Competing on a larger stage and meeting people from all over the world who shared my passion for healthcare was inspiring. It solidified my goal to pursue a career in the medical field, with a focus on helping those who struggle with conditions like vitiligo and other visible differences.

By the end of 2023, I was feeling more motivated than ever to push forward. Even though I was still in high school, I could see the bigger picture taking shape. The lessons I learned about patience and resilience kept me grounded, and my experiences with HOSA and my advocacy work helped shape my goals. I knew 2024 would bring even more opportunities, and I felt ready for whatever came next.