Euless, TX
Samantha was seven years old when her mom was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS. The day-to-day uncertainty of her mother’s condition created much adversity for her, which caused her to mature quickly and take on additional obligations to assist her family. “My maturity has allowed me to become an even better student and shaped who I am,” she said. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Orchestra Honor Society, vice president of the school’s philharmonic orchestra, a member of the varsity track team and an attorney-participant in Teen Court. Samantha is interested in law and social sciences. She plans to attend Rice University, and ultimately obtain a law degree. She is specifically interested in areas of the law affecting people diagnosed with MS, including employment rights and disability accommodations. Samantha sees the positive in her mother’s diagnosis and says “we are the person that we are because of those moments when we are challenged to find our very best self, wherever it leads.”