'07 Ambassadors
DO-IT Ambassadors are pursuing postsecondary studies and careers. They share their experiences with DO-IT Scholars and Pals, encouraging them to pursue their goals in college and employment.
Hi. My name is Sam. I am a sophomore at the University of Portland (UP) where I am studying business. I want to have a career related to sports. I am currently the manager of the baseball team at UP. Last summer I was involved in a 100-mile fund-raising bike ride for Friedreich's ataxia, the mobility impairment I was diagnosed with. I also play wheelchair rugby and am a huge sports fan. I love to play baseball, basketball, and football, as well as downhill ski. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
Hi. My name is Peter. I was born and raised in Walla Walla. Although my disability can limit me at times, it has helped me gain strong computer skills. I attend Walla Walla Community College where I study computer networking and game design. I would like to work in the computer technology and video game testing fields. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
I am Liz. I will begin my second year at Everett Community College in the fall. I have not declared a major, but I am thinking about doing something involving children or animals. In my spare time I like to hang out with my friends. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
Hello. I am Blake. I am a sophomore at St. Martin's University where I made the dean's list last fall. I will probably major in business administration. This past summer I worked at Left Foot Organics while taking summer classes. I am an Eagle Scout. I have cerebral palsy. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
My name is Dylan. I have left-side hemiplegia, which primarily affects my left hand and arm. I finished my first year at Skagit Valley College on South Whidbey Island. I am planning on transferring to one of three universities—UW, Southern Oregon, or Western Washington University. In the future I hope to work with sound, lights, or video, whether it be in theater, movies, or music. In my spare time I enjoy hanging out with my friends and using the computer for Internet, chatting, and music. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
Hi. My name is Robyn and I have a bilateral high frequency hearing loss. I will be a junior at Chapman University, which is located near the Angels' Stadium, Honda Center (home of the Anaheim Ducks hockey team), and "the Happiest Place on Earth"—Disneyland. I am currently majoring in athletic training with an emphasis in physical therapy. On campus, I am involved in various clubs but spend most of my time with my sorority (Alpha Gamma Delta), ATSS (Athletic Training Student Society), and as the coxswain of the women's crew team. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
Hello. My name is Stefani. I attend Spokane Falls Community College and plan to transfer to a four-year school. I love music. Piano is my favorite instrument, but I also enjoy playing trumpet, flute, and guitar. My goal is to be a high school music teacher. I have a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).
Hello! My name is Joshua. I attend Grays Harbor College and would like to become a video game designer. I enjoy reading and playing video games. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
Hi. My name is Ashlee. I attend Olympic College. I am studying psychotherapy. I hope to earn a doctorate in psychology. I enjoy swimming, biking, and playing soccer. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
Hi. My name is Sam. I am a student at Olympic College. I discovered DO-IT when I was in high school and have been part of the program ever since. It's a great experience, and I recommend it to anyone considering it. It has been mind broadening. DO-IT has helped me succeed with flying colors in both high school and college. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
Hi. My name is Cory. I am currently teaching English in Shijiazhuang, China. Because my dad was in the Navy, I have lived many different places, including Hawaii, San Diego, Spain, and Italy. For most of elementary and middle school I was bullied and teased, but living in Europe during that time made up for that a little. In February 2004, I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, but it took me until junior year to begin socializing. Now, I am happy with the person I am and speak with people naturally. I have discovered a talent for languages, particularly Chinese. I enjoy listening to metal music, long-distance running, and I take great pride in my long hair, as a symbol of my individuality.
Hi! My name is Melissa. I am beginning my second year at Cascadia Community College where I study English. My goal is to get an English degree and become an English teacher or a librarian. I have spina bifida, which affects my mobility and my motor skills. In my free time I like to watch television, use the computer, spend time with my friends, read books, and write. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
Hi. My name is Scott and I am from Anacortes, WA. I am interested in math and physical education. I have a learning disability called dyspraxia, which makes it hard for me to take notes when instructors are speaking or writing on the board or an overhead, so they make a copy of those materials just for me. I attend Skagit Valley College and would like to major in outdoor recreation. My career goal is to be a park ranger, because I like the outdoors and working with my hands. I enjoy tennis, soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, hiking, cross-country running, hanging out with friends, and playing games.
My name is Megan and I attend Bellevue College. I enjoy art, theater acting, singing, dancing, writing, and helping the environment and wildlife. I have a neurological condition called Tourette syndrome, which is characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations called "tics." In my case, my tics are more severe. Even though my tics can exhaust me, overall I am a positive and energetic person. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
Hey! My name is Shyla, but you can call me Shy. I attend Yakima Valley Community College where I study computer-aided design. I'm considering pursuing a career in space and computer mechanics, web page design, or doing something with aqueducts. I like to take vacations on lakes and in the woods, hang out, and ride horses. I suffered a traumatic brain injury and a spinal cord injury in a car accident in 2004. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2010.
My name is Luke. I am attending my second year at Tacoma Community College. I plan on transferring to the University of Washington and eventually obtaining a Ph.D. in marine biology. I have attention deficit disorder (ADD) and difficulty with organization. I am usually shy, but I do socialize when I know someone, though I am nervous when talking to someone I don't know. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
Hi, my name is Sara. I will be a junior at Evergreen State College. I hope to become a clinical psychologist. I am involved with the campus disability club, and I volunteer at the assistive technology lab. I have a visual impairment. I love to write stories, and I enjoy reading poems. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.
My name is Heidi and I have Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. I am an aspiring writer and librarian. I attend Cascadia Community College. I plan to transfer to University of Washington (UW), Bothell for a degree in library sciences and eventually attend UW, Seattle for my graduate education. I am a Phi Theta Kappa member and have made faculty honors over three times. I have been published five times. I have visited Japan and have a wide variety of talents and interests: anime/manga, comedy, writing, books, Aspie/alternative/geek culture, music, art, etc. I also have an interest in autistic spectrum literature and like to share research. What I like best about DO-IT is that it encourages you to expand your horizons, develop leadership skills, and make tons of great connections. I was a DO-IT Intern at Summer Study 2009.