Every once in a while, my two worlds collide and I get to take pictures of someone who came into my life through education.  This stunning young woman is the perfect example of that.  I knew her when she was a prepubescent middle schooler.  With her auburn hair and sprinkles of freckles across her cheeks, she was the kind of student that made you happy you became an educator.  The kind of girl you want your daughter to be like when she grows up.  Ironically, I never taught her.  She never once was in my classroom.  But her spirit is so enveloping, her resolve to achieve is so inspiring, her presence is such a positive force of energy,  you just want to be in the same room with her so you can one day say you were in the presence of greatness.  

I know when you look at these pictures you will see a blithe, affable, stunning young woman who has no more worries on her mind then how to make best use of those 140 characters to convey her emotions of the day.  

Oh, can appearances be deceiving.  

This gorgeous carefree wood sprite is really...a warrior.  

She has fought battles that some will go their entire lives never once meeting.  She battles day in and day out against enemies that large burly hairy grown men would cower away from.  She is, in essence, one of the most amazingly awe-inspiring astonishingly able people I have ever met.  

She is the face of cystic fibrosis.  

When you are fighting your daily battles with your own personal demons and you are in need of dose of inspiration to get you through your day, just think of her and be glad that one day...she will be the leader of our country.  Or the doctor to cure CF.  Or the cause of world peace.  She hasn't figured it out yet.  She's got those 140 characters to update before she decides.  

To show your gratitude to this young woman for all the good she has brought and will continue to bring to our world, jump on over to her website and donate a few bucks in her honor.  Just think of it as an investment.  In our future.

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