Bethany Lloyd is a highly motivated, relentless Liberian-American from Houston, Texas, where she attends Dickinson High School. Rather than becoming discouraged by the obstacles she faces, she utilizes her experiences to motivate her to work toward a better future for herself, her family, and the world.

Heavily motivated by a lifetime of scars on her fingers from taking her blood sugar and the mental toll that having Type-1 Diabetes has had on her life, Bethany is most proud of her work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), where she has served as a youth ambassador since 2015 and has helped raise over $20 million to fund a cure for the disease. Through the JDRF, she was also selected to represent Texas at the JDRF Children’s Congress in our nation’s capital, where she lobbied congressmen and senators for additional T1D policies, which resulted in increased funding for the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) for the first time in 20 years! Bethany is also immensely proud of her achievements as a member of the Dickinson Youth Action Council where she works to create change in her local community, as well as being recognized as the Distinguished Young Woman of Galveston County and a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar.

In the future, Bethany hopes to create groundbreaking change in the realm of Type-1 Diabetic policy and legislation by attending law school, and she aims to reach the White House and to “be the change she wishes to see in the world”.

Anahit is driven by a profound commitment to creating environments where empathy, vulnerability and a sense of belonging thrive. She believes that every interaction is an opportunity to inspire and support others, making a tangible difference in their lives. Her passion for healthcare, combined with her love for working with children, fuels her dedication to finding roles that promote her own growth and have a meaningful impact on the community.

Heavily involved in City of Burbank programming, Anahit has served as a Summer Reading Assistant at the Burbank Public Library, where she facilitated children's engagement in activities, assisted with reading, and encouraged creative development. Later, she became a Counselor-in-Training for the Burbank Parks and Recreation after-school DAZE program, overseeing 1st to 5th graders and leading a variety of activities. Anahit further demonstrates her commitment to community engagement by serving as an intern for Adrin Nazarian's City Council campaign, where she actively engages with community members to increase voter awareness and support.

To further explore her passion for medicine, Anahit works as a medical receptionist at a healthcare practice and volunteers at the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, where she contributes to the comfort and well-being of patients. She aspires to become an Optometrist, a goal deeply rooted in her childhood experience of being prescribed eyeglasses. Reflecting on this, Anahit shares, "I hope to one day contribute to the field and help children see better, just as my optometrist helped me. By advancing in this field, I aim to promote healthcare equity and make a meaningful difference in the lives of young patients."

Bethany Lloyd ︳League City, TX

Anahit Grigorian ︳Sun Valley, CA