News Flash

 HIVE - Leadership Conference 2026 (Next Month)

I am really excited to spend quality time with my friends and learn as much as I can possible in regards to leadership within the disability community. I definitely hope we can work out the details soon and have a plan in mind with how we want to get ourselves there, which if you ask me right now is a whole different story. I cannot wait to grow more as a leader within a community of people who I genuinely care about so much and want to see be successful in whatever life hands them. It will be held at the same building that I remember being at two years ago and having the best time ever making new friends along with helping in various capacities in making sure things ran smoothly during breakout sessions---- conference goers participated in. 

BYU Ballroom Dance Company - Rhythm 

I have attended this concert every single year since I was really young and cannot wait to see it again this coming weekend. I truly have a deep love for ballroom dance and since a family member of mine was able to specialize in the sport for many years--- there is not a chance I would want to see anything else. I am so grateful for the excitement and energy that comes from watching the dancers perform their best along with just simply putting a smile on your face!!! I am excited to see what new dance numbers are going to be in the show this year and watch everything the performers have worked tirelessly on for weeks if not months on to showcase their talents. 

I Believe - Music Video 

This beautiful song was released a couple of weeks ago and it has definitely become an anthem of mine for the last little bit. I am truly blessed to have a true friend and hero on my side everyday to help me in times of hardship along with keeping the faith to be more like him. I am grateful for the comfort he has brought into my life when I have needed it most and guiding me along on the covenant path. I feel very lucky to have a testimony of this restored gospel and knowing that everything in life happens to us for some kind of specific purpose. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ so much more than anything in what has been a spiritual journey of drawing closer to him each day and knowing that he will take care of whatever comes along my path. I know that he lives and look forward to seeing him again on the other side!!! 

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Weekly Dump

MONDAY NIGHT: (March 23rd)

It was truly an incredible evening to remember as my twin sister and I along with our parents attended the second round of the WBIT that was taking place in the BYU Marriott Center. I probably cheered a little bit too much while seeing our team compete and giving it everything they had to make this season one that no Cougar fan will soon forget. We also had an opportunity to hang out and get our picture taken with just the greatest collegiate mascot of all time, which if you ask me is a treat in more ways than one!!! I really liked getting to dance in the stands and watching the lights go pitch black while everybody got out their phones with our flashlights on to make it look like a pretty night sky. 

I am genuinely thrilled to report that our team pulled out the win and made all of Cougar nation so proud of what they continue to bring to the table. I know it has been a whirlwind for them with mixed emotions that have either left you wondering what lies ahead for us or what is the rest of the post season going to be like. I also was able to wave to a young woman who does so much behind the scenes for the teams one of their life long managers that is very loved by everyone who knows her. It really made my night getting to see a smile on her face while the team continued to dominate in every way possible was such a delight in more ways than one. I definitely have appreciated her example to me of persevering through life and just putting your trust in the Lord to help you see his hand in what you do, has left me wanting to be a better person. 

At the very end of this game, I quickly climbed over some of the blue seats in the section we had been sitting in and I briefly said hi to one of the assistant coaches that was a former BYUWBB player whose season at BYU was not too long ago. It did take me a minute to politely yell their name without making a fool of myself with those around & was luckily able to get their attention for what felt longer than a second. This assistant coach has been an incredible example to me over the last bit of what it means to be a mature, professional, respectful and self-less leader not only in the game of b-ball but in every day life. I didn't necessarily know what else to say in that moment and yet seeing the smile on her face pretty much told me they are loving every second of their position on the staff while keeping their faith in the Lord to guide them to where this team needs to be. I obviously would have loved to give them one of my nice big hugs and talk for a little bit more---but I guess it will have to keep waiting for another time. #KeepingTheFaith.

LAST NIGHT (March 26th)

My twin sister and I along with our best friend Maria (not to mention my mom) were able to attend the quarter final round of this WBIT. We had the absolute best time ever watching our team play and seeing Cosmo the Cougar dance on the opposite side of the court was a delight to see. We also somehow were able to get seen on the big screen and squeal at the top of our lungs with excitement that was not gonna be stopped any time soon. Prior to walking into the game, We bought some goodies to munch on that I think made it a lot more enjoyable for us to watch the game itself and not to mention the delicious milk that was cookies n' cream flavored. 

We laughed till our hearts were tired and danced as much as we could while people quietly wondered if we were just having too much fun or made things awkward. I definitely wanted to see our team pull out another win that we truly deserved to have and the fact we get to watch them from the comfort of home while they play in Kansas will be an experience to remember. I really want us to play decent basketball and continue to focus on what is at hand in this tournament for us, because I truly believe that we could bring back some hardware to display. 

AGAIN----One of the assistant coaches that I briefly mentioned earlier saw me, my twin sister along with our best friend without any hestation cheered for them as they were walking off the court with a big smile on their face. It was really awesome seeing them a second time in just a few short days and watching them do what they have worked very hard to get to where they are. I obviously made the moment a little too energetic and crazy but I think my intentions were somehow in the right place with letting them know I was there to cheer for them---no matter how we needed to get their attention. 

IN CONCLUSION----I wish our BYUWBB team and coaches all the best of luck as they prepare to take on Kansas in the semi-final round in this tournament. I know it will be an unforgettable time for everybody involved and hopefully we can pull out another successful win before heading towards the final round that I hope we get to be a part of. I am grateful to be a life long BYU sports fan and simply loving every minute I can of watching our student athletes do what they are passionate about. I cannot wait to see what next season will be like for us and hopefully can make it further into the NCAA if we get there again down the road. 

Best Wishes

 

I really would love to attend the first round of this basketball tournament that our BYUWBB team will be a part of later this week. I know it is not necessarily the tournament we needed going into this month, but there is no question that the lord's hand was part of this in some way and knowing we can play as good as any other collegiate teams out there is truly remarkable. I am confident that our players will give it every thing they can on the Marriott Center court and make it an experience that BYU fans remember for years down the road. I am not particularly certain if we will ever get a chance to make it to one of these at some point and yet it would be amazing to witness this in person. I have complete and utter faith that everything will work out like it is supposed to which if you ask me is more true than it is not---but you get the idea of things here??? 

I am truly blessed to have followed this team's journey from the beginning of our conference play to this point in time and knowing we have so much ahead for us. I have loved getting to watch our players give every single game one hundred precent of what they are capable of doing and recognizing that there is so much good to come from this experience. We are going to make a good impression as we look forward in the post season that is literally around the corner and seeing what things our team needs to work on for the next year is going to be incredible. 

I had it all mapped out in front of me

Knew just where I wanted to go

But life decided to change my plans

And I found a mountain in the middle of my road

I knew there was no way to move it, so I search for a way around

Broken-hearted, I started climbing 

And at the top I found

Every fear, every doubt, all the pain I went through

Was the price that I paid to see this view

And now that I'm here, I would never trade

The grace that I feel and the faith that I find

Through the bittersweet tears and the sleepless nights

I used to pray He'd take it all away

But intstead it became

A beautiful heartbreak

I never dreamed my heart would make it

And I thought about turning around

But heaven has shown me miracles

I never would have seen from the ground

Now I take the rain with the sunshine

Cause' there's one thing that I know

He picks up the pieces

Along each broken road

Every fear, every doubt, all the pain I went through

Was the price that I paid to see this view

And now that I'm here, I would never trade

The grace that I feel and the faith that I find

Through the bittersweet tears and the sleepless nights

I used to pray He'd take it all away

But instead it became

A beautiful heartbreak

I would never trade

The grace that I feel and the faith that I find

Through the bittersweet tears and the sleepless nights

I used to pray He'd take it all away

But instead it became

A beautiful heartbreak

This beautiful song is truly one of the many things that came to mind when thinking about what plans our BYUWBB team had right in front of them. I obviously didn't know where they were going to be at heading into their post season and realizing that maybe this experience for them was needed to happen for a specific reason. I know the Lord's hand was definitely in this process and knowing it what was this team needed going forward into what I know is a very bright future for all of them. I am truly grateful to be one of their many fans who love watching them play a sport they love and are very passionate about in more ways than one!!! I may not know next to nothing in regards to basketball whatsoever or let alone how to be coordinated in sports like this one, but I am confident our team will give it everything they can into their game later this week. I am fairly confident the Lord will direct and guide our coaches who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make everything happen is going to be evident in almost every way possible. 

"Trials either break you or build you. You may not choose your trials, but you always choose your response." 

So Random

Chair Person Role (Temporary)

One of my colleagues emailed me earlier today and indicated that our chair person has taken ill--- which leaves them unable to lead our council meeting tomorrow. I am grateful to have the support of UDDC in this new adventure and really hoping to make a good impression for our council members. I know things will work out for the best and with a script in my hand---there will not be any problems in regards to our routine. I have only ever done a chair position when serving on my favorite committee that showed me what it meant to be a leader within the disability community and never giving up on what I am perfectly capable of. 

I obviously have faith in my heart as well as in the Savior to make through this and cannot be more than grateful to be helping out a colleague who needs it more than ever. I am truly blessed to volunteer all of my time with the best of the best in our state on a regular basis, which might sound a little biased in one way or another... but it is so true!!! I cannot wait to move forward with my efforts inside of a community that I dearly love so much and hopefully make a bigger impact on the lives of people with disabilities in our state.

BYUWBB - NCAA Tourney Hopes

It was truly amazing to watch these ladies compete hard against teams as they were in KC throughout their time in the Big 12 basketball tournament. I obviously loved seeing them win against two opponents that at times I was a little concerned with not knowing what the end results would be and yet I am proud of every single of our players for giving it every they had to represent BYU to the best of their abilities. I hope that they get seeded in a decent spot and maybe have a chance to go further into the tournament--which I will keep praying hard for them every night for them to reach. 

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Untitled Post

BYUWBB Game (Senior Day)

It was truly a night to remember and loved every single minute of watching our players leave everything they had on the court to make their game a success. I especially loved when the nights turned off at the very beginning of the game starting and seeing the greatest of all time show off his dance moves!! I was really excited to watch our team compete against their opponent who beat them by a long way when we played at their place and luckily this time was a little different. I was definitely holding my breath prior to each one of our three pointers going into the basket and seeing our team getting excited at any moment we could turn the game around. We definitely had moments when the score was either down by a few points or all tied up which if you ask me was at times stressful, but definitely fueled our team to only want to do better any chance we had. 

Once the halftime break came around--- We were able to watch the cheerleaders and stunt team perform their national championship routine that was truly an epic moment to see. I really loved where our seats were at too in the sense we could see the team a lot better and see the action taking place on the court--- which if you ask me was a sight to behold. We enjoyed munching on buttered salted popcorn, nachos w/ cheese and of course a diet coke that needed to come along with those snacks too!!! I cannot wait to see our team compete against Houston this week in their first round of the Big twelve tournament and in the hopes of being able to go further into it as much as we possibly can. I know it will be tough to get us all the way to the end---but it would sure be a lot of fun to bring some new hardware back to show off inside the display case. 

After the halftime break ended, I was more than ready to cheer on our team as we went on a very high score run that helped us in more ways than one!!! Despite feeling under the weather, I didn't want to not keep my spirits up and watch our team continue to make this a senior night that nobody would ever soon forget. We loved watching our players dominate on the floor and make beautiful passes that I think only helped us play better throughout the second half. I also really loved seeing a good friend of mine who is one of the managers for the women's team cheer them on from the sidelines with a smile on their face and making it an experience that I will cherish forever. BYU dominated the rest of the game and it was such an amazing feat to watch our team continue to play well on senior day for three amazing team mates who have dedicated so much of their time, energy, passion, hard work into a sport they all loved playing. 

Overall, it was truly one of the most unforgettable days ever and loved getting to celebrate a third win for our BYUWBB team!!! I am excited to watch them continue playing in the NCAA tournament that every collegiate athlete dreams of being a part of and I really hope that our team has the opportunity to do so in a couple of weeks. I know it will be super hard to win as you compete against really good and talented teams who want nothing more than to be successful until this month comes to a close. I am so happy for everyone involved and getting to see what could happen down the road after this week ends- what our chances will be getting into the craziness of March Madness, which if you ask me is perfectly understandable for why this month is what it is!!! #ICYMI. 

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Encouragement

New Leadership Role (Unofficial Business)

LONG STORY SHORT----I still have not been elected in officially to become vice chair for the advocacy first group at my independent living center. I am not quite sure what is taking such a long time for this to all take place or if there is a lot more to the process than what I really expected---but who knows if much of anything will occur from this. I have been waiting anxiously for this to take place and have a feeling it may not be one of their top priorities at this time, with all that needs to happen leading up to serving in an entire new role that I have never taken on before. 

"Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior."

LAST NIGHT----I was really saddened after watching the too close for comfort basketball game that the BYUWBB team ended up short on against an opponent that no one expected to be very good. I have felt the need to share this beautiful quote with one of the assistant coaches and I am not particularly certain if it was what they needed to read at the time, but I hope it was able to lift their spirits in some way that was going to put a smile on their face. 

After I looked up the meaning behind these song lyrics, I was able to find out that it signifies that moving beyond personal limiatations and self reliance to find stronger, deeper faith through direct, personal relying on our Savior, Jesus Christ particularly in challenging times. I love my Savior so much more than I could even put into words at the moment and knowing he has stuck with me through everything that has ocurred in my life is such a blessing. 

Even though the outcome of this basketball game was painful for everybody, I know the lord's hand was in every aspect of it with the players and letting them know it would all be made right. I have complete along with utter faith that our team will bring out their fire into what they put into their last game against our not to be named rivalry school and pull off another victorious dub. I may not know much about basketball and how everything about the game plays out---but I am confident we can keep our heads up high I believe we willl be able to do it. 

I know our basketball teams need to work extra hard this week to pull off wins and make our fans really proud of their efforts to give it everything they have. I know it will be really tough to not have our best players out there on the court and helping our team look as good as we possibly can---but I feel like it's all gonna work out for us in some way or another. 

I am sending my positive vibes and best wishes to both teams as we prepare for what I know will not be an easy task ahead for them to take on opponents that are going to be either a lot more prepared than us or who knows what the situation is going to be??? 

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Field Trip

Utah State Capitol - Disability Advocacy Day 2026

EARLIER THIS WEEK----I particiapted alongside my friends in a full day of events that included a very important training with a scrumptious catered lunch provided by one of the governor appointed entities & not to mention that it was especially fun to visit with former colleagues. It was especially helpful to get an extra few minutes to settle ourselves into our seats and ready for what was going to be a very trenchenous day of information coming at us like a firehose. I sincerely appreciated that our training was held in a brand new building upstairs that had lots of space to move around & take a breather if we needed to have one during any given moment. 

Disability Awareness Rally (Mini Recap)

I was very hesitant about being involved with this part of the DAD events going on and not knowing what to expect in regards to the circumstances we are faced up against. However, I wanted to support all of my friends who are passionate about getting their voices heard and making sure our legislators know what we need to continue living in society. I was impressed with the number of participants we had there rallying alongside us and sharing their beautiful life stories that reminded me of why I want to make a difference for so many people like myself. 

Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities (Reception)

I am not necessarily going to share much about this other than being around my friends and munching on refreshments that were provided. We were able to talk with our legislators about the funding request that I know is going to benefit us down the road and continuing services that are vital to me alongside my peers who attend classes at their IL centers on a daily basis. I really liked getting pictures taken with my friends and laughing till our hearts were tired which if you ask me was nothing short of an understatement. I am glad we were able to talk with our legislators who made the effort to come and listen to our stories that I really hope was able to resonate with them in some way. 

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