Mikelyn Mijos

How are you a changemaker?

My uncontrollable history makes me a changemaker. At the age of six, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor, requiring most of my time to be spent in the hospital, so I started to fall behind academically. Thus, I was placed into special education. There is a bad stigma surrounding the idea of “special education,” but what a lot of people don’t realize is that it offers students, like me, confidence and our own pathway to success.

As a result of my surgery, I have not been able to control the entire right side of my body perfectly, but this will never stop me from pursuing my goals. My goal is to become a role model for others, by showcasing that goals can be accomplished regardless of an individual’s background.

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"What is ONE simple thing others can do to be changemakers?”

Building meaningful peer and adult connections is key. I truly live by this and have benefitted immensely. In my high school experience alone, the relationships I have developed with adults have offered me a different perspective on school, especially through the realization of issues on campus that are not common knowledge to other students. These connections also offer me the opportunity to share ideas with people of diverse experiences. Don’t be afraid to expand your horizons by stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring new ideas.