/*Dana Hills High School*/ senior Kayla White volunteers at /*Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center*/ in Mission Viejo. She has helped patients check into the hospital, helped out while they are there, and has even been able to watch medical procedures. All of that has led her to make a major life decision.
"That's really the point when I realized I really want to be involved in the medical field," said Kayla. "I like this stuff, I can deal with this stuff. It's what I want to do with my life."
Kayla is also a track athlete, and she's overcome many hurdles in that field. She discovered she had a condition known as vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), which hindered her breathing while running. Working with her allergist, Kayla put together a brochure to help others dealing with the rare disorder.
"It outlines what is VCD, all the different triggers and breathing exercises that you can do to help manage it," said Kayla.
Kayla is also involved in /*Girl Scouts*/ and has started a /*Teens for Literacy*/ program. Her many interests and skills have impressed those that have known her through her high school career.
"She does everything well," said guidance counselor Audra Lee. "She's very diverse. She's an asset to the school and our community, and to the middle schools, to her clubs, to her cross-country team. She's awesome."
But it is her time at the hospital that has pointed her toward a career in medicine.
"Go to a UC med school afterwards and pursue my dream of either becoming an obstetrician or a pediatrician, allergist, some sort of clinical work," said Kayla.
Kayla White has already given so much to her community, and it seems our Cool Kid has much more ahead.
