WHO AM I?
My name is Abigail Kemiel and I am a junior majoring in exercise science at Indiana University Purdue University- Indianapolis. I'm a Bepko Scholar and a part of IUPUI's Honors College. I'm passionate about lending a hand to others. Some of my interests include volunteering in the community and making environmentally conscious efforts. One core value of mine is showing kindness to everyone no matter the person.
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I grew up in LaPorte, Indiana- close to the great lakes of the U.S. I am the youngest of three children and the first to attend Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis. I graduated in the top 20% of LaPorte High School's Class of 2020. I participated in the Girls Reserve Club, Interact Club, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, and the Student Athletic Training Aid program. Volunteering was my forte! Moving to Indianapolis has been a big adjustment for me, but I've found a new home at IUPUI. My school colors have changed from orange and black to red and white- and I couldn't be happier!
LIFE EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE SHAPED ME
7TH GRADE
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My 7th-grade science teacher required every student to participate in the school's science fair. I put my heart into a microbiology project where I studied the best kind of salt used to preserve food. From this, he encouraged me to participate in the northwestern regional science fair where I won second place! I was then invited to the state science fair held at none other than my current school, IUPUI. It was here where I saw kids turn garbage into robots and invent technology to clean water; it was here when I fell in love with science.
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STUDENT ATHLETIC TRAINING AID
After leaving the volleyball team in 10th grade, I decided to still be involved in school athletics any way I could. I was mentored for 3 years under two athletic trainers. Here I learned skills such as taping wrists and ankles, basic first aid training, the importance of being CPR certified, how to take blood pressure, the importance of physicals, and how to prevent injuries before they happen. I attended practices, games, meets, tournaments, and so much more. I assisted with swimming, tennis, soccer, gymnastics, wrestling, and football.
MY FAMILY
Physical therapy first popped up on my radar with my grandmother. She was in and out of the hospital for the short time I knew her and had many health issues. Concerning my mother, I recall coming with her to physical therapy when she dislocated her elbow. My mother has done quite a bit of rehabilitation, and one of my focuses was to help her live to her best ability. I am an advocate for health in my family because I have seen the consequences of failing to take care of your own health.
ATTENDING THE INDIANA STATE SCIENCE FAIR (2014)
THE TEAM OF STUDENT ATHLETIC TRAINING AIDS (2019)
