2025 Vivienne Loose Viewmont HS

Breaking Waves

Looking back to the first 15 years of my life in South Carolina to the most recent ones in Utah, I have grown like a wave to shape my coastline of success. The first couple of months that I lived in Utah, I went through what only one to two percent of girls my age experience.

In retrospect, it was just another ordinary morning in January 2022, or so I thought. My cell phone alarm awakened me for school, and I crawled from bed to begin getting ready. I styled my hair in an “up-do” and showed my mom. I then heard her gasp. I thought to myself, “Does my hair look bad?” It did not; the issue was that more than half of the amount of hair on the occipital side of my head was missing. As soon as my mom told me this, I ran straight to the mirror, thinking to myself, “How am I supposed to go to my new school with no hair?” I finished getting ready, and my mom rushed me to see the pediatrician. I was diagnosed with a rare condition, Alopecia Areata.

After my diagnosis, I was worried that I might develop the reputation of “Bald Girl” at my new school. Even though some may say that, I have learned that it’s not what the 1,518 kids at my school think that matters; it’s what I think. I learned how to love who I was despite what teenagers may say. I decided to show up to my first day of school ready for a new journey having no idea of what that morning would lead me to.

After hearing this, I was eager to learn about the facts behind the disease. The intricacies of the immune system, the delicate balance required to maintain health, and the challenges of diagnosing and treating autoimmune. My Alopecia Areata may have caused my hair to fall out, but it also sparked my love for the medical field. I have had the opportunity to shadow and work with respected doctors, including Dr. Brooks Bahr, the owner of Bahr Dermatology where I received my first treatments, and Dr. Christopher Hansen, my current Autoimmune Dermatologist at the University of Utah. I have also had the opportunity to receive different certifications like my Certified Nursing Assistant and my Registered Medical Assistant. These experiences have not only deepened my understanding of Alopecia Areata but have also solidified my commitment to pursuing a career.

Every time I assist in a clinical setting, I am reminded of that moment in the mirror, the fear and uncertainty I felt, and how far I’ve come since then. In the beginning, this diagnosis felt like a wave crashing over me, but, just as waves reshape the shore, this obstacle reshaped my resilience. I discovered that I have a gift for being able to work through things and make new possibilities. This journey has transformed my initial fear into a profound sense of purpo