Wants to help others with same problems she had

Because of her health experiences, Tresa Sonnier hopes to become a gastroenterologist.

“I have a chronic illness called pancreatitis. When I was 9, I was in the hospital for two years, so I missed two years of my life. I missed family events and all that. It was pretty depressing. But I was getting better, giving my body time to heal. I think it made me a stronger person.”

How else has that experience influenced your life?
“I’m really into my education. I’ve seen a lot of family members struggle with income and I don’t want to go through that when I’m older. It’s best for me to go to college and get a good job that I love so I’ll be able to enjoy life.

“I’m just starting high school, but I already know I want to become a gastroenterologist. It’s an area I like learning about, and I can end up helping other people with the same problems I had. I can relate to that.”

— Tresa Sonnier