Drum Roll Please…Announcing Our 2026 Anne Nymark Young Adult Furthering Education Grantees!

Seeing these incredible young adults pursue their dreams is very inspiring. Purple Playas is beyond happy to announce our 2026 Anne Nymark Young Adult Furthering Education Grantees!

Brady has Juvenile Dermatomyosistis and will attend his second year at Xavier University to become a financial analyst.

Ever since I was in high school, I have had a passion for learning about markets, investments and finance as a whole. When I was younger, I would talk to my uncle about his investments and how his portfolio was performing. This interest and curiosity have guided my academic pursuits and continues to shape my career goals. I aspire to be a financial analyst, where I can apply the skills to evaluate investments, manage risk and make informed decisions. Throughout my professional career, I hope to advance to a leadership role where I can influence financial business strategies.

My story of struggle has become a story of purpose. In eighth grade, I was diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease that completely changed my life. Suddenly, I was in and out of doctors’ offices, learning to adapt while my friends went about life as usual. It was not easy, but I refused to let my diagnosis define me. Instead, it became the foundation for my resilience and my determination to find ways to help others.

Now as a student at Xavier University, I’m studying finance and Spanish while staying active with service learning. I volunteer at Casa de Paz, a domestic violence shelter for Latino women and children, where I use both my language skills and compassion to support families who need a safe place.

I am not just pursuing a degree; I am pursuing a life of impact. My experiences have taught me that challenges can shape us into stronger, more empathetic people, and I want to use my strength to keep serving others, no matter where my path leads.

Genesis has Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and will attend Tallahassee State College to become a writer and an English teacher.

My goal is to publish a poem book that I have been writing throughout my years in high school. I want Christ to reach people through me and the talents that he has given me, like writing. My future plans are to major in creative writing to write novels, poems, children’s books, and possibly become an English teacher. I want to work hard for my parents, to give back to them, because they have supported me through my ups and downs. My dreams are to travel to New York and South Korea with my mother because we both want to go! I want to be a bit bolder in the future. I want to sell my paintings and go to at least one concert to watch the bands I love. If I work hard in school and find a nice job, I can achieve my goals and dreams!

I have JIA (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis). I remember in my late junior year of high school, my fingers started to hurt when I wrote. Then a few weeks later, my feet started to hurt. My fingers then started to swell, and I could not tie my shoes, brush my hair, change my clothes, or rest comfortably. Simple activities were difficult. Over the summer of 2025, I pushed hard to make sure I played volleyball for my senior year, but the pain got so bad that my whole body was swollen and I couldn’t even get up in the morning. I had to go to the hospital many times because the pain had affected my breathing.

I am doing a lot better now! I was able to play sports during the year, and I am working at my school! I was also able to raise my grades! I can guarantee that arthritis was and sometimes still is the most difficult challenge I have faced in my life, but I will never let it stop me from accomplishing the things I want to do. Having arthritis has shown me that when we fall, however many times, we always need to get back up!

Ifeoluwa has Lupus and will attend University of West Florida to become a medical malpractice attorney.

My main career goal is to become a medical malpractice attorney. I want to advocate for individuals and families who have been harmed by medical negligence or those who simply just need an advocate against it to ensure they receive justice and accountability.  I am passionate about combining law, critical thinking, and compassion to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives. I also hope to use my career to educate others about their rights and improve trust and fairness within the healthcare system.

While I can list many personal qualities, the greatest strength that will help me achieve my goals are the women in my life. My mother and sister are my counselors, confidants, role models, and source of peace. They continuously encourage me to push forward, even during difficult moments. Achieving these goals will not be easy, but their support gives me the motivation, stability, and determination to keep going no matter the obstacles I face.

I am committed to learning and becoming a better version of myself. I strongly believe that as people, we evolve over time, our experiences change us, our dreams can shift, and our understanding of our destiny deepens. My journey has not always been linear, but every challenge and change has helped me become more resilient, intentional and hopeful for my future. What makes me unique is my ability to remain grounded and determined even when I do not have complete certainty about how my path will unfold.

Whether I continue toward my current goal of becoming a medical malpractice attorney or my direction changes over time, I am confident that I will continue pushing myself to become someone I can be proud of in whatever field I pursue. I choose not to fear growth or change instead; I embrace it as part of becoming the best version of myself. I also take pride in my willingness to put in effort even when things are difficult. I understand that success is not something you are simply given; it is earned through discipline and perseverance.

Julieann has Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis (CRMO) and psoriasis and will attend Trinity College of Jacksonville to get her associate’s degree and become a radiology technician.

I will be attending college in the fall to get my associate’s degree and play college volleyball. I am now going to go into the medical field to become a radiography technician and hopefully an MRI tech. I chose to go into radiology because of going through the tests for my own health.  It can be really scary and hard, and I want to give back and help those kids and people who are going through terrible and hard things. I want to be that light for them and help them through having imaging done!  I also hope to marry the love of my life and have a family with two to four kids.

A week after my 8th birthday, I was in an extreme amount of pain, so much that I could not get up out of my bed. A week prior, I was a very active, healthy 8-year-old girl. Well, after a week of severe back pain, I was sent to the University of Iowa Hospital. One month later, after countless tests and scans, I was diagnosed with Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis a one in a one-in-a-million disease.

The most significant challenge I have faced is not knowing if my disease will ever go away or get better. Being diagnosed at 8 years old and still having this disease at 18 has been very hard. When I was 8 and had to hear the doctor say there was no cure, and they didn’t know if it would ever go away was beyond anything I could imagine. Little did I know that having to hear this was only the beginning. Having to go through countless treatments, medications, pain, and still not knowing if I was getting better or ever would was even harder.

Having a rare one-in-a-million disease has taught me never to give up, even if someone tells you that you can’t. Another thing I have learned from this disease is that life isn’t what happens to you; it is what you make it. Living with this disease has been very hard and a long road that’s still not over. Saying this, I now know in life, you can’t dwell on the bad things, you have to look at all the good too. Even when you feel nothing is good, you can find something. When I thought everything was wrong in my life, I started looking for what was right, good, or what made me happy. I believe this will greatly help me in my future, to always find the good in bad and hard situations, and to never give up even when someone tells you that you can’t do it.  I can’t pause my life for this disease. I have to keep moving, and if the disease follows, I just have to keep going.

Lariah has Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and will attend Florida A&M University to become a nurse.

My future goals are rooted in both personal growth and service to others. Career-wise, I plan to pursue a path in healthcare to become a nurse. I have loved helping others, but living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and Lupus has deepened my desire to care for others who cannot advocate for themselves. Personally, I want to live a life where my health challenges do not define my limits but instead fuel my determination.

Living with JIA and Lupus has challenged me physically, emotionally, and academically, but it has also shaped me into a resilient and determined individual. While many people may see obstacles, I have learned to see opportunities for growth. My journey has not been typical. I have had to balance chronic pain, fatigue, and medical treatments while still pursuing my education and future goals. Despite being on Hospital Homebound, I did not allow my circumstances to stop me. Instead, I adapted, stayed focused, and continued striving for success.

Humanitarian-wise, I hope to raise awareness about autoimmune diseases, especially in young people. Many people do not understand the daily pain, fatigue, and unpredictability that come with conditions like mine. I want to be a voice for others who feel unseen or misunderstood. The strengths that will help me achieve these goals are resilience, discipline, and perseverance. Despite flare-ups, hospital visits, and periods of isolation, I have remained committed to my education. I have learned how to push forward even when my body tells me to stop. I am also adaptable. I’ve had to adjust how I learn, study, and live. This has made me stronger and more focused. Most importantly, I have a deep sense of purpose. Everything I go through reminds me why I cannot give up. I am committed to making something meaningful out of my experiences. I am not just working toward a career; I am working toward a purpose.

Luis has Still’s Disease and will attend Amarillo College to become a nurse.

I dream of becoming a registered nurse, I want to help children with similar conditions like myself. My biggest dream in life is to just live a normal life and have a beautiful family.

I was a junior in high school; I had the best football season I’ve ever had; I was ranked top 100 in the state of Texas as a safety.  I was so happy all my hard worked paid off.  I was playing the sport I love so much… Then the summer of my senior year comes around, and 2 weeks before the season starts, Still’s Disease hit me. My body got so sore that my mother had to help me get changed. I had a sore throat and could barely even swallow. I threw up when I ate or drank anything. Still’s was the worst thing that ever happened to me. I was in the hospital for almost a month and a half. I missed half of my football season. I lost about 40 pounds, and I was never the same player. I lost my college interest and some scholarships.

I don’t quit! I will never let my disease and what happened bother me or change me in any way. I am the most hardworking person. If I want something, I will do anything to get it. I love the challenge of trying to still be normal while having such a rare disease. I’m really thankful that I’m the one in my family who got my disease and not anyone else because I could not have watched anyone else go through what I had too.

Mitchell has Juvenile Arthritis and will attend the University of North Florida to a nutritionist and dietitian.

I have a wide range of subjects I am interested in: culinary, art, and health. Getting into these areas would make my future sustainable and enjoyable. I am often told you should enjoy your job; most jobs I previously considered weren’t interesting to me until I discovered what a nutritionist is. My understanding of diet is often ignorant, and I’ve always wanted to get a better understanding of dietary health for myself while also helping others, and that field helps do exactly that. Getting a hands-on experience for this field would allow me to better understand it since I often learn better from experience rather than from direct information.

I have a 4.27 GPA and have taken around 9+ AICE courses, often excelling in them while getting an AB honor roll for most high school quarters. This information accurately depicts me since my goal was to surpass AICE and gain the benefits of it, and I did. Not only did I do that, but I took 2 extra AICE classes while waiting for confirmation that I passed AICE just to ensure it, highlighting my determination to succeed. Having juvenile arthritis has helped me experience the world differently from other people. It helped me understand that I can go at my own pace, but it also encouraged me to catch up with others at the same time. It helped me understand empathy from experience. I like culinary, art, and health. I would like to become a nutritionist to help people and secure a good future.

Ray has Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 and will be attending Rider University to become a creative writer.

I have often had to prove that my physical fragility is not a reflection of my cognitive potential. Living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)—a chronic, incurable condition—means navigating a world that often mistakes physical limitations for ineptness. While my disability involves dependence, the greatest opportunities have been self-advocacy and managing my own accessibility.

Beyond the classroom, I manage a demanding schedule of medical visits and technological dependence. Attending school through telepresence technology requires constant oversight just to participate. There is an invisible emotional labor in troubleshooting my own inclusion while others focus solely on learning. These experiences as a “voice on a screen” shaped my passion for creative writing.

Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and wanted to analyze it frame by frame? That’s me, all the time. My brain wonders: Why wasn’t the lighting darker? Why didn’t the main character deny the allegation more strongly?

What does that long pause mean? I’ve always asked a million questions—sometimes to my parents’ annoyance. I love alternate endings and “what if” videos, and I often talk with friends about storylines I wish were explored.

My curiosity grew in school, especially in science and English, where I learned how valuable it is to question and analyze. Whether examining a character’s motivation or identifying patterns in data, I found that asking “what if” leads to deeper understanding.

That mindset shapes how I watch films and TV. I look for what makes characters tick and try to uncover deeper meaning. I share my interpretations with others, and even when they disagree, I enjoy the discussion.

In a Socratic Seminar on Of Mice and Men, I argued that Candy’s dog represents his fear of his own fate. After I shared, my teacher said, “I never thought about it like that.” That moment showed me the power of a new perspective.

I’ve begun channeling this passion into podcasting, where I analyze films and explore “what if” scenarios. I’ve also discovered a love for public speaking. After overcoming early challenges in accessing inclusive education, I shared my story at an educators’ conference and was later invited to speak and appear on a podcast.

My analytical mind and imagination drive me toward a future in storytelling. Whether through film, writing, or podcasting, I want to help people see the world a little differently.

Sarah has Juvenile Arthritis and is pursuing her Masters of Science at the University of Florida to become a Biochemistry and Molecular Biologist.

I sit exactly at the intersection of being a patient and a researcher. Living with chronic illnesses has given me a firsthand understanding of what it means to depend on medical breakthroughs. This personal journey doesn’t just motivate me; it defines how I approach my work in the McKenna lab, where I research adeno-associated virus vectors for gene therapy. I don’t just see the data from experiments because I see the faces of patients who are waiting for life-changing medications.

My educational goal is to defend my thesis and graduate with my Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Professionally, I want to work as a scientist in research and development at a pharmaceutical or biotech company while continuing to serve my community.

Through my coursework and thesis research, I have gained hands-on experience designing experiments, analyzing data, and troubleshooting. I work in a research lab focused on adeno-associated virus vectors for gene therapy which aligns directly with my long-term goal of working in drug research and development. Living with chronic illnesses has shaped my professional goals in a deeply personal way. Knowing firsthand what it is like to rely on effective treatments makes research feel meaningful far beyond the lab. I want to contribute to developing therapies that improve outcomes, especially for patients with limited options. In the long term, I also plan to remain active in community service by using my scientific training to advise medical nonprofits, ensuring my work makes a difference both inside and outside the laboratory.

T.J. has juvenile arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease with ulcerated colitis and gastroparesis.  He is attending University of North Florida to become a librarian and writer.

My personal dream is being able to write my own book series. I love reading and writing stories, particularly fantasy, and would love to get the chance to tell my own story. I choose the median of literature because that is where my greatest interest and skills lie.

The most significant challenge I have faced is my own health. I have spent a significant amount of time in the hospital and away from friends and family, especially in my youth. This time was isolating and difficult as I was confused of what was happening to me and was greatly ill. It was challenging to connect with my peers as they didn’t understand what was wrong with me and why I was gone so often. I also wasn’t physically capable of doing many activities with them such as playing games and sports. It took a lot of will and patience to overcome this challenge; keeping in contact with people and doing what was needed, even the difficult parts, helped me improve and better myself.

I have faced many struggles so far and I have persevered through all of them. I have worked tirelessly in school to be one of the top students and helped many others to achieve the same thing. I have also managed to keep my dream going despite the hardships and workload. No matter the troubles I may face, I will keep going until I graduate from UNF.