NC State vet student wins $25,000 Taco Bell scholarship
Julia Carlin watched as her sister struggled in the hospital. She was given a 1% chance to live and was put in a medically induced-coma. Where it felt like there was no hope, she found comfort in the program the hospital had to have service dogs visit patients and their families in times of distress.
Her sister, Alexa, defied the odds. Her near-death experience brought on a string of health issues including being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis.
Since then, Julia has loved animals and wanted to start a career in veterinarian medicine.
Alexa went on to become a nationally recognized motivational speaker and was named one of the "Most Powerful Women In Fort Lauderdale" by Gold Coast's Fort Lauderdale Daily. She spoke at the Taco Bell Foundation a few years ago, opening the door for her sister to apply to a scholarship.
Out of the 11,000 students that applied, Julia was chosen to be one of the 11 student winners. Julia won the grand prize: $25,000.
Julia graduated with a degree in Biology from the University of Central Florida at the top of her class and is now a first-year student a North Carolina State university's veterinarian program. Only 20 students are chosen from their veterinarian program each year.
Already, Julia's research has been published in a medical journal. And like her sister, she is a spokesperson too, but for the company 4Ocean educating the public about pollution.
She hopes to use her degree to save animals and the environment.
The Taco Bell Live Más Scholarship accepts applicants based on "passion." Applicants are asked to submit a two-minute video describing their passion. Employees and fans of age 16 to 24 can apply, and prizes range from $2,500 to $25,000 per student.
