By Desi Haghgoo
I was very lucky to join Footprints in Spring 2024! Although I was nervous about joining an organization where I didn’t know anyone, I soon found my happy place within UF. My Thursday morning shifts on Units 44 and 45 with Julianne and Alanna (my great-grandma!) always made my week during the Spring semester! The kiddos on the units would also play games with me like pool, Wii, or painting a million flowers.
I also met my amazing and beautiful mother, Chelsea Ball, and was introduced to our matriarchs, my grandma Emily and my great-grandma Alanna. Spending time with these smart, funny, and incredible women brought me so much happiness, especially during the Spring semester when I faced many challenges. They made my not-so-amazing days feel special.
The friends I’ve made within Footprints are some of the most intelligent and hardworking people I’ve ever come across. They push me to become a better version of myself, but above all, I feel as though I can be my full self with no judgment.
More importantly, Footprints introduced me to Dance Marathon at UF, an organization for which I am a proud ambassador. Our former ambassadors, Lauren and Tori, helped me become a dancer for the main event in 2024. For the main event in 2025, I’ll be filling their shoes with my co-ambassador, Nadia. The two of us have worked hard to ensure Footprints’ voice is heard. Before Footprints, I had heard of Dance Marathon, but had no idea what they did or the impact they had on the millions of families who have walked through the very same doors at Shands that I walk through when I volunteer.
Footprints has truly been my happy place at UF. I know that when I eventually graduate, I will look back on my time at UF with nothing but love, and Footprints will be one of, if not the biggest, contributors to that.
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