Hailey Waldenmeyer is a sophomore at the University of Kansas studying biology with the goal of becoming a doctor. She maintains a high GPA while being involved in her sorority, a pre-med fraternity, and serving as president of Love Your Melon Campus Crew. Waldenmeyer works hard to succeed in school despite a busy schedule, drawing motivation from her mother's battle with cancer. She hopes to attend medical school at Georgetown University in the future.

1. Claire Christopherson
Media Writing
April 7, 2015
Hailey Waldenmeyer is (almost) your normal college student. She is involved,
and active in the University of Kansas Community. She works hard and plays hard.
“I’m studying biology and minoring in business. I want to be a doctor. I’ve
haven’t decided what kind though.” Waldenmeyer said.
Forty-two percent of Medical School Graduates in Kansas were women in
2014, according to kff.org.
“I think this percentage shows that women are taking their place in society,
and I am excited to be apart of that.” Waldenmeyer said.
Waldenmeyer is the only girl of her family of five. She knows what it is like to
be surrounded by a male-populated space.
Waldenmeyer is currently a sophomore, and is involved with her sorority as
well as being President of Love Your Melon Campus Crew, a pre-med Fraternity, and
a licensed scuba diver.
“I’m busy, but I like to busy. There’s times where I don’t come home for two
days because I’ll be at the library studying for a O [organic] Chem exam.”
Waldenmeyer said.
Waldenmeyer has maintained a 3.67 GPA throughout her three, almost four,
semesters at the University of Kansas. She has made many friends over her
semesters at the University of Kansas, in her classes and sitting at Anschutz Library.

2. “I met Hailey through her sorority sisters. We all had similar interests and
majors so we started the hang out in the library, and now we’re all super good
friends,” Rachel Berry said.
Berry is a pharmacy major. Waldenmeyer likes to refer to her school friends
as her “science friends.”
“My science friends rock. They understand how much work goes into my
classes, and all the studying that is required of me. Not that my other friends don’t
understand, but my science friends are a little easier on me.” Waldenmeyer said.
While Waldenmeyer has made many new friends at her time at school, she
has kept many from her childhood.
“I’ve known Hailey since we were little, and she has always been extremely
dedicated, stubborn, and a hard-worker.” Mary Ledom said. Ledom is family-friend
of Waldenmeyer, as well as college roommates for two years. They’ve spent a large
amount of their college time together.
The two friends are quite the dynamic duo. Ledom simmers Waldenmeyer
out, who can sometimes be over-the-top, according to other close friends.
“When you study as much as I do, you need an outlet. College is fun, but
school isn’t everything. I like to be social,” Waldenmeyer said.
When Waldenmeyer is not studying or focusing on her extra-curricular
activities, she spends a lot of her time hanging with friends. They like to go on long
drives while blaring the latest tune (Waldenmeyer prefers it not to be Taylor Swift)
or eating at their favorite restaurants like Chipotle or Einstein’s Brothers.
“Taylor Swift sucks,” Waldenmeyer said.

3. Waldenmeyer also likes to study for the MCAT in her free time.
“It is scary, because I know some people will be more prepared for exam time
when it rolls around, but I’m focused. I know what I want and it’s okay to have fun,”
Waldenmeyer said.
Waldenmeyer is President of Love Your Melon Campus Crew, which is a buy-
one, give-one organization that donates hats to children with cancer. She spends a
lot of time promoting the organization.
“I’m really interested in oncology. It’s just a different world. Those kids are so
helpless, and I want to help them to feel otherwise,” Waldenmeyer said.
When Waldenmeyer was 16, her mother was diagnosed with terminal
cancer.
“They told us that she wouldn't live to see my high school graduation,”
Waldenmeyer said.
Today, Waldenmeyer’s mom is fighting cancer and surviving. She plans to
watch her daughter graduate college, including medical school.
“It’s been amazing to see my mom kick cancer’s ass. Yeah, cancer is a
diagnosis but life is a prognosis,” Waldenmeyer said. “You never know how it’s
gonna turn out, and miracles happen.”
As far as Waldenemeyers’s sorority, and fraternity life, she enjoys it. “My
sorority has brought me a lot of happiness. My friends are just amazing,”
Waldenmeyer said. “My pre-med fraternity is also amazing. You will never meet a
smarter, yet more down to earth, group of people.”

4. College life, although busy, is exciting for Hailey. She looks forward to her
next two years at the University of Kansas, and hopefully her dream medical school
at Georgetown.
“I have two bulldogs at home. Georgetown’s mascot is a bulldog. That’s why
it’s my dream school. And because of its impeccable medical school reputation,”
Waldenmeyer said.
Waldenmeyer has set high standards for herself and expects to achieve
nothing less through her hard work and dedication.
“I’m excited but nervous for my future. I know if I keep working hard and
pushing myself, I’ll make a great medical student and doctor,” Waldenmeyer said.