Isabella
Thoroughman

My name is Isabella Thoroughman, and I am a graduated honors student and Presidential Scholar at the University of Cincinnati. I fulfilled both a ballet BFA at the College Conservatory of Music and a pre-medical certificate. 

Every time I told someone my plans to study ballet with pre-med, I heard the same thing: "That's an...interesting combination." It was incomprehensible that I should choose to study both - it was outside of the typical college expectations, the two studies were incompatible, I simply wouldn't have time. 

But I stand here today, a graduated Presidential and honors scholar at UC, with a completed pre-medical certificate, a BFA in ballet, a chemistry award, two writing awards, a published essay, multiple principal ballet roles, and a fulfilled presidency of a campus organization at UC. The impossibility was imaginary - built up in the minds of those who were perhaps too fearful to follow their own big dreams. I am proud of my degree, and I am proud of its duality. The world is full of color, and there is no correct shade or hue. The colors that paint your life will shine brightest when they are composed of your own dreams and purpose.