My name is Kayla Slater. I grew up in a small town, Moravia, NY, about an hour south of Syracuse. Currently, I am a dietetic graduate intern.
I have always known I wanted to have an impact on people and society by helping others, but was never sure how I would and make a living. I grew up understanding the importance of community service through Girl Scouts and realized I loved helping others through Habitat for Humanity. After graduating high school, I received and accepted a scholarship to Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. I enrolled as an English major, became a member of many clubs, a sorority, and ran cross country. I thought I would have an impact on people/children by writing and teaching, but in my sophomore year in college, I felt lost and unsure of where my future was going. I realized I wanted to do something that had a different impact on society.
But what? At the time, more people were becoming aware of nutrition and health. Adults and children were overweight, obese, and developing type 2 diabetes. As a child, I ran 5Ks with my mother and grew up eating fresh vegetables out of the garden. I ate healthier compared to my friends and family, but I really did not understand the importance of exercise or eating nutritiously and many other people do not either. But I knew I was doing something right. I even helped my friend lose weight and to this day he is forever grateful. Then my grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away. My other grandfather was recently diagnosed with Diabetes and has had triple bypass surgery. Everyone around me was dying of cancer or other health problems and I knew they could have been prevented. How? Eating a healthy diet and exercise. I realized I wanted to learn more about nutrition and health to help my grandfather and others. By becoming a Registered Dietitian, I would have the opportunity to do just that.
In Spring of 2011, I enrolled in SUNY Oneonta's Didactic Dietetics program. I have been extremely active while maintaining high grades. My activities include helping my community as a Girl Scout and volunteer in my home community and at college. On campus, I am a member of the Food and Nutrition Association, Nutrition for Performance, the Human Ecology Club, and Habitat for Humanity. I held the position as president of Habitat for Humanity and had a part time job as a student manager at Wilsbach Dining Hall for Sodexo Services.
I have always known I wanted to have an impact on people and society by helping others, but was never sure how I would and make a living. I grew up understanding the importance of community service through Girl Scouts and realized I loved helping others through Habitat for Humanity. After graduating high school, I received and accepted a scholarship to Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. I enrolled as an English major, became a member of many clubs, a sorority, and ran cross country. I thought I would have an impact on people/children by writing and teaching, but in my sophomore year in college, I felt lost and unsure of where my future was going. I realized I wanted to do something that had a different impact on society.
But what? At the time, more people were becoming aware of nutrition and health. Adults and children were overweight, obese, and developing type 2 diabetes. As a child, I ran 5Ks with my mother and grew up eating fresh vegetables out of the garden. I ate healthier compared to my friends and family, but I really did not understand the importance of exercise or eating nutritiously and many other people do not either. But I knew I was doing something right. I even helped my friend lose weight and to this day he is forever grateful. Then my grandfather was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and passed away. My other grandfather was recently diagnosed with Diabetes and has had triple bypass surgery. Everyone around me was dying of cancer or other health problems and I knew they could have been prevented. How? Eating a healthy diet and exercise. I realized I wanted to learn more about nutrition and health to help my grandfather and others. By becoming a Registered Dietitian, I would have the opportunity to do just that.
In Spring of 2011, I enrolled in SUNY Oneonta's Didactic Dietetics program. I have been extremely active while maintaining high grades. My activities include helping my community as a Girl Scout and volunteer in my home community and at college. On campus, I am a member of the Food and Nutrition Association, Nutrition for Performance, the Human Ecology Club, and Habitat for Humanity. I held the position as president of Habitat for Humanity and had a part time job as a student manager at Wilsbach Dining Hall for Sodexo Services.