Jocelyn Gaines: Clemson University — ClemsonLIFE (Sauer Family Scholarship Award)

Jocelyn is starting her freshman year at Clemson University – ClemsonLIFE, where she will study Health and Wellness, Independent Living Skills, and American Sign Language. She hopes to become an ambassador and health coach, educating people with different abilities about healthy food choices and the importance of regular exercise.

A talented musician, Jocelyn has played violin with the Charlotte Symphony Youth Ensemble for the past three years, performing at the Knight and Belk Theaters. She is also a decorated swimmer with the Queen City Dolphins, Ardrey Kell High School Varsity Swim & Dive Team, and Special Olympics Swim Team. Over four years, she has won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the NC Special Olympics State Games and represented North Carolina at the USA Down Syndrome Swimming National Championships in Orlando, earning silver in the 100-meter Backstroke and bronze in the 200-meter Freestyle Relay.

Her recognitions include the Academic Awards for Civic Literacy and Financial Management, being named a Top Senior Inductee by The Charlotte Post, The Principal’s Award, the AK Women’s Swim & Dive Team Spirit Award, and induction into the CMS Athletic Honor Society. Jocelyn also hopes to become fluent in Spanish and ASL to connect with more people and share her belief:

“A diagnosis does not define who you are. I am not a product of my circumstances; I am a product of my decisions.”

Way to go, Jocelyn!