2008 Ina Brudnick Recipient, West Region 
While other 9-year-olds spent their summers playing outdoors, Elizabeth Davis of
Bozeman, MT, spent most of hers in and out of hospitals. By that fall, she was
diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and by winter had undergone surgery.
Passionate about sport, soccer and tennis in particular, Elizabeth yearned to
make her high school teams. Through hard work and determination, she did just
that on her first try during her freshman year. Then, as a sophomore, she
became captain of her soccer team. For her final two years, Elizabeth focused
on tennis and won State in doubles and Most Valuable Player her senior year.
Sport, however, is not Elizabeth’s sole passion. She enjoys participating in
community service projects and even traveled to Kenya with her mother to
volunteer at a pre-school and two orphanages, one which housed children with
HIV.
“My doctor helped me so much, and showed me how one person can make a
difference. I want to help others just as I was helped,” says Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, 18, is currently a freshman at Oregon State University and plans to
major in international relations. She hopes to have a career in public policy so
that she can help those in developing countries.
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