Life Changes

Ellison was an active dancer, athlete and martial artist six years, one month and one day ago.

But on the way home from seventh grade, a car struck Ellison, paralyzing her from the neck down and changing every aspect of her life.

"All the academic stuff I do now pretty much takes the place of all the physical stuff I did then," she says.

All the academic stuff included being involved in the history club, art history club, three or four academic teams, student government and a science research program that prepares students for the Westinghouse competition.

Ellison isn't sure what she wants to do with her life after college. Graduate school is probably in the works, but she also hopes that by that time, research may have found a cure for spinal injuries.

"I never doubt that as a possibility," she says.

Life Lessons

Ellison's summarizes her philosophy on life in three simple lessons.

"Never judge a person by what you see on the outside. It's unfair if you don't look beyond the exterior," she says.

"Never take what you have for granted, because life has a funny way of changing on you when you least expect it," she continues. "Never let anyone tell you you can't do something. Always move forward and never doubt yourself."