We are a group of college students with all very diverse backgrounds but with one major characteristic in common. We want to impact this world by caring for the youth and doing everything we can to protect them.
Robert Salib: I am 19 years old. I was born and raised in Egypt, Cairo to be exact. I grew up in a predominantly Coptic Orthodox neighborhood and I held a lot of these values and teachings dear to me throughout my youth. I am currently at the College of Dupage studying Biology and plan to transfer out to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to enroll into their Pre-Medical Program. No one really guesses that I am from Egypt, a few close tries here and there, but it is due to the fact that I don’t really hold true to any of the stereotypes or characteristics of an “Arab American”. I guess the only answer I have for that is that back in 2007, my parents decided to move my little brother and I to the United States. The huge motive behind this unplanned transition was for an opportunity at a better chance for quality of life. I have acclimated pretty well to Western Society culture, due to how well I can actually speak the language. With the educational opportunity that there is in the states, I plan to study medicine. I have always been fascinated with the amount of medical advancements humans have made in the past decade. I have had various medical treatments and procedures done throughout my life and I feel as if there is a need for me to give back to future generations. On my time often you often find me out with my friends, doing anything to kill the time. I like to play basketball, so I usually go to the courts with my friends. I like to listen to music as well as make music. I don’t consider myself an artist of any kind, I just like to mess around with certain beats with a few friends.
Chloe Echevarria: I am currently a sophomore in my college career. I originally started off at Hope College in Holland, Michigan where I studied Psychology and Studio Art. When I finally realized it wasn’t the best fit I decided to return home and pick up classes at College of DuPage. Transferring through different colleges isn’t always ideal but I’m glad that I did. I currently work at a drug and alcohol rehab center where I asses patients and admit them into treatment. I also am a gifted kindergarten art teacher which is always so exciting to work with bright and creative minds. In my little to none free time, I love relaxing with my family and having movie nights. I also love going to Chicago and exploring new things every time. My favorite thing to do in Chicago is to check out all the small and delicious coffee shops. Though I am not so sure where my studies will take me I hope to work with kids and adolescents. My ideal setting would be working with adolescents at a psychiatric facility, specifically teaching them art as a healthy coping mechanism, but I still dream of being a teacher. Working with many people especially nearby many health professionals, I became a strong advocate for vaccinations. I see people too often contract diseases that were easily preventable with a simple vaccination. I hope that spreading around the truth will help parents realized the true dangers of not vaccinating.
Javier Lujan: I am a student here at College of Dupage. I am also a soccer player that finished as the top 7 goal scorer in the country. Helping people is something that has always had a huge impact on defining the person that I am. Even in the darkest times of people’s lives, I always want to be a part of helping them to get back on their feet and push them to their highest potential. Because I want the best for people, I am studying education. As a teacher, I’m going to treat these kids as if they were my own and want the best for them. This is because as human beings, we never know what these kids can also be going through at home and I can be a parental figure to these kids. Some kids don’t even have parents in their life and at a very young age that really impacts their life. I wouldn’t want that for my students because I know how it is. My father played a mother and father role in my life. My mother abandoned me when I was little and never wanted to support me. Because I grew up without a mother, it played a huge role in my life, both positively, but mostly negatively. Overall, I always want the best for people and that is why I feel so strongly about vaccinations. I don’t want any kids in this world dying from diseases that could have been prevented by just getting vaccinations. I want the best for everyone, and I hope we all make it.
Mia Bakos: I am in my second semester at the College of Dupage in Glen Ellyn. I chose this community college to stay close to my grandparents and other family members I have in Illinois. I am currently struggling to choose what I want to pursue in life. I am going back and forth between education and medicine because both fields offer a way I can help others, just as those who have helped me. Growing up was rough for me, but I had amazing teachers and doctors who I have formed wonderful relationships with today. Without their guidance, I truly believe I would be lost. I have lived with my grandparents ever since I could remember, but I was officially adopted by them at the age of five. Prior to being adopted, I experienced parents who were abusive, both mentally and physically. They both are heroin users which impacted my life drastically. Their choices made me devoted to keeping my life, and those I care about, as healthy as possible. Seeing my parents use heroin, I vowed to only make choices that were safe and beneficial to me and others. Vaccines are one of the many ways that I assure safety for myself while also keeping those I care about safe. Vaccines protect you and others from diseases than can be life threatening. In my opinion, not being vaccinated can be just as harmful as using heroin because you pose a threat, not only to yourself, but to others as well.
Nicole Pantel: I am a mom to a wonderful 7-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy. Everything I do in life is centered around the well-being of my children and what is best for them. I am currently pursuing my degree in business administration. I aim to obtain this degree to be a role model to my children and emphasize the importance of education in my children’s lives. I’ve always loved children and their well being means everything to me. Not only did I have my own, but I’ve also worked with children as a nanny for many years. I have a profound love and care for all children because of the innocence they hold and their dependence on us. As parents and adults, it is our responsibility to take care of children in every way possible. As human beings, it is our duty to take care of those that need it- especially kids. Because of this, I chose to have my children vaccinated and firmly believe that all kids should be required to as well. Children are literally the future of our world and we need to ensure that they are healthy and able to contribute to society. By vaccinating our children, we are protecting not only them, but everyone around them as well. There’s a reason that science was able to create vaccinations, and we need to take advantage of the profound resources that we have. To not do so is a limit upon our society. I love caring for children and I hope I can continue to pass that on to as many people I can.
Pro Vaccinations 