Prepare for the worst because the best is yet to come. It seems like ever since she was old enough to talk, Carleigh Moore had to embrace this mantra in her daily life.
As a biology major, she has ensured a packed schedule full of science classes and a plethora of extracurriculars, like Volé, Penn State’s dance organization, and the Outreach Program for the veteran’s office. While other second year students are more play rather than work, Carleigh is actively exploring more of the opportunities to come her way.
“Freshman year was a lot to take in,” she says. “As far as academics and social life goes, college starts to bring out these things you didn’t know about yourself.”
Bouncing around Missouri, Alaska and North Carolina, there was never one place she could ever call home.
“I have three siblings. Both of my parents were in the military … I’m really grateful for all of the sacrifices they made,” she says.
While both of her parents were away for weeks on end, Carleigh grew up with the anticipation of when she could see them next. It seemed like she was forced to adapt in every best-case and worst-case scenario.
“Moving around as much as I did, I’ve probably experienced every situation possible. Friendships, relationships…[My parents] did a very good job at keeping a balance of having a childhood and preparing us for the future. Like, being able to have that shell to take on serious heartbreak and knowing that there will be bad things that happen.”
Carleigh Moore
Carleigh credits her success not only to herself, but especially to her family.
When asked how she coped through life’s challenges, she advised, “Having people you can lean on and talk to and know they’re gonna be there no matter what, is the reason why you can push through these tough times.”
Her parents are her rocks, as she tends to call her mom after a bad grade on a test or text her dad about a rough week ahead.
Ever since she was a kid, Carleigh has wanted to pursue medicine. Unfortunately, this love for healthcare came from a rough time in her life. When she was younger, Carleigh had to face an illness that affected her childhood capabilities. Riding a bike and swimming in the pool became a threat in her life, with all odds against her.
“I was expected to live with it for the rest of my life and I actually ended up outgrowing it,” she says.
These challenges with health not only affected her, but also began to affect her family in more ways than one. Her brother, only a year and a half apart from her, had to face juvenile arthritis when they were both children.
“He is okay now and doesn’t have it anymore, but it was very scary at the time,” she says. These trials and tribulations can be unbearable to face and certainly took a toll on Carleigh.
But what kept Carleigh going was exactly that.
“It’s why I want to pursue pediatrics,” she explains. “It kind of jump started my passion for health and wanting to help people. The doctors and nurses were kind of my superheroes, in a way.”
One of Carleigh’s favorite memories from Penn State thus far is THON. Last year, she was able to be on a THON committee and witness the energy of THON firsthand.
“It’s not the weekend itself, or when they reveal the numbers for me. It’s every point that leads up to THON weekend that’s my favorite part. The friendships I’ve made, the knowledge I’ve gained from these families, just encourage me to try so much harder.” She hopes to be a dancer for her senior year, continuing to uphold the THON spirit in honor of the children.
“Comparison is the thief of joy. I try not to compare myself, even though we all do it, especially in college.”
Carleigh Moore
A big concern of Carleigh’s is and always will be comparison, or in other words, being good enough. Rather than shying away from it, she acknowledges this tendency and uses it as her personal ammunition to keep moving forward.
“Sometimes we might reach the same goal. If not, we don’t. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.”
For her family, she has always tried to be the best version of herself she can be. “My whole life, I struggled to accept if I’m making everyone proud. I go through the motions of, ‘Am I doing the right thing? Am I going down the right path?’”
At the end of the day, Carleigh has faced more challenges than most. Although she hopes to continue her dedication to dance, healthcare and her family, her only true goal is simple: genuinely live a fulfilling life.
“I want to know that at the end of the day, I put 100% of myself into whatever I did. No matter what, I’ll be proud of myself,” Carleigh says.
Though there will be more than enough hurdles to jump over in life, Carleigh understands that ultimately, diamonds are made under pressure. The situations she’s endured have only made her that much stronger.
