Long before the sun rises, Danielle White is already on the road.
At 3 a.m., she begins a two-hour drive from Ocala to Tampa for her clinical training. By 6 a.m., she is on the court or field, caring for 最新天美传媒 student-athletes, sometimes on only four hours of sleep.
It鈥檚 a routine built on discipline, sacrifice and a dedication to achieving her dream of becoming an athletic trainer, regardless of the obstacles.
White playing basketball in highschool.
A former high school track athlete and varsity point guard, White was always a fierce
competitor, but early on she found herself as intrigued by what happened off the field
as in the competition itself.
鈥淚 loved sports,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ut I was just as interested in the process of care,
recovery and helping athletes get back to what they love.鈥
That interest set her on a path that would ultimately lead to the Athletic Training
graduate program at USF Health.
She was naturally drawn to higher education by her love for learning. But there were
other deeply rooted reasons as well. Raised by a single mother, White is the first
in her family to attend college and she was determined to break generational barriers
for her family. She also wanted to be a role model for her younger sister, Dasia.
鈥淚 wanted to be the catalyst for change,鈥 she said. 鈥淚f I could do it, maybe someone
else in my family would believe they could too.鈥
After completing her undergraduate degree in Health Sciences from the University of
South Florida in Spring 2019. White began building her professional career, but she
couldn't shake the feeling that she was meant to work with athletes.
So she took a chance and applied to USF Health鈥檚 highly competitive athletic training
program, which admits only about 20 students each year.
When she received her acceptance letter, she was elated and refused to take the opportunity
for granted.
But the path was not always easy. Beyond her long commute, White balanced a demanding academic and clinical schedule while working multiple jobs to support herself, including driving a forklift in a warehouse, braiding hair, tutoring and substitute teaching.
She says it was the support of her family that helped her endure at the most difficult moments, stepping in when her primary employer could no longer accommodate her academic schedule and providing a place to stay when she needed it.
鈥淢y mom always told me I could do anything,鈥 White said. 鈥淪he made me feel like I could accomplish anything.鈥
One of White鈥檚 strongest supporters was her aunt Monica, who continuously encouraged her to pursue her dreams but who passed away from cancer during her graduate program. In her honor, White now wears her aunt鈥檚 initial around her neck, a daily reminder of why she keeps pushing forward.
鈥淚 look down at that necklace when I feel like giving up,鈥 she said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 one of the biggest reasons I do this.鈥
As she prepares to graduate this Spring, White is dedicating her degree to both her aunt and her mother, two women who helped forge her journey and her character.
鈥淲alking across that stage will show me I can do anything I set my mind to,鈥 she said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 proof that where you start doesn't determine where you finish.鈥
White hopes her success will inspire the next generation, and her own family, to believe
they can achieve their goals. And in fact, she already has. Her cousin now plans to
pursue a career in athletic training too.
鈥淜nowing my cousin wants to follow in my footsteps made all the early mornings, long
drives and sacrifices worth it,鈥 White said.
