JAYLA JACOBS

jacobs

Busy and Determined

Jayla Jacobs, 14, is

I not only have to manage school, work (I just got my fi rst job at Chick-fi l-A), soccer, and my animation (I am a selftaught animator with my own YouTube channel called WonderBeast), but I also have to schedule my breathing and other treatments because of my cystic fi brosis. I am writing a fantasy science fi ction novel and so far I have completed 17 chapters. My goal is to have 30 chapters total by Christmas. Another passion of mine is gardening. I grew tomatoes, corn, blueberries, watermelon, spinach, onions, squash, and blackberries this year. I enjoy growing my own food and sharing it with others. I also tutor a young student in the homeschooled through the Guardian 3rd grade.

Gabe Academy and in the 9th grade.

She lives in Huntersville with her mom, a Sheepadoodle dog named Hero, and her four brothers: Frank Jr., 24; Ivan, 21; Jeremiah, 17; and Gabriel, who passed away when he was 12 from a rare heart condition.

What Makes Me Smile

I love helping others and taking care of myself. I love working on my animation, my book, or in my garden … I like pan-fried dumplings and making new friends … and long car rides with my mom in the rain.

My Guardian Angel

I am a youth ambassador for Gabe’s Heart Foundation (www.Gabesheartfoundation.org), which is a nonprofi t organization that was started in honor of my brother, Gabriel, who passed away when he was 12. Gabe was my guardian angel, and he always took care of me when I was sick, which happened a lot because of my illness. I like helping people by participating in Doing It Gabe’s Way Random Acts of Kindness. This is when we go into the community and offer free gas, groceries, and other random acts of kindness. I am also an ambassador for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and was one of the keynote speakers (along with my two brothers who also have cystic fi brosis) earlier this year at the Guys and Dolls Formal event. We helped raise over $150,000 towards research, and I also spoke before Congress in June for Teen Advocacy Day regarding living with cystic fi brosis. All In the Family

My brothers Ivan and Jeremiah inspire me to work out more and take care of my body; we go on walks and to the gym together. Frankie teaches me by example how to be a hard worker, and Gabe taught me all about being kind to others. Gabriel was the anti-bullying mediator at his school and when he passed away, a lot of kids said he was their best friend. He made everybody feel special! Mom and dad taught me that if I keep working towards a goal it will eventually come true, and I have two amazing grandmothers! My Grandma Nu Nu (Ella Spratley) taught me that no matter how bad a situation you are in there is always a way out; and my Grandma Jacobs was my babysitter for my younger years, and I am grateful to her for so many things! w