Mya Wang’s journey is a testament to her resilience and the motivational power of sports in the face of overwhelming adversity. Diagnosed with thyroid cancer just two weeks after her graduation from University High School in Irvine, she faced an emotional and mental battle.

The journey began when her grandmother noticed a lump in Mya’s neck. Mya went to the doctor for tests, which revealed an abnormality in her thyroid, leading to the diagnosis and a tumultuous two-year journey.. Despite her initial resolve, the weight of her illness took a toll, both mentally and physically. She struggled with the reality of her condition, grappling with feelings of isolation and confusion.

During her freshman year at the University of California, Berkeley, Mya withdrew from the lacrosse team to focus on healing. She sought out connections with others who faced similar battles and found solace in conversations with Mary Griffin, a fellow lacrosse player at Virginia Tech who previously battled pancreatic cancer. This network of support, combined with her own introspection, helped begin her emotional recovery.

Her love for lacrosse eventually brought her back to the field. Playing for Team Hong Kong at the 2022 World Championships reignited her drive to return to the University of California, Berkeley lacrosse team for her sophomore year. However, just as she was regaining her stride, Wang was hit with the devastating news that some of the cancer remained. The second diagnosis was emotionally shattering, but she was determined to heal. She underwent a second surgery with the singular goal of returning to the lacrosse field as soon as possible.

Her comeback was nothing short of remarkable. In her first game back in 2023 versus Lindenwood, she scored five goals. She ended the year with 20 goals and a team-leading 13 assists in 18 games. Last season, she was even better, scoring a team-leading 28 goals and 31 points in 15 games.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in data science in December 2024, Mya pursued an entrepreneurship and technology certification. She continues to play for the Hong Kong national lacrosse team and in January 2025 competed with them in the World Qualifiers tournament. She plans to continue representing Team Hong Kong in international competitions.

Her journey is not just about overcoming illness, but finding strength in vulnerability, using her love for lacrosse as a beacon of hope, and becoming a source of inspiration for others.

“Facing cancer was like walking through a storm I never saw coming. It wasn’t just about surviving physically; it was about finding the strength to face the emotional chaos that followed. I had to learn that healing isn’t just about scars fading – it’s about accepting the pain, seeing my growth and new purpose, and using my story to help others feel less alone.”

Will Bermudez’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and unyielding determination. As a first-generation college student and a standout on the UC Irvine baseball team, Will’s journey has been anything but conventional.

In May 2019, during a travel baseball game, the 17-year-old collided with a teammate while chasing a pop fly, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Although Will quickly regained his mobility, the collision resulted in a traumatic brain injury that caused him to lose five years of memory. For more than two weeks, Will thought he was 12 years old. A few months after his injury, he suffered his first epileptic seizure. Will was diagnosed with Myoclonic Juvenile Epilepsy, leading the Air Force Academy to rescind his scholarship.

The injury took a toll on Will’s physical and mental health. In addition to extensive rehabilitation, Will leaned into his faith and the coping skills he developed in mental health counseling.

Determined to forge a path forward, he enrolled at UC Davis, quit baseball, and focused on his academics and health. Wanting to play baseball again, in 2022, he transferred to Mount San Antonio College, where he excelled, batting .343. His play caught the attention of the UC Irvine coaches, and Will transferred there in 2023 and quickly earned the starting job at second base. He batted .250 and was named a finalist for the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Last year, he improved at the plate, batting .301 and earning All-Big-West Second Team honors.

This season, he has been an integral part of the 20^th ranked team in the nation with a record of 39-13. He started 49 games, batting .263 with 46 hits, 31 walks, 39 runs scored, and 39 runs batted in (RBI). He also continued to play Gold Glove-quality defense with just five errors in 230 chances.

Will’s experiences inspired his academic pursuits. Majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology, he aspires to become a psychiatrist, dedicated to helping people struggling with mental health challenges—just as he learned to manage his own.

“Everyone has different battles. Mine was epilepsy,” said Will.  “I want everyone to know that whatever they are going through will get better if they take it one day at a time and don’t let anything stop them from achieving their dreams.”