24岁的Alyvia Dunham:模范学生

Alyvia Dunham ‘24, has a passion for helping people in the medical field. 自2020年以来，她获得了注册护理助理(CNA)执照, 同年，她从威亚鲁辛谷高中毕业, 现在正在完成她的任务 生物学 degree at 埃尔迈拉大学 with dreams to one day become a physician’s assistant.

而新奥尔巴尼, 这位宾夕法尼亚州人追求着这个梦想, she is living out another in front of the cameras and on the runways as a model. It’s an experience that has allowed Dunham to venture out of her comfort zone. It has helped her grow personally as she deals with anxiety issues stemming from a lifetime of managing auto-immune diseases, 导致多次住院治疗.

"如果我不解决我的问题, it’s just going to keep setting me back and not allow me to do things and try new things,”她说。.

Dunham’s love for modeling has its roots in her early love of photography. 那, paired with her enjoyment of taking pictures with her friends ahead of formal dances in high school, 让造型变得有趣. 然而, she lacked the confidence to pursue modeling more seriously until around two years ago when she took a chance on a program offered by Elmira-native and fashion industry professional Jordan Brooks. 从那时起，她就出现在时尚杂志上，比如 6X, 马尔维, 马克西, is currently preparing for the LA Fashion Week runway as a brand ambassador for Just BE.72, a clothing line that promotes female empowerment through its brand. 她承认，虽然她对这个机会很兴奋, she’s also nervous – although dealing with nerves before going out on the runway is nothing new.

“I usually get really shaky, really cold right before I’m about to walk,” she explained. “我深吸了几口气. Sometimes my friends and I will dance in the back trying to let out all of that nervous energy. 然后我就走了.”

Being able to balance modeling with school – and even her side job as a pre-op and recovery floor patient care partner for Guthrie – takes a lot of organization. Dunham focuses on school Monday through Friday and also uses this time to connect with collaborators, 包括摄影师, 化妆师, 发型师, 和设计师, 为了在周末有机会拍照和走秀. 她的日程安排, Dunham is grateful that course materials are posted ahead of time in the Canvas system, 这样她就能在需要的时候提前工作. 当谈到课程时，她可能不那么擅长, Dunham said her teachers and EC’s tutoring support are there to help.

“They’ll meet with me anytime for help, which is really great,” she explained. “我以前的学校没有这样的课程.”

Her previous university also said she wouldn’t be able to complete her 生物学 major on time due to the challenges posed by her auto-immune-related health issues. 然而, 但在EC可不是这样, where she is now able to finish out her senior year and graduate on time.

当她因为做模特而缺课一天的时候, 就像她在洛杉矶时装周期间不得不错过的两场比赛一样, Dunham said all she has to do is let her teachers know and they will work with her.

在她年轻的时候, 因为她在医院待了很长时间, 邓纳姆梦想有一天能成为一名医生. With her continued health issues, that dream has shifted to becoming a physician’s assistant. 邓纳姆期待着继续她的教育之旅, 不仅准备了生物和化学知识, but the critical thinking and communication skills that will provide a strong foundation moving forward.

“我学了很多社会学、心理学和人类学的课程. Those courses specifically allowed me to broaden my mind and try to think in a different perspective than black and white because I do struggle with that. 我很难看到灰色地带，”邓纳姆解释道. “总的来说, I’m hoping it will make me a well-rounded person and that I will have the ability and diversity to work in any situation with anyone.”

Modeling has also helped to prepare her for the different kinds of people and experiences she will encounter working in healthcare.

“我以前很害羞，很矜持. 当模特不仅能让我与人交流, 但是要了解不同的文化, 以及不同文化背景下人们的不同行为, 宗教, 和他们的种族，因为我沉浸在模特生涯中,”她说。. “你要学会如何与他人合作, 理解他们, 以及如何做一个好人，顺其自然. I feel like it will help me in the long run with biology, but also with my future careers.”

即使她继续在医疗领域工作, 邓纳姆计划尽可能地继续当模特.

“I know I’m not going to be the most famous celebrity out there running those runways, 但这是一次很好的经历. 很有趣. 我也因此赚了不少钱，”她说. “It might not be enough to pay my bills, but it’s extra money, it’s a side job, I enjoy it. Some people will go golfing, play tennis, go swimming, but I would rather do that.”