Kirsten is a 17-year-old junior at South Sumter High School, Florida Virtual School, as well as, a freshman at Lake Sumter Community College. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Varsity Cheer Leadership, Future Farmers of America and the Future Educators of America. She aspires to attend the University of Florida to obtain a Master’s Degree in sports medicine.

Three years ago Kirsten developed her own organization entitled "Puppy Love". Puppy Love’s main goal is to increase the awareness of therapy dogs and their rehabilitative benefits. She supports her organization by attending many local and regional community events speaking about therapy dogs and their unconditional love. Her efforts for therapy dog awareness has outreached to the entire State by creating a Therapy Dog Awareness Day. There were over 95 Cities that participated in the event this past year and she hopes to have an increased number for the upcoming event to be held in May. Kirsten and Roxy, her therapy dog, have touched so many lives within the past three years. The National Point of Light Foundation recently recognized them and Puppy Love for their volunteer efforts by awarding them the Point of Light Award.

When Kirsten is not busy with her youth volunteer efforts or school she likes to go shopping, sing and hang out with her friends and family.

Kirsten’s favorite meal is any dish that includes PASTA. Her biggest challenge is overcoming her fear of heights. The color she adores is pink and the quote she lives by is "When life knocks you to your knees you are in the perfect position to pray."