By Isa Riano, Contributing Writer
Eliza Smith is a freshman at Saint Leo University majoring in nursing; however, she is not only pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Smith is on a mission to use her talents and gifts to educate and entertain people of all ages.
Smith wrote and published her first book, An Anxious Mind: Thoughts I have late at night, when she was only 16 years old in June of 2022. Those interested in reading the book can purchase it through Amazon. According to Smith, this is a poem book that is intended to be relatable to young people.
“The ‘I’ in the title does not refer to me,” says Smith. “It is meant to get the readers involved in the poems.”
Smith’s goal with her book was to not only raise awareness on mental health, but also to be there for others, even if it was through a book rather than in person.
“The pandemic left many of us feeling isolated from the rest of the world,” says Smith. “It was my goal to create a project that helps readers understand that their thoughts are valid.”
Despite the fact that this is Smith’s first book, she is determined to become a well-known author.
“I intend to write a book for children about the various human emotions,” she says. “I am not sure when this book will be published, but it’s something I’m very interested in.”
Smith, in addition to writing, enjoys podcasting and launched a mental health podcast during her freshman year of high school in 2019.
“My podcast began as a school project in which I discussed my experience with pageants,” she explained. “However, it inspired me to spread a message bigger than myself.”
Furthermore, Smith’s podcast, titled Be B.B.Y: The Real Me, discusses mental health and human emotions and can be found on Spotify. Smith describes her podcasting experience as meaningful because of the connections she has made.
“I have listened to insightful stories from people of all ages through my podcast,” she says.
Smith has faced some challenges during her time at Saint Leo; however, she enjoys the small class sizes and nature spots on campus.
“It has been difficult for me to make friends as a commuting student because I only go to classes and then drive home,” says Smith. “However, my professors are extremely helpful, and I enjoy taking in the beauty of our campus.”
Smith is also very enthusiastic about her major and hopes to apply what she has learned in her classes in her future career.
“I have been drawn to the medical field since I was a child. My ultimate goal is to become a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, and nursing is a good place to start,” she says.
Smith’s objectives are consistent not only with her abilities but also with her gift of service.
“I enjoy assisting others, and I believe my long-term career goal is the best option because I already have a mental health platform,” explains Smith.
Smith actively represents the core values of Saint Leo. She uses her skills, knowledge, and passion to raise mental health awareness, with the ultimate goal of creating a sense of community in which everyone feels supported.
