A high school senior’s final year is often filled with anticipation, planning for the future, and touring potential colleges. Tess Halbert’s story began in a similar way, but her journey to PLNU took a few unexpected turns — turns that tested her resilience and deepened her faith in God, ultimately shaping the person she is today.
When Tess initially toured colleges in San Diego, PLNU wasn’t on her radar. She felt uncertain about the financial aspect and even felt some apprehension about visiting the campus. But an unexpected change of plans would rewrite her story. After a canceled snorkeling trip in La Jolla, due to rip currents, Tess and her parents found themselves with free time. On a whim, they decided to visit PLNU, arriving just in time for a campus tour led by a biology major — a perfect fit for Tess’s interests. The guide shared insights into the campus’s opportunities, particularly in research, which immediately intrigued Tess.
Encouraged by what she learned, Tess signed up for a PLNU preview day, staying overnight with a biology student who shared information about the Science Honors Weekend. This event offers students a chance to compete for a science scholarship, and Tess decided to apply. At the event, she not only bonded with other driven students but also solidified her sense that PLNU might be the right place for her. Her hard work paid off — she earned the Science Honors Scholarship, which made the dream of attending PLNU more attainable.
However, Tess’s journey took an unexpected and challenging turn in June 2020 when she was diagnosed with cancer. Instead of heading to PLNU that fall as planned, she began five months of cancer treatment. It was a season of uncertainty, yet one that fortified her spirit and deepened her trust in God. By November, her treatment concluded, and a new door opened: an internship in Hawaii with Makanalani, a Christian organization that provides free summer camps for children in poverty.
During her time in Hawaii, Tess found healing and renewal. She embraced varied roles as a shepherd, tea farmer, landscaper, and even shaved ice worker at Jojo’s Shaved Ice. These experiences, grounded in faith and service, reminded her of the beauty of God’s creation and the joy of helping others. By April 2021, Tess returned home and received the news she was officially in remission.
Although her journey to PLNU had been delayed, Tess’s faith and determination never wavered. In the fall of 2021, she reached out to PLNU to see what steps were needed to officially begin her journey. She found the process seamless and full of grace, describing it as “meant to be.”
The university reinstated her Science Honors Scholarship, and she enrolled in the spring of 2022, ready to fully embrace her college experience.
Now, as she approaches her final semester at PLNU, Tess reflects on her memorable and impactful experiences. She is actively involved both academically and in extracurricular activities.
Tess has proudly served as the captain of the PLNU Speech and Debate team for the past two years, an experience that has significantly influenced her personal and academic growth. Being part of the debate team has not only honed her critical thinking skills but also taught her how to think quickly under pressure, communicate effectively with others, and adapt to new and diverse environments.
Through countless practices and competitions, she has gained the confidence to articulate her ideas persuasively while fostering a deep appreciation for collaboration and intellectual exchange. Moreover, speech and debate have opened the door to incredible opportunities, including competing on the global stage and connecting with individuals from across the world. One of the most impactful experiences of Tess’s debate journey came during spring break 2023, when she traveled to Tokyo, Japan, to participate in the International Forensics Association’s (IFA) 33rd Annual International Speech and Debate Tournament.
As a semifinalist in extemporaneous speech, Tess demonstrated her ability to craft a compelling speech performance under tight time constraints, all while engaging with participants from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The Tokyo competition was her first time leaving the United States, and it marked the beginning of a newfound passion for travel and cultural exchange.
The following spring, Tess once again represented PLNU on the international stage at the IFA’s 34th Annual Speech and Debate Tournament in Dublin, Ireland. This time, her hard work and dedication paid off most remarkably: she and her debate partner, Aiyanna Durepo, became world champions, securing first place in the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) debate. This achievement not only highlighted her skill and commitment to excellence but also underscored the immense impact that debate can have in fostering leadership, teamwork, and perseverance.
Looking ahead to later in spring 2025, Tess eagerly anticipates competing at the IFA’s 35th Annual International Speech and Debate Tournament in Seoul, South Korea. For Tess, debate is about far more than winning awards — it has broadened her horizons in ways she never imagined. Beyond strengthening her communication skills, debate has been a gateway to cultural exploration. Reflecting on her travels, she shared, “Debate gave me the unique opportunity to travel, experience different cultures, and visit new places in the world, inspiring me to want to travel even more after graduation.”
Tess’s journey with debate exemplifies how the activity of debate can transform not only the way students think and communicate but also the way they see the world and their place within it.
Tess’s involvement at PLNU also extends beyond debate. At PLNU, transformative experiences, whether they be international debate competitions or groundbreaking summer research, have been central to Tess’s journey.
PLNU’s summer research opportunity presented her with an avenue to challenge herself, contribute to meaningful work, and experience mentorship under professors who inspire her.
During Tess’s summer research, she worked with Drs. Mike Dorrell and Heidi Woelbern. Both professors have their own labs, providing participants with the opportunity to engage in Ph.D.-level and postdoctoral work, including the chance to be published. Dorrell and Woelburn had four projects, two focused on cancer research, one studying HPV (related to cancer), and one using CRISPR technology for eye disease.
The opportunity to participate in groundbreaking research like this was one of the reasons Tess was originally drawn to PLNU, and two students from her cohort were successfully published.
Dr. Woelbern’s guidance has been a source of comfort and support, helping her navigate critical decisions about her future, while Dr. Dorrell’s hardworking and humble demeanor created an inclusive environment where everyone felt valued.
As Tess Halbert approaches her graduation from PLNU this spring, her journey reflects not only resilience and determination but also a sense of purpose and clarity about her future.
With her biology degree nearly in hand and a wealth of transformative experiences behind her, Tess is preparing to take the next step toward achieving her career goals. Her time at PLNU has equipped her with both the skills and confidence to pursue her calling post-grad. She is exploring several options as her next step.
First, Tess has applied to graduate school to become a genetic counselor. In this role, she would combine her passion for science and her natural empathy to bridge the gap between medical diagnosis and patient care.
As a genetic counselor, Tess would specialize in identifying and personalizing treatments for genetic disorders, working closely with doctors
while guiding patients through their treatment journeys. It’s a career that perfectly aligns with her desire to help others navigate complex and often overwhelming medical challenges while making a tangible difference in their lives.
Alternatively, Tess is exploring an opportunity to remain in San Diego and transition to the clinical side of medical device sales. This career path would allow her to merge her scientific expertise with her strong communication and teaching skills. Tess envisions becoming a medical device educator, specializing in the collaboration between artificial intelligence and medical devices.
In this role, she could play a key part in advancing healthcare innovation by helping clinicians understand and integrate cutting-edge technologies into patient care.
Both paths represent Tess’s desire to blend her love for science with her commitment to serving others — an outlook shaped by her time at PLNU and beyond. In whatever she chooses next, Tess’s experiences have laid a strong foundation for her future.
Her involvement in the summer research program gave her a firsthand understanding of the intricacies of medical science while her participation in debate sharpened her ability to think critically, adapt quickly, and communicate effectively — qualities that will undoubtedly serve her well in either career.
Reflecting on her journey, Tess acknowledges the unexpected turns that have defined her story, from her initial uncertainty about PLNU to her cancer diagnosis and recovery, and ultimately to the opportunities that transformed her college experience. She carries with her a deep gratitude for how her faith has shaped her journey, providing clarity and strength through every challenge and opportunity.
Having overcome cancer and remaining in remission today, Tess is reminded daily of the resilience and hope that God has instilled in her. As she prepares to graduate, Tess looks forward to stepping boldly into the next chapter of her life, trusting that God’s guidance and the lessons she’s learned along the way will lead her toward a purposeful and impactful future.
Tess’s journey reminds us that life’s unexpected detours often lead to the most meaningful destinations. Her resilience, faith, and openness to God’s plan serve as an inspiration for anyone facing their own unplanned twists and turns.
