University of California, San Diego Pre-Med Student Overcame Selective Mutism as a Child
SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / September 8, 2025 / Natalye Tinajero can rewatch a video of herself at three years old, sitting in a classroom with other children singing and chattering around her, but saying nothing. "For years, that silence defined me," she explained.
Moving from school to school - five elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools - she finally started to find her way through the world. "The skills I learned - picking up on quiet cues others missed - were born from silence and became how I connect."
Today she is a Human Biology major at the University of California, San Diego and a recipient of a Spring 2025 David Malcolm Scholarship. Her plans are to complete medical school and become a pediatrician who will work with children who, "like me, were misunderstood and overlooked."
The David Malcolm Scholarship was established in 2021 to support students who have shown resilience in the face of daunting obstacles and have a compelling vision for pursuing higher education and subsequent life goals. Recipients of the $2,500 scholarships have also demonstrated a desire to better their world.
"It is easy to understand how Natalye could have remained silent and withdrawn," explained San Diego philanthropist and businessman David Malcolm. "And it is inspiring to see how she overcame that and likely will make the world a better place."
Tinajero went from silence to graduating a Middle College Program as valedictorian with four associate degrees. That required her to take college courses while finishing high school, "working late into the night, balancing heavy workloads and discovering that I could succeed because of what my experiences taught me about perseverance."
She wants to not just become a doctor but also create mentorship programs for students with communications disorders based on the premise that every child should be seen, "as a story worth hearing."
The David Malcolm Scholarship is open to high school students, and students accepted to or enrolled in a college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Please visit the official website to learn more about the David Malcolm Scholarship and its mission to support educational success.
About David Malcolm
David Malcolm is a San Diego-based entrepreneur, real estate expert, and community leader with five decades of experience. He is dedicated to supporting higher education opportunities and local community initiatives. He and his wife, Annie, actively contribute to charitable organizations that help build stronger communities through education and support services.
Media Contact:
Peter James MacCracken
Strategic Communications
+1 619-275-4110
pjm@strategic-communications.com
SOURCE: Peter James MacCracken
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