Taryn Claassens

I am overwhelmed, humbled, and so appreciative of being chosen for this award! I am attending an out-of-state university, and this contribution to my education is incredibly helpful to me. I would like to see a world where mental health is no longer a stigma and awareness and empathy are taught at an early age. The term "neurodivergent" has come into our vocabulary recently, and since no two brains function alike, we all have some level of neurodiversity in how we function. Understanding we are all different is an essential part of growing up and should be a requirement in our education system. It took me a long time to realize that what makes me different does not make me abnormal. After all, what is normal? I want to honor your son Ryan through my educational goals to become a psychologist and a mental health advocate. My charity, Mind Full, is dedicated to helping schools and students navigate stress and anxiety and to help flag students for further treatment. Bringing awareness to mental health and teaching students empathy for those around them has become my passion, and I hope to help many in the future.

Heather Smith

Dear Yebba Family, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for being chosen as the recipient of the Ryan Yebba Memorial Mental Health Scholarship. It truly means so much to me to receive this support as I work toward a future in mental health treatment. I'm honored to carry on Ryan Yebba's legacy through this scholarship. This generous award eases the financial challenges of returning to school and allows me to focus on my studies and the well-being of my son. Being able to pursue my education without overwhelming financial stress is a blessing I don't take for granted. As someone who once doubted my own potential, this scholarship is both a validation of my efforts and a powerful encouragement. My journey has been shaped by faith and perseverance, and I am determined to become the first in my family to graduate from college. My hope is to use my experiences to help others, uplifting not only my own family but also the lives of those I will serve in the mental health field. Your commitment to honoring Ryan by supporting students with a passion for mental health treatment inspires me deeply. I pray to honor both his memory and your generosity through my future career and by giving back to my community. Thank you for believing in me and for making such a meaningful impact in my life. Thank you, Heather Smith