Margot Pickering Aspiring Attorney Scholarship

I greatly admire the lens in which Margot Bogner viewed the practice of law. Her three core values: diligent communication, empathetic decision making and earning others trust, are practices I strive to emulate through my personal talents and experiences both as an aspiring attorney and in my daily life. I have learned through my experience with people, that the more vulnerable and open I am in communicating, the more others will open up and increase their trust in me. The fruit of an open interaction is an increase in understanding and in turn empathy. I admire that Margot upheld the same attributes in her practice of law. These are guiding qualities in the foundation for authentic relationships. I desire to become an attorney because I am passionate about advocating for others, especially those whose voices often go unheard. As a psychology and Spanish major, I continue to develop a deeper understanding of mental health and the importance of effective communication in my studies. I chose both majors because I believe this part of my background will bring a unique perspective to law school and my future practice. I look forward to using my bilingual skills and psychology background to serve diverse client populations. Developing a deep understanding and framework for how people feel is essential to being a trusted attorney. Being bilingual builds rapport and an increased understanding from the start of the relationship. I am particularly interested in serving underserved populations and desire to act with both skill and compassion in my future practice of law because everyone deserves integrity and care. In my household growing up, my family provided respite care for children in the foster care system. My interactions and experiences with the children that we cared for broadened my understanding of the difficulties these children face in ways I could have never otherwise understood. Empathy isn’t taught, it’s experienced. I remember the small bags the children would bring to our house, a handful of clothes, mismatched and looking worn. I remember the looks of utter disbelief when they would step into our pantry upon arrival. I remember my parents explaining to me that their parents weren’t in a spot to see their own kids. I remember crying in the car when the first girl who got to stay with us, just about my age, went back to another foster home. These are the kinds of moments that put it all into perspective. Custody, parental rights, and court decisions produce real impacts on children— impacts I have seen firsthand. Children deserve advocates who can communicate with them effectively, seek to understand them and are above all, trustworthy because every decision impacts a life. I want to be that advocate for these kids. I want to serve with both skill and compassion because this is what draws me to law. Using my bilingual skills and psychology background enables me to best serve my future clients. Like Margot, I believe that communication, empathy, and trust are not just admirable traits, but essential tools for meaningful and impactful work through law I am committed to pursuing.

Hustling from one activity to another is how I am hard-wired – until I couldn’t do it. During my sophomore year of college, my need for sleep and all-around lack of energy continued to increase. I lost interest in learning and social events, stressed about losing my job if I fell asleep, and found a host of bizarre places to catch some ZZZs. Eventually, it became a safety hazard when I could not drive for more than 15 minutes before dozing off, so it was time to look for answers. After multiple unsuccessful doctors’ appointments, at-home sleep studies, and a hospital stay back home in Kansas City, all of which required me to miss school and work, I was diagnosed with narcolepsy. I learned that narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy may feel rested after waking, but then feel very sleepy throughout much of the day. While I was relieved at the diagnosis, I was embarrassed at the same time. It was great to know that my struggles were believable and real. I also was able to finally get meds and receive counseling about how to live my life normally. However, I don’t like using it as an excuse. I want to be a normal 21-year-old person who has energy for days and “can sleep when you’re dead,” but that’s not possible for me. It’s not something that is curable...it is a lifelong issue. Yes, my medication helps, but it doesn’t fully “fix” the condition. It’s not in my control, and this is not something I could have prevented. For someone who likes structure and routine, it has been tough to battle with, physically and mentally. Children are commonly misdiagnosed with a learning disability because of their low-functioning nature, meaning that my high-functioning efforts as a student covered up my narcolepsy for years. I continued the same level of service I had been pursuing since the age of 11. In the fifth grade, I could be found hanging campaign posters for my elementary school’s presidential election. Although staying focused in class was tricky during my undergraduate career, I ensured my grades did not suffer. While my parents and brothers who reveled in taking pictures of me sleeping in wacky positions were shamed, I now have a cool fun fact to share in every new social setting when I’m asked, “What’s a fun fact about you?” Unbeknownst to me until I was diagnosed, narcolepsy is a recognized and protected disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. I have been able to get assistance from my university related to my learning, and I no longer fear termination from work. The mental and physical relief of knowing that I have protection is something I do not take for granted. Having worked in human resources where policies and procedures are used for employees’ and the company’s protection, I understand how difficult it can be to know every law and caveat for any situation that comes up. Having an internship in Human Resources the summer after I was diagnosed helped me gain a deeper understanding of how policies and procedures are used for employees’ and companies’ protection. I also appreciate how laws help people who have conditions out of their control have rights that protect them. Given what I have learned about this complex issue and my personal connection to this topic, I want to be an advocate for those who do not have a voice or understand what can be done on their behalf. Now, and in the future, I plan to use my passion and skills to assist others. To achieve this goal, I plan to attend law school and attain the additional knowledge needed to be successful in my pursuits of helping others.