When I first chose to major in marketing at Kansas State University, I didn’t have a perfect plan. What I did know was that I loved people, I enjoyed being creative, and I was always drawn to how brands made us feel something, whether it was through messaging, design, or the way they showed up in everyday life. Over time, what started as a spark of interest has turned into a passion I’m genuinely excited to pursue as a career. Marketing and sales are all about connection. Whether it's understanding what someone needs, telling a story that resonates, or building trust over time, I love that this field blends strategy with heart. It’s not just about selling a product or service, it’s about solving problems, creating experiences, and helping others succeed. That idea really drives me. During my time as a marketing intern at a real estate company, I saw how much work goes into building relationships through marketing. I helped create content, track social media engagement, and support agents with their campaigns. More than anything, I learned how impactful a thoughtful message or consistent branding can be. I loved watching how our strategies translated into real results for the business, and for the families we helped find homes. Outside of internships, I’ve worked throughout college, serving tables, helping with catering events, and balancing jobs with classes and leadership roles in my sorority. Working in customer-facing roles has taught me how to stay calm under pressure, problem-solve on the spot, and connect with people quickly and authentically. These experiences have made me confident that I belong in a fast-paced, people-focused field like marketing and sales. What inspires me most is the long-term opportunity in this career. I’m not just looking for a job after graduation, I want to grow into a role where I can keep learning, take on bigger challenges, and eventually lead. I’m especially drawn to brand strategy, creative campaigns, and working with people in a way that feels personal and impactful. I’d also love to help women-owned businesses grow their reach and voice through marketing someday. Learning about Neal Hartl’s story is a reminder of the kind of impact one person can have, not just through their work, but through the way they treat others. That’s the kind of career I hope to build, one rooted in integrity, connection, and passion. This scholarship would help me continue pursuing that path, and I’d be incredibly grateful for the support as I take the next step toward my future.

I’ve always believed that being a woman means showing up with purpose, even when things are hard, even when the odds feel stacked against you. As a full-time college student studying Marketing at Kansas State University, I’ve learned how to juggle a lot: two jobs, leadership positions in my sorority, and a full class schedule. It’s not always easy, but I’ve found that when something really matters to you, you find a way to keep going. I’m passionate about using my voice and skills to uplift others, especially women. Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to give back in ways that have shaped who I am, whether it’s volunteering with Girls on the Run, organizing community events, or helping raise money for causes I care about. My sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, has given me the platform to lead and serve, and those experiences have helped me realize how powerful women can be when we support one another. There have definitely been moments where I’ve questioned if I was doing enough, if I was on the right path, or if I could really make it all work. Like many students, I’ve felt the pressure of paying for school on my own and trying to balance everything. But I’ve never let that stop me from moving forward. In fact, those challenges have made me more determined. I’ve learned how to advocate for myself, how to ask for help when I need it, and how to push through the doubt. My dream is to use my marketing degree to help people tell their stories, whether that’s working with women-owned businesses, promoting causes I believe in, or one day starting something of my own. I don’t want to just work in marketing; I want to make it meaningful. I want to show other women that your voice matters, your story matters, and that you don’t have to fit into a mold to be successful. I believe I’m worth the dreams I’m chasing because I’ve already started showing up for them. I’ve put in the work, stayed committed, and found purpose in the process. I’m not waiting for the perfect time or permission, I’m building something now, and I know I’m just getting started. If this scholarship helps me take another step forward, I’ll carry that support with me as I keep reaching for more, not just for myself, but for every girl who needs a reminder that she’s worth it, too.

I’m a junior at Kansas State University, majoring in Marketing with a strong passion for entrepreneurship and brand strategy. My long-term goal is to become a marketing director or brand strategist for a company that values innovation, or even build a business of my own. I’ve always been drawn to the creative side of business, the challenge of making something meaningful, connecting with people, and helping brands grow with purpose. From a young age, I saw how much work and sacrifice go into creating a stable life. My dad, who serves in the Air Force, was deployed multiple times throughout my childhood. During my senior year of high school, my family was relocated to Guam. Instead of moving, I chose to stay behind and live with a friend’s family to finish out my last year of high school in Oklahoma. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. Being apart from my parents and younger sisters, during such an emotional time, taught me the importance of independence and resilience. It was my first taste of making a difficult decision to follow through on a goal, and I’ve carried that lesson with me ever since. College has been a continuation of that mindset. I pay for school on my own and work two jobs, one as a marketing intern and the other as a server. Balancing those responsibilities along with my full course load has taught me discipline, time management, and the value of hard work. But I’m also learning to speak up for myself, take creative risks, and put myself in rooms that push me to grow. I’m especially drawn to the idea of using business as a way to uplift others, whether that’s through purpose-driven marketing, supporting local entrepreneurs, or starting something that gives back to the community. This scholarship would lift a significant financial burden off my shoulders, allowing me to invest more time and energy into school and professional development opportunities, like internships and certifications that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford. It would be more than just financial help, it would be a vote of confidence in my dreams. I’ve had moments where doubt and exhaustion crept in, especially when I’ve felt like I had to do everything alone. But every time I’ve pushed through, whether that’s staying up to finish a project after work or applying for internships even when I was nervous, I’ve gained more belief in myself and in the future I’m working toward. Being awarded this scholarship would mean more than just money, it would be a reminder that the hard days are worth it, and that someone out there believes in the potential of students like me to make an impact in the business world.

Growing up in a military family means learning how to say goodbye before you’re ready, how to stay close across oceans, and how to find pieces of home wherever you go. My dad is an active member of the United States Air Force, and for as long as I can remember, service has been a part of our lives, quietly woven into the way we lived, moved, and supported each other. His deployments have been just part of the rhythm of our family. I learned early on that things like holidays, birthdays, and even simple dinners sometimes had to happen without him. And while I’ve always been proud of his service, I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t left a mark. One of the most defining moments of my life happened during my senior year of high school. My dad received new orders, and my family was relocating, this time to Guam. We had moved before, but this was different. I had spent three years building a life in Oklahoma, making friendships, planning for graduation, applying to colleges. The idea of uprooting everything right before crossing the finish line felt overwhelming. After many late-night conversations and tearful talks around the dinner table, my family and I made a decision: they would move to Guam, and I would stay behind to finish high school. At 17, I packed my things and moved in with a friend’s family. I became my own advocate, managing school, college applications, work, and life without the daily support of my parents nearby. It was one of the hardest, most eye-opening seasons of my life. I missed them deeply, but I also grew in ways I never expected. I learned how to show up for myself, how to stay focused when things felt heavy, and how to keep moving forward when life doesn’t go as planned. That year taught me so much about strength, the kind of strength that military families carry quietly. I think people often see the uniform and forget about the families standing behind it. But we’re the ones holding down the fort, saying goodbye again and again, and trying to stay steady through the unknown. I’m endlessly proud of my dad, but I’m just as proud of my mom, my siblings, and myself for all the ways we’ve learned to bend without breaking. Now, as a junior in college studying marketing, I carry those lessons with me every day. I’m chasing big goals, working multiple jobs, and doing my best to build a future that honors the sacrifices my family has made for me to be here. This scholarship would ease the financial strain that often comes with pursuing higher education, but more than that, it would recognize the behind-the-scenes strength of military families like mine. It would be a reminder that our stories matter too. I’m grateful for the chance to share mine.

There are certain people whose stories stay with you, not just because of what they did, but because of who they were. Learning about Margot Bogner was one of those moments for me. Her life, full of ambition, generosity, and heart, is a reminder of the kind of impact one person can make when they lead with purpose. She left behind more than just a legacy, she left a challenge to all of us to live fully, love deeply, and lift others along the way. When I first heard Margot’s story, it stuck with me, not just because of all she accomplished, but because of how fully she lived. The way she poured herself into her career, her friendships, her community, and the women around her reminds me of the kind of woman I hope to become. As a fellow Gamma Phi Beta at Kansas State, her story hit even closer to home. We share the same sisterhood, and I can only hope to reflect even a fraction of the strength, heart, and selflessness she brought into the world. I’m currently a junior majoring in Marketing with a certificate in the Business of Sports and Entertainment. I stay busy, not to fill time, but because I want to grow through every opportunity I’m given. I’ve worked as a server, completed a marketing internship at a real estate brokerage, and this summer I’ll be interning with Basic American Foods. While these experiences have helped shape my professional goals, the most meaningful parts of my college journey have come from building relationships, especially through Gamma Phi Beta. That sisterhood has pushed me to lead, serve, and support others in ways I never imagined. I’ve had the opportunity to mentor younger members and be mentored in return, and I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when women lift each other up. I try to be intentional in how I show up for people, whether that’s through encouragement, listening, or helping them believe in themselves the way others have believed in me. One of the causes I’m most passionate about is Girls on the Run. Volunteering with their local chapter gave me the chance to work directly with young girls, helping them build confidence and life skills through running and mentorship. It reminded me how much potential lives in each child, and how meaningful it is when someone simply shows up and believes in them. I think Margot would have deeply connected with that mission. Her belief that “empowered women empower women” is something I try to carry with me daily. What inspires me most about Margot is how she led with intention. She didn’t just chase success, she used her gifts to improve lives, build others up, and leave the world better than she found it. That’s the kind of legacy I hope to build, both personally and professionally. My goal is to pursue a marketing career that centers around connection and community, one where I can use storytelling, strategy, and relationship-building to make a difference. Being considered for this scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me, not only because of the support it would provide, but because of who it honors. Thank you for sharing Margot’s story and for helping young women like me walk a little closer to the light she left behind. I will carry her legacy forward with pride, purpose, and a full heart.