Striving for excellence has been instilled in me from a young age, being raised in a military household in the South Carolina Lowcountry. While in South Carolina, my younger sister and I were blessed with a private school education that gave us the foundation for academic excellence, what it means to work as a team through playing varsity lacrosse, and taught us the importance of giving back to our community through various charitable organizations; from helping at food drives to donating to Locks of Love to raising money for cancer research to community gardens to benefit the local soup kitchen. Fast forward to February of 2020, my family officially moved back to Ellsworth, Kansas, to be closer to my mom’s family and so that my sister and I would be eligible for in-state tuition at Kansas State University. During the lockdown, I found myself serving endless hours at the Ellsworth County Historical Society in the archive room, wrapping ledgers in preservation paper, which allowed me to discover the names of my ancestors and feel connected to a new-to-me community. Through the people I interacted with at the museum, either by giving them tours of the facilities or just having conversations, the opportunity presented itself to compete for Miss Czech/ Slovak Kansas 2022, the summer between high school and college. In case you were wondering, yes, I was successful in this endeavor. Over the next year, my freshman year in college, I represented the state of Kansas at various heritage festivals across the country and met with dignitaries from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This opportunity then opened the door for me to be a guest speaker on the Military Child Education Coalition podcast, where I shared my struggles as a military kid and how I finally found community by connecting to my roots and strengthening my faith in the Lord. Being the only person from my graduating class of 34 to go straight to K-State, I made the most of it and took the opportunity to reinvent myself outside of a rural, central Kansas community. I rushed Kappa Alpha Theta in the fall of 2022, and by spring of 2023, I represented my member class in the Membership Development Committee, the first in my member class to do so. I also regularly attended Christian Challenge, and still do. Another fast forward as I am completing my third of five undergraduate years at K-State. I am majoring in Agricultural Economics, specialty option: International Agriculture. My secondary major is in Global Food Systems Leadership with a specialty in Economics and Entrepreneurship. I am also working on minors in Leadership Studies and Agricultural Communications, as well as a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. I truly believe the women I surrounded myself with, especially from living in the Theta house, have helped motivate me to become who I am today and yet to become. Their mentorship has motivated me to accomplish things such as Traveling to Kenya this past January with other amazing women in Global Food Systems Leadership, accepting a position as a Strengths Peer Coach with the Staley School of Leadership, and recently accepting a campus ambassador position with Bubbl’r. I believe that ‘empowered women empower women’ as I strive to set an example for the women in my life through my past, present, and future endeavors.

My path emulates Margot Bogner's as I strive for excellence in all my endeavors. This has been instilled in me from a young age, being raised in a military household in the South Carolina Lowcountry. While in South Carolina, my younger sister and I were blessed with a private school education that gave us the foundation for academic excellence and taught us the importance of giving back to our community through various charitable organizations; from helping at food drives to donating to Locks of Love to raising money for cancer research to community gardens to benefit the local soup kitchen. Fast forward to February of 2020, my family officially moved back to Ellsworth, Kansas, to be closer to my mom’s family and so that my sister and I would be eligible for in-state tuition at Kansas State University. During the lockdown, I served endless hours at the Ellsworth County Historical Society in the archive room, wrapping ledgers in preservation paper, which allowed me to discover the names of my ancestors and feel connected to a new-to-me community. Through the people I interacted with at the museum, by giving them tours of the facilities or just having conversations, the opportunity presented itself to compete for Miss Czech/ Slovak Kansas 2022, the summer between high school and college. In case you were wondering, yes, I was successful in this endeavor. Over the next year, my freshman year in college, I represented the state of Kansas at various heritage festivals across the country and met dignitaries from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This opportunity opened the door for me to be a guest speaker on the Military Child Education Coalition podcast, where I shared my struggles as a military kid and how I finally found community by connecting to my roots and strengthening my faith in the Lord. Being the only person from my graduating class of 34 to go straight to K-State, I made the most of it and took the opportunity to reinvent myself outside of a rural, central Kansas community. I rushed Kappa Alpha Theta in the fall of 2022, and by spring of 2023, I represented my member class in the Membership Development Committee, the first in my member class to do so. I also regularly attended Christian Challenge, and still do. I am now completing my third of five undergraduate years at K-State. I am majoring in Agricultural Economics, specialty option: International Agriculture. My secondary major is in Global Food Systems Leadership with a specialty in Economics and Entrepreneurship. I am also working on minors in Leadership Studies and Agricultural Communications, as well as a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. I truly believe the women I surrounded myself with, especially from living in the Theta house, have helped motivate me to become who I am today and yet to become. Their mentorship has motivated me to accomplish things such as traveling to Kenya this past January with other amazing women in Global Food Systems Leadership where we toured a demonstration farm and engaged with various community empowerment organizations from Nairobi to Nyeri, accepting a position as a Strengths Peer Coach with the Staley School of Leadership, and recently accepting a campus ambassador position with Bubbl’r. Considering it has been five years since my family moved from South Carolina to Kansas, I'm not sure I can ever accurately answer the question: "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Like Margot, I also believe that ‘empowered women empower women’ as I strive to set an example for the women in my life through my past, present, and future endeavors.

My freshman year of college, I rushed Kappa Alpha Theta at Kansas State University. This past year, we were recognized at the Fraternal Excellence Awards ceremony for being Changemaker Chapter of the Year, Outstanding Programs- Student Wellness, and Learning Achievement. These awards would not have been possible if it weren’t for the participation of each and every member and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of an organization that cares for each of its members equally. Furthermore, I have dedicated my college career to being as involved with the Staley School of Leadership as possible. I am pursuing several degree add-ons that are offered by the Staley School, such as a Global Food Systems Leadership secondary major, a Leadership Studies minor, and a Nonprofit Leadership certificate. Most recently, I became a recruitment officer for the Staley School of Leadership where I, in a cohort of three other individuals, am tasked with meeting one on one with prospective students interested in furthering their leadership journey during their time at K-State. I educate students and their families about the programs the leadership school has to offer, as well as other opportunities for involvement on campus. I am also committed to being a class leader next semester for LEAD 212: Introduction to Leadership Concepts, a class that statistically, 1 in 4 K-State students will take while on campus. This means that the diversity in these classrooms is thicker than thieves. I can’t wait to continue to work for a leadership school whose mission is, "Developing knowledgeable, ethical, caring, inclusive leaders for a diverse and changing world." I have begun an undergrad research project this summer about food insecurity in military families. I felt called to this topic after what my own family had to endure in the beginning of my dad’s commitment to the United States AirForce. To the best of my knowledge, there are programs in place to help these families overcome such struggles, but are not made common knowledge to those who need the help the most, which leaves the families feeling helpless, and through fear of judgment and stigma, these families shy away from asking for help. I know food insecurity isn’t easily solved, but this shouldn’t discourage people from helping out where they can. I will call my research efforts a success if I am able to bring awareness to military families in need, as well as shedding light on programs that are available to them to offer assistance in times of need. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, it is my dream to obtain a masters degree in International Development with a specialty in the Economics of Development from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. Afterwards, I plan to return to Kansas State University and teach for the Staley School of Leadership. It is a dream of mine through experiential leadership to guide the initiative of adding to the curriculum of the leadership school that is equivalent to a major degree program; therefore, allowing the leadership school to be called the Staley College of Leadership. As of now, the Staley School of Leadership only offers three additives to undergraduate degree programs. It would mean the world to me to be able to diversify an already unique school through a new curriculum that gives even more students the opportunity to reach their educational goals. It is through my past, present, and future experiences that I plan to make a positive impact on the world around me. If we are to make an impact on the world, we must let our passions fuel our efforts.

My freshman year of college, I rushed Kappa Alpha Theta at Kansas State University. This past year, we were recognized at the Fraternal Excellence Awards ceremony for being Changemaker Chapter of the Year, Outstanding Programs- Student Wellness, and Learning Achievement. These awards would not have been possible if it weren’t for the participation of each and every member and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of an organization that cares for each of its members equally. Furthermore, I have dedicated my college career to being as involved with the Staley School of Leadership as possible. I am pursuing several degree add-ons that are offered by the Staley School, such as a Global Food Systems Leadership secondary major, a Leadership Studies minor, and a Nonprofit Leadership certificate. Most recently, I became a recruitment officer for the Staley School of Leadership where I, in a cohort of three other individuals, am tasked with meeting one on one with prospective students interested in furthering their leadership journey during their time at K-State. I educate students and their families about the programs the leadership school has to offer, as well as other opportunities for involvement on campus. I am also committed to being a class leader next semester for LEAD 212: Introduction to Leadership Concepts, a class that statistically, 1 in 4 K-State students will take while on campus. This means that the diversity in these classrooms is thicker than thieves. I can’t wait to continue to work for a leadership school whose mission is, "Developing knowledgeable, ethical, caring, inclusive leaders for a diverse and changing world." I have begun an undergrad research project this summer about food insecurity in military families. I felt called to this topic after what my own family had to endure in the beginning of my dad’s commitment to the United States AirForce. To the best of my knowledge, there are programs in place to help these families overcome such struggles, but are not made common knowledge to those who need the help the most, which leaves the families feeling helpless, and through fear of judgment and stigma, these families shy away from asking for help. I know food insecurity isn’t easily solved, but this shouldn’t discourage people from helping out where they can. I will call my research efforts a success if I am able to bring awareness to military families in need, as well as shedding light on programs that are available to them to offer assistance in times of need. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, it is my dream to obtain a masters degree in International Development with a specialty in the Economics of Development from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. Afterwards, I plan to return to Kansas State University and teach for the Staley School of Leadership. It is a dream of mine through experiential leadership to guide the initiative of adding to the curriculum of the leadership school that is equivalent to a major degree program; therefore, allowing the leadership school to be called the Staley College of Leadership. As of now, the Staley School of Leadership only offers three additives to undergraduate degree programs. It would mean the world to me to be able to diversify an already unique school through a new curriculum that gives even more students the opportunity to reach their educational goals. It is through my past, present, and future experiences that I plan to make a positive impact on the world around me. If we are to make an impact on the world, we must let our passions fuel our efforts.

My freshman year of college, I rushed Kappa Alpha Theta at Kansas State University. This past year, we were recognized at the Fraternal Excellence Awards ceremony for being Changemaker Chapter of the Year, Outstanding Programs- Student Wellness, and Learning Achievement. These awards would not have been possible if it weren’t for the participation of each and every member and I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of an organization that cares for each of its members equally. Furthermore, I have dedicated my college career to being as involved with the Staley School of Leadership as possible. I am pursuing several degree add-ons that are offered by the Staley School, such as a Global Food Systems Leadership secondary major, a Leadership Studies minor, and a Nonprofit Leadership certificate. Most recently, I became a recruitment officer for the Staley School of Leadership where I, in a cohort of three other individuals, am tasked with meeting one on one with prospective students interested in furthering their leadership journey during their time at K-State. I educate students and their families about the programs the leadership school has to offer, as well as other opportunities for involvement on campus. I am also committed to being a class leader next semester for LEAD 212: Introduction to Leadership Concepts, a class that statistically, 1 in 4 K-State students will take while on campus. This means that the diversity in these classrooms is thicker than thieves. I can’t wait to continue to work for a leadership school whose mission is, "Developing knowledgeable, ethical, caring, inclusive leaders for a diverse and changing world." I have begun an undergrad research project this summer about food insecurity in military families. I felt called to this topic after what my own family had to endure in the beginning of my dad’s commitment to the United States AirForce. To the best of my knowledge, there are programs in place to help these families overcome such struggles, but are not made common knowledge to those who need the help the most, which leaves the families feeling helpless, and through fear of judgment and stigma, these families shy away from asking for help. I know food insecurity isn’t easily solved, but this shouldn’t discourage people from helping out where they can. I will call my research efforts a success if I am able to bring awareness to military families in need, as well as shedding light on programs that are available to them to offer assistance in times of need. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, it is my dream to obtain a masters degree in International Development with a specialty in the Economics of Development from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. Afterwards, I plan to return to Kansas State University and teach for the Staley School of Leadership. It is a dream of mine through experiential leadership to guide the initiative of adding to the curriculum of the leadership school that is equivalent to a major degree program; therefore, allowing the leadership school to be called the Staley College of Leadership. As of now, the Staley School of Leadership only offers three additives to undergraduate degree programs. It would mean the world to me to be able to diversify an already unique school through a new curriculum that gives even more students the opportunity to reach their educational goals. It is through my past, present, and future experiences that I plan to make a positive impact on the world around me. If we are to make an impact on the world, we must let our passions fuel our efforts.

In my twenty years of life, I believe I have been provided with multitudinous opportunities for personal growth through adversity. Seven short years ago my dad retired from the US Air Force after serving just over 20 years as active duty. Fourteen of those years were spent in Charleston, South Carolina, where my younger sister and I grew up. My family made the move to Ellsworth, Kansas three weeks before COVID seemingly shut the entire world down. We all had to adapt to a new normal while I finished high school, my sister began high school, and my parents adjusted to new careers. One thing that really helped me overcome the struggles of leaving the one true home I had ever known on top of COVID, was reconnecting with my ancestors on my mom's side which led me to competing for and winning Miss Czech/Slovak Kansas 2022. Because of this opportunity I was able to share my experiences as a former military dependent who reconnected with their roots on a podcast episode for Military Child Education Coalition to offer insight to other military dependents struggling to fit in and encourage them to be curious about where their ancestors came from. Because if finally understanding where my family came from helped me feel the sense of belonging I had been craving for the first fifteen years of my life, then I’m confident it can help others too. I am not sure that one experience outweighs the other, but rather each life experience provides a foundation for the next in a constant cycle for personal growth. I strive to make the most of each opportunity the good Lord gives me. I know this to be true because I am a living testimony of God’s plan for my life through personal experiences some might consider a challenge, setback, or failure. I am going into my junior year at Kansas State University studying Agriculture Economics and focusing in Policy. I am also pursuing a secondary major in Global Food Systems Leadership, a minor in Leadership Studies, and a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. I am an active member in my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, as well as a campus ministry, Christian Challenge. I currently serve as a recruiting officer for the Staley School of Leadership, and am a student board member for PowerCat Financial. I am planning on conducting my own undergraduate research project surrounding the topic, “Food Insecurity in Military Families”. This topic is near and dear to me because for a period of time while my dad was active duty, we qualified for food stamps and if this is something my own family experienced and struggled through then surely there are others experiencing similar situations if not worse. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I plan to earn my Master’s in International Development Studies specializing in the Economics of Development from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. This would mean the world to my dad's side of the family as they were the ones to immigrate to the US from Friesland, the Netherlands just after WWII. After, I plan to return to Kansas State University and teach for the Staley School of Leadership. It is a dream of mine to lead the initiative of adding to the curriculum of the leadership school that is equivalent to a major degree program; therefore, allowing the leadership school to be called the Staley College of Leadership. The main takeaway can be summed up by a quote I found on Pinterest, "It is not possible to win high level success without meeting opposition, hardship, and setback."

I am going into my junior year at Kansas State University studying Agricultural Economics and focusing in Policy. I am also pursuing a secondary major in Global Food Systems Leadership, a minor in Leadership Studies, and a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. I chose this degree plan over the course of the past three years. I settled on an Agricultural Economics degree my senior year of high school after serving as an officer for my local FFA chapter. Though I thought I knew what I wanted to do in college as any hot headed freshman, plans and degree paths change, often for a good reason. I thought I wanted to take the pre-law path but God had other plans, per usual. It took both freshman and sophomore year in college to add a secondary major in Global Food Systems Leadership, a minor in Leadership Studies, and a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. This degree plan, and success thus far would not have been possible if it weren't for the connections I have made through friends and faculty at this great University. No wonder K-State is #1 in the nation for friendliest students. I am an active member in my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, as well as a campus ministry, Christian Challenge. I currently serve as a recruiting officer for the Staley School of Leadership, and am a student board member for PowerCat Financial. These involvements, outside of my degree plan, will help me achieve my goals through strenuous personal development, and I could not be more grateful for every opportunity I am blessed with. I am planning on conducting my own undergraduate research project this summer surrounding the topic, “Food Insecurity in Military Families”. This topic is near and dear to me because for a period of time while my dad was active duty in the United States Air Force, our family qualified for food stamps and if this is something my own family has experienced and struggled through then surely there are others experiencing similar situations if not worse. Food insecurity isn't easily solved, so even if my impact is bringing awareness to programs that help combat this issue, reducing the stigma around asking for help, or advocating for military families that are struggling, then I have accomplished just what I've set out to do. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I plan to earn my Master’s in International Development Studies specializing in the Economics of Development from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. This would mean the world to my dad's side of the family as they were the ones to immigrate to the US from Friesland, the Netherlands just after WWII. After, I plan to return to Kansas State University and teach for the Staley School of Leadership. It is a dream of mine to lead the initiative of adding to the curriculum of the leadership school that is equivalent to a major degree program; therefore, allowing the leadership school to be called the Staley College of Leadership. I am determined to turn my dreams into reality through relentless commitment to my studies, organizations I am a part of, and building relationships on campus. Because it is through the connections I make and nurture now that will help me in achieving my dreams. I have confidence in this plan because I know all faculty and Staff at Kansas State University want to see their students succeed and are willing to help them where it is needed. This is true because 96% of the class of 2023 and 98% of College of Agriculture graduates had jobs following graduation.

I believe that my path emulates Margot’s in the sense that ‘Every (Wo)man a Wildcat’. I am a rising junior at Kansas State University studying Agricultural Economics with a specialty in Policy. I am also pursuing a secondary major in Global Food Systems Leadership, a minor in Leadership Studies, as well as a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. I am also a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority where I served as the MC’22 Class Representative on the Member Development Committee my freshman year. Being a part of the Greek life community at K-State has provided me multiple opportunities to serve the local Manhattan community. WildKAT Chase is the longest running campus wide philanthropy event that is put on by Theta, and is an annual 5K, usually in October, that snakes through the K-State campus. Proceeds are split with the majority being donated to the Manhattan CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and any remaining funds are given to the Theta Foundation to fund scholarships for Thetas nationally and internationally. It is each members’ duty to oversee the event functions before, during, and after the event day. It means the world to me that I am able to be a part of something bigger than myself while in college. Aside from Greek life, I serve as a Staley School Recruitment Officer where I meet one on one with prospective students and their families and teach them more about what the Staley School offers and what their leadership potential may look like as a student at K-State. Furthermore, I am going to be a small group facilitator for LEAD 212: Introduction to Leadership Concepts where I will go more in depth with my students in a recitation period that covers topics discussed in the Town Hall lecture. I am also planning on serving as a Peer Mentor on campus with the Division of Academic Success and Student Affairs. Time is precious, and with two years left of my undergraduate degree, I strive to make the most of the opportunities I am given on and off campus. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, it is a dream of mine through experiential leadership to guide the initiative of adding to the curriculum of the leadership school that is equivalent to a major degree program; therefore, allowing the leadership school to be called the Staley College of Leadership and providing more educational opportunities for future wildcats. I feel most connected to Margot’s dreams and aspirations through the undergraduate research project I have begun this summer about food insecurity in military families. I felt called to this topic after what my own family had to endure in the beginning of my dad’s commitment to the United States AirForce. Nearly 25% of military families experience food insecurity whether that is skipping meals here and there or skipping rent payments to buy food To the best of my knowledge, there are programs in place to help these families overcome such struggles, but are not made common knowledge to those who need the help the most, which leaves the families feeling helpless, and through fear of judgment and stigma, these families shy away from asking for help. I know food insecurity isn’t easily solved, but this shouldn’t discourage people from helping out where they can. I will call my research efforts a success if I am able to bring awareness to military families in need, as well as shedding light on programs that are available to them to offer assistance in times of need. It is my commitment to service and community that I believe emulates Margot’s path.

My dad served in the United States Air Force for a little over twenty years. In those two decades, my family has lived in McChord, Washington, Abilene, Texas, Charleston, South Carolina, and Ellsworth, Kansas. The majority of my dad’s service was spent stationed in Charleston which is where my younger sister and I really grew up. As a military family, it is difficult when you get orders to go somewhere new and unfamiliar just as you have built a community of sorts in the place you’ve been in the past few years. Looking back now, I am incredibly thankful for how my parents brought my sister and I up in the military and didn’t allow us to feed into the negativity that seems to lurk with being connected to the service. Living in Charleston meant that we were only a 6-7 hour drive from Orlando, Florida which can be described as Heaven to two young girls who grew up watching Disney movies all day in their princess dresses and tiaras as they waited for daddy to come home from work. In total, my family has made the journey to Walt Disney World over 30 times and I can truly say that this has been made possible because of my dad’s job. On Disney property, there is a resort, Shades of Green, specifically for the DoD and their families to stay for only a fraction of the cost of other resorts on property. They also offer different park passes at a discounted rate just as one might get a discount shopping anywhere else. The memories made because we had access to military benefits such as these are wholly and entirely priceless. From reciting the audio from Big Thunder Mountain from memory, reciting the monorail audio also from memory, riding Expedition Everest three times in a row because it was raining and the wait time was only 5 minutes, riding Big Thunder Mountain 7 times in a row during a fireworks show and there happened to be a major parade right after while the wait time stayed between 5 and 10 minutes, seeing who can drink Beverly without making a face, being the first ones in line at Magic Kingdom on Christmas morning (5 am), making rope drop to rope drop to be in line for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train before the wait reached ridiculous times, to standing in line for 4+ hours to ride Frozen Ever After when it first opened. We didn’t always need to go into the parks to make memories; we were content taking the monorail hotel hopping to see the decorations during different holidays such as the giant gingerbread house in the Grand Floridian during Christmas or the painted chocolate egg display in the Contemporary Resort during Easter. I believe I have proved my when I say I don’t think I can pick one memory over another, but rather a collection of memories my family can share and look back on because of the many benefits that are provided to service members and their families. In a world where it often seems like military members are being told to put their careers before their families, it is most ardently important that military families cherish the good memories and make family commitments a priority. It is undeniable that the military lifestyle can be hard on families; during the hard times it is key to be intentional and make it a habit to create lasting memories with your family. It is because of this that I can confidently say my family has healed with our happy memories together.

I grew up watching the movie adaptations of the book series, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis without putting much thought into what message C.S. Lewis was trying to convey. Through my personal growth as a Christian and overall maturation, I have come to understand that The Chronicles of Narnia echoes the life of Christ through overarching themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption. Christ’s unwavering love for His children led Him to the ultimate sacrifice so that we might be redeemed to live a life of holiness. This statement can be upheld by Romans 6:22-23, “But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God... For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (New Living Translation) This Biblical reference is a parallel to a particular segment in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, one of the Narnia movies, where Edmund left his siblings in search of validation from the White Witch, Jadis, the Satan-like figure. Through various trials and tribulations, Edmund’s siblings are able to reunite with him at a Narnian encampment. This is where Aslan, the Christ-like figure, redeems Edmund, but for a price. Aslan encounters Jadis and agrees to sacrifice himself out of love for Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve. This has taught me that temptation through worldly validation is less than fulfilling. Our true fulfillment is found in validation through Christ. Just as the characters in Narnia fought between good and evil in the books and movies, we do the same today with social temptations that plague the world around us. Such social temptations might be a desire for worldly possessions, false identities and idolatries created by social media, etc. It can be difficult to have faith in God when times are uncertain, but the Bible tells us to continue in the gospel just as a famous Narnia quote from Prince Caspian reads, “I stand by Aslan. Have patience… The help will come”. Similarly, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.” (New Living Translation) In any situation, the Gospel has the power to transform character and empower endurance. This is something I believe is remarkably important for today's society to take note of: In times of uncertainty and unrest, it is imperative we hold fast to God’s word. I am an incoming junior at Kansas State University studying Agricultural Economics with a secondary major in Global Food Systems Leadership. I am also getting a minor in Leadership Studies, as well as a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, it is my dream to obtain a masters degree in International Development with a specialty in the Economics of Development from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. Afterwards, I plan to return to Kansas State University and teach for the Staley School of Leadership. It is a dream of mine through experiential leadership to guide the initiative of adding to the curriculum of the leadership school that is equivalent to a major degree program; therefore, allowing the leadership school to be called the Staley College of Leadership. If this path is meant for me according to God’s will, it will be achieved by living in the gospel in the light of His return, just as the Narnians lived in the light of Aslan's return.

I am going into my junior year at Kansas State University studying Agricultural Economics and focusing in Policy. I am also pursuing a secondary major in Global Food Systems Leadership, a minor in Leadership Studies, and a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. I chose this degree plan over the course of the past three years. I settled on an Agricultural Economics degree my senior year of high school after serving as an officer for my local FFA chapter. Though I thought I knew what I wanted to do in college as any hot headed freshman, plans and degree paths change, often for a good reason. I thought I wanted to take the pre-law path but God had other plans, per usual. It took both freshman and sophomore year in college to add a secondary major in Global Food Systems Leadership, a minor in Leadership Studies, and a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. This degree plan, and success thus far would not have been possible if it weren't for the connections I have made through friends and faculty at this great University. No wonder K-State is #1 in the nation for friendliest students. I am an active member in my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, as well as a campus ministry, Christian Challenge. I currently serve as a recruiting officer for the Staley School of Leadership, and am a student board member for PowerCat Financial. These involvements, outside of my degree plan, will help me achieve my goals through strenuous personal development, and I could not be more grateful for every opportunity I am blessed with. I am planning on conducting my own undergraduate research project this summer surrounding the topic, “Food Insecurity in Military Families”. This topic is near and dear to me because for a period of time while my dad was active duty in the United States Air Force, our family qualified for food stamps and if this is something my own family has experienced and struggled through then surely there are others experiencing similar situations if not worse. Food insecurity isn't easily solved, so even if my impact is bringing awareness to programs that help combat this issue, reducing the stigma around asking for help, or advocating for military families that are struggling, then I have accomplished just what I've set out to do. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I plan to earn my Master’s in International Development Studies specializing in the Economics of Development from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. This would mean the world to my dad's side of the family as they were the ones to immigrate to the US from Friesland, the Netherlands just after WWII. Afterwards, I plan to return to Kansas State University and teach for the Staley School of Leadership. It is a dream of mine to lead the initiative of adding to the curriculum of the leadership school that is equivalent to a major degree program; therefore, allowing the leadership school to be called the Staley College of Leadership.

In my twenty years of life, I believe I have been provided with multitudinous opportunities for personal growth through setbacks. Seven short years ago my dad retired from the US Air Force after serving just over 20 years as active duty. Fourteen of those years were spent in Charleston, South Carolina, where my younger sister and I grew up. My family made the move to Ellsworth, Kansas three weeks before COVID seemingly shut the entire world down. We all had to adapt to a new normal while I finished high school, my sister began high school, and my parents adjusted to new careers. One thing that really helped me overcome the struggles of leaving the one true home I had ever known on top of COVID, was reconnecting with my ancestors on my mom's side which led me to competing for and winning Miss Czech/Slovak Kansas 2022. Because of this opportunity I was able to share my experiences as a former military dependent who reconnected with their roots on a podcast episode for Military Child Education Coalition to offer insight to other military dependents struggling to fit in and encourage them to be curious about where their ancestors came from. Because if finally understanding where my family came from helped me feel the sense of belonging I had been craving for the first fifteen years of my life, then I’m confident it can help others too. I am not sure that one experience outweighs the other, but rather each life experience provides a foundation for the next in a constant cycle for personal growth. I strive to make the most of each opportunity the good Lord gives me. I know this to be true because I am a living testimony of God’s plan for my life through personal experiences some might consider a challenge, setback, or failure. I am going into my junior year at Kansas State University studying Agriculture Economics and focusing in Policy. I am also pursuing a secondary major in Global Food Systems Leadership, a minor in Leadership Studies, and a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. I am an active member in my sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, as well as a campus ministry, Christian Challenge. I currently serve as a recruiting officer for the Staley School of Leadership, and am a student board member for PowerCat Financial. I am planning on conducting my own undergraduate research project surrounding the topic, “Food Insecurity in Military Families”. This topic is near and dear to me because for a period of time while my dad was active duty, we qualified for food stamps and if this is something my own family experienced and struggled through then surely there are others experiencing similar situations if not worse. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I plan to earn my Master’s in International Development Studies specializing in the Economics of Development from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands. This would mean the world to my dad's side of the family as they were the ones to immigrate to the US from Friesland, the Netherlands just after WWII. After, I plan to return to Kansas State University and teach for the Staley School of Leadership. It is a dream of mine to lead the initiative of adding to the curriculum of the leadership school that is equivalent to a major degree program; therefore, allowing the leadership school to be called the Staley College of Leadership. The main takeaway can be summed up by a quote I found on Pinterest, "It is not possible to win high level success without meeting opposition, hardship, and setback."