When I came to Kansas State University, I knew I wanted to make the most of every opportunity in front of me. I am entering my junior year as a Family and Consumer Sciences Education major, and I have worked to build a life centered around leadership, service, and encouraging others, which is why Ms. Bogner’s story resonates with me so deeply. One of the biggest parts of my college experience has been being a member of the K-State cheer team. Behind the performances and game days are early mornings, long practices, travel, workouts, and constant commitment to the people around you. I was the only freshman selected for the Nationals Team, and that experience taught me a lot about discipline, confidence, and supporting others through both success and challenges. Cheer has pushed me far outside my comfort zone, but it has also connected me with strong women who encourage each other to grow, something that reminds me that empowered women empower women. Outside of cheer, I stay involved in organizations and service opportunities that reflect the kind of educator and person I hope to become. I serve as the Social Media Officer for KSU FCSEO, where I help connect future Family and Consumer Sciences educators and advocate for the importance of practical life skills education. Some of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had in college have come through volunteering. For the past three years, I have volunteered at Evening with the Stars, a prom night experience for individuals with special needs. This year, I volunteered at events in both Manhattan and Topeka, and it has become something I genuinely look forward to every year. I love getting to celebrate with the attendees, help create a fun and welcoming environment, and watch people feel confident and included. I’ve also volunteered with the Fierce Cats special needs cheer team, another experience that has reminded me how important it is to make people feel seen, valued, and capable. Those experiences have shaped the way I view leadership and service. Sometimes the smallest moments of kindness and encouragement can have the biggest impact. Growing up in a family of eight also shaped my work ethic and perspective. Financially, college has always been something I knew I would need to work hard for. I’ve taken dual-credit courses to help reduce costs and will spend this summer working as both an NCA cheer camp instructor and on my local school district’s painting crew, a job I’ve returned to for four summers. Balancing school, work, athletics, and service has not always been easy, but it has taught me resilience and time management while also making me appreciate every opportunity I have been given. As a future middle school FACS teacher, I hope to create the same kind of positive impact that mentors, coaches, teachers, and teammates have had on me. I want my future students to leave my classroom feeling confident, capable, and supported, not just academically, but personally as well. Receiving the Margot Bogner Memorial Scholarship would mean so much to me, not only because of the financial support, but because it represents the values Margot lived out every day: ambition, compassion, leadership, and lifting others up along the way.

I am dedicated to empowering women and advancing the cause because I know the power of strong support and encouragement. Growing up, my parents always believed in me and my sisters. They never treated us like we were limited or defined by our gender. Instead, they reminded us that we could accomplish anything we set our minds to. Because of that foundation, I want to be a source of the same encouragement and strength for others. My goal is to become a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at the middle school level. I chose this path because I believe teaching life skills and leadership at a young age can have a lasting impact. Middle school is a critical time in a student’s life. It is when many kids start to discover who they are and what they believe they can achieve. I want to be a teacher who helps them build confidence, learn valuable skills, and see themselves as capable leaders. I especially want young girls to leave my classroom knowing they can do anything they choose. As a cheerleader at Kansas State University, I have been part of a team where support, trust, and leadership are essential. Being in that environment has helped shape who I am. I have learned how to lead through actions, how to lift others up during difficult moments, and how to stay committed even when things get tough. These lessons are not just part of my athletic experience. They reflect how I plan to lead in my classroom and in my community. My passion for empowering others goes beyond cheer and school. I have volunteered with a special needs cheer team, helped at local food pantries, and assisted at wrestling tournaments. These experiences have taught me how important it is to give back and to be present for others. Sometimes, all a person needs is someone who believes in them. I want to be that person whenever I can, whether it is as a teacher, mentor, coach, or volunteer. Empowering women is not about fixing what is broken. It is about building confidence, creating opportunity, and recognizing the strength that already exists. I am not pursuing this goal because I lacked support. I am pursuing it because I had the kind of support that believed in me for who I am. I want to pass that along to others. This scholarship would help me continue my education and move closer to becoming the kind of teacher who makes a real impact. I am committed to working hard, staying involved, and helping others grow. I look forward to building a classroom where students feel seen, capable, and confident in who they are and what they can achieve.

Being the first in my immediate family working toward a bachelor’s degree means a lot to me. I am truly excited to become a teacher and to continue working hard to finish my degree. The journey isn’t always easy, especially financially, since I have multiple siblings in college and my parents don’t have a lot of extra money to help. Even though money is tight, my parents are incredibly supportive. My mom went to college and earned an associate’s degree, and my dad works in the trades. Both of them deeply value education and have always encouraged me to keep going and to do my best. Their support means everything to me, and it motivates me to push through the tough times. At Kansas State University, I am majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences Education because I want to make a real difference in students’ lives. Teaching practical skills like nutrition, budgeting, and relationships is important to me because these are things everyone needs to know, but not everyone gets to learn well in school. I’m passionate about helping young people prepare for life and become confident adults. Being part of the K-State cheer team and volunteering in my community have helped me develop leadership, time management, and communication skills. These experiences have shown me how important it is to stay positive, work hard, and support others, which I plan to bring into my future classroom. My goal is to become a middle school Family and Consumer Sciences teacher. After I finish my bachelor’s degree, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in education so I can continue growing as an educator and possibly support other teachers someday. I also would like to coach cheerleading because it’s been a big part of my life and has helped me build confidence, discipline, and teamwork. I am determined to complete my degree so I can have a career that helps others and provides stability for my future. I want to be a teacher who encourages students to believe in themselves and prepares them for success, both in school and in life. Although the financial challenges can be difficult, I know that finishing my degree will open doors for me and allow me to support my family someday. I am grateful for my parents’ support and proud to be continuing their legacy of valuing education. I look forward to the day when I can give back to my community as a dedicated teacher and mentor.

Some people influence your life in quiet, consistent ways that shape not only who you are but who you want to become. For me, that person was Mrs. Leckron, my middle school Family and Consumer Sciences teacher. She didn’t just teach sewing, cooking, or budgeting. She taught kindness, encouragement, and belief in others, even when they couldn’t see their own potential. Her impact on me was so profound that I now aspire to become the kind of educator she was. One who makes students feel seen, valued, and capable of greatness. Middle school is a time when many students are trying to figure out who they are. For me, it was a time filled with self-doubt and uncertainty. I wasn’t the most confident student, and I often second-guessed myself, whether it was in academics, friendships, or activities. But in Mrs. Leckron’s class, I always felt safe. She had a way of greeting each student with genuine enthusiasm and warmth, as if she had been looking forward to seeing me all day. No matter what kind of day I was having, her energy made things better. What set her apart was her consistent positivity. It wasn’t fake or over-the-top—it was real, grounded, and contagious. She would take the time to learn about each student’s interests, strengths, and even struggles. When we were learning how to sew, she celebrated our small successes like they were major achievements. If you made a mistake, she never made you feel like a failure. Instead, she helped you laugh, learn, and try again. That simple, optimistic approach taught me that learning is about growth, not perfection. I remember one moment that sticks with me even now. I had worked hard on a project that didn’t turn out quite the way I wanted. I was frustrated and embarrassed, certain that it looked like a mess. But Mrs. Leckron looked at it and said, “You know what I see? I see effort. I see progress. I see someone who didn’t give up.” That shift in perspective changed the way I saw myself. And it’s the same lens I want to offer my future students-one that values perseverance and heart over flawlessness. Her classroom felt like a second home to so many of us. It wasn’t just about the content she taught, but the culture she created. One of respect, encouragement, and personal connection. That environment made me realize how much power a teacher has in shaping a student’s confidence and self-worth. I started to recognize the kind of impact I could have someday, too. Choosing to major in Family and Consumer Sciences Education was a direct result of that realization. I wanted to follow in Mrs. Leckron’s footsteps, not to be exactly like her, but to carry forward the kindness, patience, and positivity she showed every day. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel supported, especially those who might not hear often enough that they are capable, talented, and important. Just like she did for me. My journey as a student, an athlete, and a leader has continued to reinforce the kind of educator I want to become. As a cheerleader at Kansas State University, I’ve learned the importance of teamwork, discipline, and lifting others up. All lessons I plan to take into the classroom. Through volunteer work and leadership roles, I’ve gained insight into how to connect with others and create inclusive, welcoming spaces. But at the heart of it all is still that quiet voice of inspiration that began years ago in a middle school classroom: Mrs. Leckron’s voice, telling me I mattered and that I could make a difference. In the future, I hope to be that person for my students. The one who sees their effort, who believes in them even when they don’t believe in themselves, and who helps them grow not just academically but personally. Teaching is so much more than delivering lessons. It’s about modeling empathy, celebrating small victories, and showing students that who they are is just as important as what they know. When I think about the impact I want to have as a teacher, I think of Mrs. Leckron. Her influence lives in the way I encourage my peers, the way I lead with kindness, and the way I approach challenges. And one day, when a student says I made a difference in their life, I’ll know it’s because someone once did the same for me.

Growing up in a family of eight, I learned early on the value of patience, responsibility, and life skills. Our home was busy, full of movement and support, but not without its challenges. As I navigated school and life, I found myself drawn to classes that taught me practical, real-world knowledge. That’s where I met Mrs. Leckron—my Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) teacher—and the person who would ultimately inspire my path to becoming a teacher. Mrs. Leckron’s classroom was more than a place to learn how to cook or sew. It was a place of belonging, encouragement, and growth. She taught with purpose and heart, and she made every student feel important. Her ability to connect with us and teach life-changing skills in such a meaningful, engaging way left a deep impression on me. I saw firsthand how education could empower students—especially young women—to believe in themselves, manage their lives with confidence, and make smart decisions. I knew then that I wanted to follow in her footsteps. In high school, I enrolled in every FACS course available and was later named a Kansas CTE Scholar. These classes gave me skills I’ll use for the rest of my life and confirmed my passion for this field. I am now a sophomore at Kansas State University, one of the only universities in Kansas offering a FACS education program, and I’m pursuing my degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. I hope to one day become a middle school FACS teacher who makes the same kind of difference in students’ lives that Mrs. Leckron made in mine. Beyond academics, cheerleading has played a huge role in shaping who I am. I’ve been involved in the sport for years, and I currently cheer for Kansas State University. As the only freshman selected for our National Competition Team, I’ve learned how to perform under pressure, stay committed to goals, and support teammates through challenges and victories alike. Cheer has strengthened my leadership skills, work ethic, and resilience—traits that will serve me well as a teacher. In addition to academics and athletics, I’ve stayed deeply involved in service. I’ve volunteered with Cats Cupboard, local high school wrestling tournaments, and most meaningfully, with the Fierce Cats—K-State’s special needs cheer team. Helping these athletes grow in confidence and skill has been one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience. I’ve learned that serving others, no matter how big or small the gesture, is one of the most powerful ways to lead. I’m also an active member and current Social Media Officer of KSU FCSEO (Family and Consumer Sciences Education Organization), where I connect with fellow future educators and advocate for the importance of FACS in schools. Through this role, I’ve learned how to amplify my voice and encourage others to find pride in the field of education. I’m passionate about creating awareness for the value of life-skills education and ensuring that students understand how relevant and empowering these courses can be. As a future teacher, I plan to use every experience I’ve had—my time in Mrs. Leckron’s classroom, my involvement in cheerleading, my leadership roles, and my commitment to service—to inspire and uplift my students. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel safe, capable, and curious. I want to teach them how to make a budget and a meal, but also how to make a plan for their lives and believe in their futures. I want to be a positive force in their lives, just like Mrs. Leckron was in mine. My goal is to be more than just a teacher. I want to be a mentor, a motivator, and a role model. I want my students to leave my classroom knowing that their education matters—not just for grades, but for their growth as people. If I can help even one student feel as empowered as I did in school, I’ll know I’ve done my job well.

From a young age, I’ve strived to live a life filled with purpose, positivity, and perseverance—values that Margot Bogner clearly embodied. Now a sophomore at Kansas State University pursuing a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education, I am committed to empowering others through teaching, service, and leadership, just as Margot empowered those around her. Like Margot, I believe in excellence in all areas of life. Academically, I maintain a 3.75 GPA while balancing the rigorous demands of being a college cheerleader, a role that requires year-round dedication to practices, games, travel, and community appearances. Being the only freshman selected for the K-State Nationals Team last year was one of the greatest honors of my college experience so far, and it reinforced my belief that hard work and teamwork open doors to new heights. Outside of athletics, I’m actively involved in several organizations that fuel my passion for service and leadership. I currently serve as the Social Media Officer for KSU FCSEO (Family and Consumer Sciences Education Organization), where I help create community among future educators and advocate for the importance of life skills education. I’ve also volunteered at Cats Cupboard, local high school and state wrestling tournaments, and with the Fierce Cats—K-State’s special needs cheer team—which has been one of the most meaningful parts of my college journey. These experiences remind me how powerful it is to lift others up and create spaces where everyone feels seen, capable, and supported. Growing up in a family of eight with limited financial resources, I’ve learned the importance of responsibility, resilience, and resourcefulness. I’ve taken dual-credit courses to accelerate my degree and minimize costs. I will be working this summer as a cheer camp instructor with the National Cheerleaders Association as well as working for my local school district on the summer painting crew for the 4th year to help support my education. Though the path hasn’t always been easy, I know that each challenge has shaped me into a more compassionate and driven leader—someone who wants to pour into others just as so many have poured into me. Margot’s mantra, “empowered women empower women,” deeply resonates with me. As a future middle school FACS teacher, I plan to dedicate my career to equipping students—especially young women—with the real-world skills, confidence, and vision they need to chase their dreams and build meaningful lives. I hope to inspire them to believe in themselves the way mentors have inspired me. Receiving the Margot Bogner Memorial Scholarship would not only relieve the financial burden of college but would also be an incredible honor—to be seen as someone striving to live with the same heart, excellence, and impact that Margot shared with the world.