My desire to pursue a career supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities grew from experiences that showed me how powerful communication and inclusion can be in shaping a person’s independence and confidence. I have chosen to pursue Speech-Language Pathology so that I can support individuals with intellectual disabilities, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, gain communication skills. Communication is more than speech—it is the foundation for connection, self-advocacy, and participation in society. One experience that shaped this goal was my work as a Program Leader at the Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan. In this role, I worked with children from diverse backgrounds, including many who were neurodivergent or had developmental and intellectual disabilities. One child whom I worked with closely experienced significant communication difficulties as a result of his disability. He struggled to express himself clearly, causing frustration and, oftentimes, physical outbursts. Working with him helped me understand how critical communication support is for children with developmental differences. My team and I worked to create strategies that helped him express himself more effectively. Because he loved sharks, we created a “Shark Chart,” which helped him identify his emotions and communicate his needs in a way that felt comfortable and engaging for him. Over time, I watched him grow more confident in using his voice to express what he was feeling. His progress exemplifies that when children with any kind of needs are given the right tools and support, they can overcome barriers that once seemed immovable. My involvement with Down Syndrome Innovations deepened my commitment to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities across the lifespan. During my time volunteering with this organization, I participated in activities designed to foster social engagement and community among adults with Down Syndrome. These experiences allowed me to build meaningful connections with individuals in a place where they could express themselves and feel valued within their community. What stood out most to me was the joy, resilience, and individuality of the people I worked with. At the same time, I became more aware of the societal barriers many individuals with intellectual disabilities face. Communication differences, limited access to services, and misconceptions about their abilities can prevent individuals from fully participating in educational, social, and professional spaces. Yet, when these individuals are given supportive environments and opportunities to communicate, their strengths and personalities shine. My time with Down Syndrome Innovations reinforced my belief that communication is a pathway to independence and dignity. Being able to express ideas, build friendships, and advocate for one’s needs is essential to living a fulfilling life. Unfortunately, many individuals—especially those from low socioeconomic backgrounds—do not have consistent access to the services that support these skills. Limited financial resources, lack of nearby specialists, and long waitlists can prevent families from receiving early and effective support. As a future Speech-Language Pathologist, I hope to help bridge this gap by working with underserved communities and advocating for accessible communication services. My goal is to provide evidence-based support that empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities to express themselves, participate in their communities, and pursue meaningful opportunities. Whether working with children in schools or adults in community programs, I want to ensure that every individual I serve feels heard, respected, and capable. Ultimately, the individuals I have met through my work and volunteer experiences have shown me that communication is not simply a skill—it is a fundamental human right. By dedicating my career to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities, I hope to help create a world where every person, regardless of ability or socioeconomic background, has the opportunity to share their voice and be heard.

Growing up, I learned early that service is not just the occasional act—it is a way of life. I witnessed my mother serve each and every person she encountered and dreamed to be like her. My most meaningful experiences in life come from opportunities to support and uplift others, especially children and individuals with special needs. Through my volunteer work at the Vacation Bible School program at my home church, and working with Down Syndrome Innovations, I have seen firsthand how encouragement, patience, and compassion can help people in my own community reach their potential. These experiences have shaped my desire to pursue Speech-Language Pathology and to use my education to serve individuals with special needs. One of my earliest introductions to service was volunteering at my church’s Vacation Bible School. Each summer, I worked with young children, helping lead activities, guide lessons, and create a welcoming environment where they felt safe and valued. While the program focused on faith and community, I quickly realized that it was also about meeting children where they were and supporting their individual needs. Small moments—helping a quiet child join a group activity or encouraging a nervous student to share their ideas—showed me how meaningful one supportive person can be in a child’s development. My commitment to serving others continued to grow through my involvement with Down Syndrome Innovations. Working with individuals with Down Syndrome gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges that many families face when navigating communication, learning, and social development. At the same time, I saw incredible resilience, joy, and determination in the individuals I worked with. These experiences reinforced my belief that everyone deserves access to resources and a community where they feel welcome. During my time with Down Syndrome Innovations, I was able to build relationships with individuals who simply needed someone to believe in their abilities. I witnessed how confidence can grow when someone feels heard and supported. Communication is more than just speech; it is a way to connect, express identity, and participate in the world. Seeing individuals gain confidence in social interactions or express themselves more clearly made me realize how transformative communicative support can be. These service experiences ultimately guided me toward the field of Speech-Language Pathology. Communication is something many people take for granted, yet for individuals with speech and language disorders, it can be a daily challenge that affects education, employment, and relationships. I want to be part of the solution by helping individuals find their voice and gain confidence in it. In particular, I am passionate about serving individuals who face barriers to care, specifically people with special needs who also face low-socioeconomic hardships. Access to speech-language services is often limited by financial constraints or geographic locations. I hope to use my education and training to advocate for equitable access to therapy and to work in settings where I can support underserved populations. Whether through schools, community programs, or nonprofit organizations, I want to ensure that individuals who might otherwise be overlooked receive the support they deserve. Service has shaped both my personal values and my professional goals. My experiences at Vacation Bible School and Down Syndrome Innovations showed me the power of compassion, patience, and advocacy. As I pursue a career in Speech-Language Pathology, I carry those lessons with me. My goal is not only to help individuals improve their communication skills, but also to empower them to participate fully in their communities and pursue their own dreams. Through my work, I hope to continue living a life of service by helping others find their voice and support their success.

As I reflect on the past three years during which I have been privileged to hear Margot's story through the beautiful words of her husband at my Gamma Phi chapter, a relentless feeling of motivation overcomes me. Mr. Bogner illustrates a young woman who carried such strength, courage, and beauty, using her goodness for the betterment of others. With graduation quickly approaching, I feel indescribable excitement for what lies ahead. As I prepare to begin graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology this fall, I am ecstatic to serve my clients day in and day out, while having the opportunity to learn and grow as a professional along the way. While lingering feelings of uncertainty and fear remain, the ability to reflect on Margot's life in completing this scholarship has been an incredible reminder of the strength that is within all of us. The feelings of inspiration and motivation far outweigh any doubt, and the hope to do good and embody Margot's spirit with every step on my path creates immense drive within me. Looking back on my journey at Kansas State, I feel humbled to align with the goals and spirit of a woman such as Margot. Like her, I have committed myself to academic excellence, maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout all four years and being named the 'Outstanding Senior' of my program. I am truly blessed to be able to focus my studies on a field for which I have such passion. Apart from my academics, I have found profound joy through my involvement in Gamma Phi and my community. Through Gamma Phi, I have been elected to serve in four different positions, each one contributing to my development as a woman, friend, and leader. Just as Margot had an immense passion for serving organizations close to her heart, I recently spent my summer in Kansas City volunteering for Down Syndrome Innovations. This organization has given me the opportunity to work with adults with Down Syndrome in my community, helping to cultivate a space where every individual can find friendship, belonging, and feel valued for who they are. One of the most impactful experiences of my life has been working as a Program Leader at Boys & Girls Club in Manhattan for the past three years. In this role, I have been blessed to work with incredible groups of kindergarten, first, and second grade students. Many of my students are impacted by traumatic backgrounds or low socioeconomic status. The privilege of being a safe adult in the lives of children who lack stability has been an experience that has fundamentally changed me as a person. I dream to serve a community that is challenged in ways similar to my students as a future professional. Just as Margot dedicated her time to providing legal assistance to poverty-stricken clients, I would be honored to serve individuals facing hardship within my field. Over the past four years, I have held sole responsibility for my tuition and Gamma Phi expenses. Despite working nearly 20 hours per week during each semester of my undergraduate years, I am still facing a significant amount of student debt. As I begin graduate school, my debt will increase drastically. I am incredibly appreciative of this opportunity to share my story and to reflect on the life of such an incredible woman. Margot's love for life, her love for others, and her ambition to do good deeply resonates with me. I aspire to be a fraction of the woman she was--leading my life with love and serving my community, carrying on her legacy of light.

An event in my life that has dramatically impacted me is my three years of work at Boys & Girls Club in Wamego, Kansas. Working closely with young children, many of whom were impacted by trauma, low socioeconomic status, autism spectrum disorder, or emotional regulation issues, created drive within me to give these young people a voice. I began to see the impact I could make by simply giving these children the tools and space to communicate with me. I learned that while I cannot change a child’s situation, I can always adapt their resources to best serve them. This job is what truly motivated me to want to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. One child I had the privilege of working with at Boys & Girls Club experienced physical and emotional trauma in his preschool years that impacted his ability to emotionally regulate and communicate effectively. It was immensely difficult for me to accept that I could not take the hurt away from this child. However, in collaboration with my team members, we were able to provide this child with an individualized program that helped him practice emotional regulation in a way that promoted functional communication. We utilized his favorite thing: sharks, and created his “Calming Shark Chart.” It was not a quick change, but I began to watch this child create great strides within our program, moving from communicating his needs through physical behaviors to communicating his needs with his voice. By targeting his emotional regulation and reinforcing the power of his voice, we were able to keep this child in our program, and I was able to establish a bond with a child who I will now never forget. He taught me that when patience and advocacy meet, our children can break through barriers we once thought immovable. I do not yet know where I see myself working in the future. My passion for the advocacy of our children is one that I hold close to my heart, and I would be blessed to do that for the rest of my life. At the same time, I see the value and importance of advocating for our older populations, our disabled populations, and our rehabilitating populations. I feel privileged that I have so many opportunities available to me to serve others, and I know that graduate school will serve me in finding where my talents best fit. For now, I will be where my feet are and best serve the person in front of me. This job has given me passion, courage, and a purpose in pursuing my future education and it has fundamentally changed who I am and how I see the world.

Beginning college, I knew was that I loved working with children and I wanted to help people. I chose Speech-Language Pathology initially because my sister was a Speech-Language Pathologist, and I truly was not sure what direction I wanted to go. As I continued through the program at K-State, I began to develop a love for not only what I was learning, but what I would be doing as a future clinician. I realized just how necessary the services I would be providing someday are and all of the opportunities I had to help people of all ages find confidence and independence. My greatest challenge throughout my college years has been financially supporting myself and the impact this has had on my mental health. I am extremely blessed with an amazing family who provides me support in numerous and insurmountable ways. Unfortunately, I do not receive financial support, and it is my responsibility to put myself through college, which has been both a blessing and a hardship. I have learned so much about myself and my capability to balance heavy courseloads, non-academic involvements, all while working between 15-20 hours each week. I am immensely grateful for the lessons I have learned by having to balance so much, but I also recognize the way that financial stress has deepened my struggle with anxiety. I have been struggling with Generalized Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder for about seven years now. I have been lucky enough to find an amazing therapist and have been able to receive medication- both of which have helped me immensely. However, the feeling of being overwhelmed by bills, tuition, future graduate school tuition, and maintaining a social life with friends who do not have the same responsibilities has created a stark increase in my mental health struggles over the past four years. These struggles have impacted my focus in class drastically and have made it significantly more difficult for me to study as well. I am very proud of the ways in which I have coped with these struggles and maintained a 4.0 GPA through both high school and college. Looking towards graduate school, I cannot contain my excitement to further my education and get closer to becoming a Speech Therapist. I have developed an immense love for learning about this field, and I am ecstatic to get the opportunity to learn more while also getting to implement what I have learned within the graduate clinic. However, application fees, rent, food, and tuition is an area where I feel wildly unprepared to manage. I am hoping that continuing to work, federal aid, and scholarships will assist me in staying afloat throughout graduate school, but it definitely seems daunting as of now. By continuing my education through graduate school, I want to be able to gain the knowledge to create a better future for people with extensive needs. Through my work at Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan, I developed a passion for people with special needs, emotional/behavioral struggles, and trauma-impacted people. The ability to actively invest in the well-being of young people who so desperately needed supportive adults in their life is an experience that has fundamentally changed me as a person. Through my undergraduate education, my anticipated setting now not only includes wanting to work with children, but people of all ages. Specifically, I want to work in a medical setting that allows me to work with people who are impacted by swallowing and communication disorders as the result of a disorder or trauma. I want to have the ability to work with people who are struggling, advocate for them, and make an impact in their life that allows them to be a more independent and functional person in their community. I have made it a personal goal to be a positive and supportive friend to anyone and everyone I encounter each day. As I have grown up, it has become more evident to me just how much darkness there can be in life, but to me, where there is darkness, there is also light. At my core, this is why I want to be a Speech-Language Pathologist. I know that my plans for what setting I will be in may change as I continue through my schooling, but I also know that whatever population I get the privilege of serving, in whichever setting I find myself in, I will be given the opportunity to be a light for someone who needs it. I truly believe that not only the work I will be doing as a Speech-Language Pathologist will make a difference, but who I am will make a difference in the lives of those I serve. Thank you for considering me for this scholarship!

Deciding upon a career to provide fulfillment in my professional life was a daunting task. I have always been a person to worry about the future and to worry about my next step. When I found Speech-Language Pathology, I felt like I found something that would keep me right where my feet are. Speech-Language Pathology gives its professionals the opportunity to focus on the person in front of them. Each client offers a different perspective, requires a different approach, and provides an opportunity for learning. The opportunity to focus on each client with intentionality and advocate for their wellbeing above all else, motivates me to pursue a future in this field. Advocacy has been one of my most cherished values in my life. This passion began for me in high school, where I had the opportunity to tutor a student with a brain injury as a result of cancer treatment and surgeries. I had the privilege of helping him develop his own advocacy skills, working on communicating with his teachers and other students. He taught me that a career where compassion was at the forefront is exactly where I needed to be. My passion for advocacy continued and amplified in college when I began working as a Program Leader at Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan. Working closely with young children, many of whom were impacted by trauma, low socioeconomic status, autism spectrum disorder, or emotional regulation issues, created drive within me to give these young people a voice. I began to see the impact I could make by simply giving these children the tools and space to communicate with me. I learned that while I cannot change a child’s situation, I can always adapt their resources to best serve them. One child I had the privilege of working with at Boys & Girls Club experienced physical and emotional trauma in his preschool years that impacted his ability to emotionally regulate and communicate effectively. It was immensely difficult for me to accept that I could not take the hurt away from this child. However, in collaboration with my team members, we were able to provide this child with an individualized program that helped him practice emotional regulation in a way that promoted functional communication. We utilized his favorite thing: sharks, and created his “Calming Shark Chart.” It was not a quick change, but I began to watch this child create great strides within our program, moving from communicating his needs through physical behaviors to communicating his needs with his voice. By targeting his emotional regulation and reinforcing the power of his voice, we were able to keep this child in our program, and I was able to establish a bond with a child who I will now never forget. He taught me that when patience and advocacy meet, our children can break through barriers we once thought immovable. I do not yet know where I see myself working in the future. My passion for the advocacy of our children is one that I hold close to my heart, and I would be blessed to do that for the rest of my life. At the same time, I see the value and importance of advocating for our older populations, our disabled populations, and our rehabilitating populations. I feel privileged that I have so many opportunities available to me to serve others, and I know that graduate school will serve me in finding where my talents best fit. For now, I will be where my feet are and best serve the person in front of me.

My name is Lizzie Kuhl and I am a senior at Kansas State University studying Speech Language Pathology. I have lived in Kansas my whole life. In high school, I played varsity volleyball and lacrosse. I was team captain for both and, for volleyball, we placed 2nd at state for the 5A division. While I was heartbroken at the loss in the championship match, I will never forget the experience. The team who won the state title truly deserved it; I was amazed that we were even on the same court as them, let alone being considered for a title. I am currently applying to graduate school to receive my master's and begin practicing as a speech therapist! I chose to enter this field because of how important advocating for others is to me. Advocacy has been one of my most cherished values in my life. This passion began for me in high school, where I had the opportunity to tutor a student with a brain injury as a result of cancer treatment and surgeries. I had the privilege of helping him develop his own advocacy skills, working on communicating with his teachers and other students. He taught me that a career where compassion was at the forefront is exactly where I needed to be. My passion for advocacy continued and amplified in college when I began working as a Program Leader at Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan. Working closely with young children, many of whom were impacted by trauma, low socioeconomic status, autism spectrum disorder, or emotional regulation issues, created drive within me to give these young people a voice. I began to see the impact I could make by simply giving these children the tools and space to communicate with me. I learned that while I cannot change a child’s situation, I can always adapt their resources to best serve them. I do not yet know where I see myself working in the future. My passion for the advocacy of our children is one that I hold close to my heart, and I would be blessed to do that for the rest of my life. At the same time, I see the value and importance of advocating for our older populations, our disabled populations, and our rehabilitating populations. I feel privileged that I have so many opportunities available to me to serve others, and I know that graduate school will serve me in finding where my talents best fit. Currently, I am struggling with funding myself through graduate school. I do not receive assistance from my parents regarding tuition or living, which is difficult. I am extremely grateful to have amazing parents who support me in so many other ways. If I were to receive this scholarship, I would feel honored and it would help relieve burden from me. I want to move forward in my studies to help people find their voice, but I need help with resources to get there. Thank you so much for considering me. May Kalia's legacy live on.

I am a current senior at Kansas State studying Speech Language Pathology. I am passionate about this career because it gives me the opportunity to serve those around me daily. Speech Language Pathology gives its professionals the opportunity to focus on the person in front of them. Each client offers a different perspective, requires a different approach, and provides an opportunity for learning. The opportunity to focus on each client with intentionality and advocate for their wellbeing above all else, motivates me to pursue a future in this field. Advocacy has been one of my most cherished values in my life. This passion began for me in high school, where I had the opportunity to tutor a student with a brain injury as a result of cancer treatment and surgeries. I had the privilege of helping him develop his own advocacy skills, working on communicating with his teachers and other students. He taught me that a career where compassion was at the forefront is exactly where I needed to be. My passion for advocacy continued and amplified in college when I began working as a Program Leader at Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan. Working closely with young children, many of whom were impacted by trauma, low socioeconomic status, autism spectrum disorder, or emotional regulation issues, created drive within me to give these young people a voice. I began to see the impact I could make by simply giving these children the tools and space to communicate with me. I learned that while I cannot change a child’s situation, I can always adapt their resources to best serve them. One child I had the privilege of working with at Boys & Girls Club experienced physical and emotional trauma in his preschool years that impacted his ability to emotionally regulate and communicate effectively. It was immensely difficult for me to accept that I could not take the hurt away from this child. However, in collaboration with my team members, we were able to provide this child with an individualized program that helped him practice emotional regulation in a way that promoted functional communication. We utilized his favorite thing: sharks, and created his “Calming Shark Chart.” It was not a quick change, but I began to watch this child create great strides within our program, moving from communicating his needs through physical behaviors to communicating his needs with his voice. By targeting his emotional regulation and reinforcing the power of his voice, we were able to keep this child in our program, and I was able to establish a bond with a child who I will now never forget. He taught me that when patience and advocacy meet, our children can break through barriers we once thought immovable. I do not yet know where I see myself working in the future. My passion for the advocacy of our children is one that I hold close to my heart, and I would be blessed to do that for the rest of my life. At the same time, I see the value and importance of advocating for our older populations, our disabled populations, and our rehabilitating populations. I feel privileged that I have so many opportunities available to me to serve others, and I know that graduate school will serve me in finding where my talents best fit. For now, I will be where my feet are and best serve the person in front of me.

Deciding upon a career to provide fulfillment in my professional life was a daunting task. I have always been a person to worry about the future and to worry about my next step. When I found Speech-Language Pathology, I felt like I found something that would keep me right where my feet are. Speech-Language Pathology gives its professionals the opportunity to focus on the person in front of them. Each client offers a different perspective, requires a different approach, and provides an opportunity for learning. The opportunity to focus on each client with intentionality and advocate for their wellbeing above all else, motivates me to pursue a future in this field. Advocacy has been one of my most cherished values in my life. This passion began for me in high school, where I had the opportunity to tutor a student with a brain injury as a result of cancer treatment and surgeries. I had the privilege of helping him develop his own advocacy skills, working on communicating with his teachers and other students. He taught me that a career where compassion was at the forefront is exactly where I needed to be. My passion for advocacy continued and amplified in college when I began working as a Program Leader at Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan. Working closely with young children, many of whom were impacted by trauma, low socioeconomic status, autism spectrum disorder, or emotional regulation issues, created drive within me to give these young people a voice. I began to see the impact I could make by simply giving these children the tools and space to communicate with me. I learned that while I cannot change a child’s situation, I can always adapt their resources to best serve them. One child I had the privilege of working with at Boys & Girls Club experienced physical and emotional trauma in his preschool years that impacted his ability to emotionally regulate and communicate effectively. It was immensely difficult for me to accept that I could not take the hurt away from this child. However, in collaboration with my team members, we were able to provide this child with an individualized program that helped him practice emotional regulation in a way that promoted functional communication. We utilized his favorite thing: sharks, and created his “Calming Shark Chart.” It was not a quick change, but I began to watch this child create great strides within our program, moving from communicating his needs through physical behaviors to communicating his needs with his voice. By targeting his emotional regulation and reinforcing the power of his voice, we were able to keep this child in our program, and I was able to establish a bond with a child who I will now never forget. He taught me that when patience and advocacy meet, our children can break through barriers we once thought immovable. I do not yet know where I see myself working in the future. My passion for the advocacy of our children is one that I hold close to my heart, and I would be blessed to do that for the rest of my life. At the same time, I see the value and importance of advocating for our older populations, our disabled populations, and our rehabilitating populations. I feel privileged that I have so many opportunities available to me to serve others, and I know that graduate school will serve me in finding where my talents best fit. For now, I will be where my feet are and best serve the person in front of me.