Gifted children oftentimes walk through the world feeling misunderstood. These are kids who tend to feel everything a little bit deeper. They are looked at through a narrow lens—they are bright, high-achieving, and destined for success. Unfortunately, gifted children sometimes withdraw when their intellectual and emotional intensity goes unrecognized. I believe these children need understanding, validation, and safe spaces that allow them to be true to themselves. I want to be a part of creating that understanding and acknowledgment. Lieba's story resonates with me deeply. She was not only gifted in her talents but also in her courage, compassion, and integrity. Lieba noticed pain and stood up when it was easier to stay quiet. That is the kind of social worker I want to be. I want to lead with empathy and step in with strength when others choose to step back. I also want to help families, teachers, and schools better understand the gifted experience. Oftentimes, people assume giftedness makes things easier. However, for many children, it makes the world feel more overwhelming. For these children, when they reach significant achievements, they often feel relieved rather than excited or proud. I want to serve these children and do everything possible to make them proud of their accomplishments. These are children whose depth, brilliance, and compassion deserve to be nurtured. Eventually, I hope to help develop community programs that can easily provide counseling and peer connection for the gifted youth. Especially those from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. I know that emotional support shouldn't be considered a luxury; it should be considered a necessity. Furthermore, I understand that giftedness does not make a child immune to trauma, depression, or loneliness. In fact, it can make those children feel things more deeply. Lieba Joran's legacy is full of radical kindness and moral courage. She didn't wait to take action when needed, and she stood up for others even as a child. That is the kind of spirit I want to honor in my work. School-based social work isn't just a career path to me. Social work is a calling rooted in justice, healing, and the belief that no child should feel alone in their differences. If I were to receive the Lieba's Legacy Scholarship, it would support my education and inspire me to help others in my career as a social worker. I want to spend my life advocating for the children who don't always fit in, who feel too much, think too deeply, and struggle silently. I want to help them find their voices, their power, and their peace. I hope to stand up for children and be someone that people can be confident in. I aspire to embody the qualities of Lieba.

Any child with a rare disorder like Rebecca requires a unique and compassionate approach to education. Understanding their needs, finding a way to communicate in an effective manner, and creating a strong family-school relationship are crucial to their development and success. If I were given the opportunity to work with a child who has a rare disorder, I would make sure I prioritized finding individualized strategies and strengthening family collaboration. First, I would take the time to understand the child's needs, weaknesses, strengths, and personal interests. Each and every child is unique, and when a child has a rare disorder, I believe gathering information from the family is extremely important. Assuming there may be little research available on the rare condition, working closely with the child's family, friends, and doctors would be essential. As a future social worker, the collaboration with those who work closely around the child would be a key aspect in my approach. Communication is another vital component of teaching children who are non-verbal or face communication challenges. Finding alternative and augmentative communication tailored to the child would be something that I prioritize. Some alternative ways to communicate that are the most obvious could include picture exchange communication, speech-generating devices, or sign language. Making it a priority to observe the child's natural gestures and responses would also be very important in developing a personalized communication system. Allowing the child to engage in activities such as music, movement, or sensory play would help me as a social worker create a more enjoyable learning environment that can encourage the child and their participation. Furthermore, multi-sensory learning methods would play a significant role in my teaching. I understand that many children with a wide variety of disabilities benefit from hands-on learning that engages multiple senses. My goal with multi-sensory learning would be to find learning techniques that can pique the child's interest or fit into their hobbies. A large chunk of children who have rare disorders are in collaboration with the family. Family and close friends can provide insight into the child's behavior and preferences. Their support is fundamental to the child's progress. I would value open communication with parents and caregivers, encouraging their involvement in the child's education and therapy. I believe that Rebecca's story is a powerful reminder of the impact that dedicated educators, doctors, therapists, and social workers can have on a child's life. When those people close to children use patience, innovation, and collaboration, children with those rare disorders can have the opportunity to thrive. I hope to be given the opportunity to support such a child. Within that opportunity I would embrace their uniqueness, advocate for their needs, and prioritize giving them the opportunity to grow, learn, and experience joy. I hope that during my career as a social worker I can combine individualized approaches, effective communication strategies, and strong family partnerships to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children with rare disorders like Rebecca.