Sarah Tolbert

Sarah Tolbert of Fort Smith, AR  attends the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville working towards a MS in Speech-Language Pathology. She received a $3,000.00 scholarship for the Fall 2024/Spring 2025 term and will graduate Spring 2025. She has been part of our program since 2021 and has maintained a 4.0 GPA the entire time.

Sarah grew up watching her father, a physical therapist, play a large part in changing people’s lives – he helped rehabilitate people who had strokes, heart attacks, or had been in serious accidents. He inspired her to want to help people in a similar way and Sarah felt by becoming a speech pathologist, she could do that. She wants to “improve people’s quality of life and increase their self-esteem.”

Watch as her dreams come true.  Congratulations, Sarah!!

Miranda Smith

Meet Miranda Smith of Barling, AR who first joined our program last year. She is working on her Doctorate of Nursing Practice – Nurse Midwifery degree and will graduate in May 2025!

This remarkable young woman has dedicated her life’s work to “serve the women and children of Arkansas by bridging gaps in care and educating them on bodily autonomy and care choices.”

She relates “from foster care to graduation, her hometown of Clarksville rallied to help her destroy generational chains. My soul yearns to cultivate a clinic in the Arkansas River Valley that provides specialized care for at-risk teen mothers and their children.” We know she will succeed!

Congratulations, Miranda!

Ashlyn Roffine

Ashlyn Roffine of Fort Smith, AR received her second $2,000 Scholarship to UAFS where she is working to obtain her BSIS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, with plans to graduate in Spring 2026.

After high school graduation in 2021, she chose to stay in Fort Smith to pursue her degree in radiography and has already received her Associates of Applied Science Degree.

This young lady describes herself as a “very hard working and driven individual” who studies a lot and sets high standards for herself.  She is just the type of person you would want to take your x-ray!    

We know that Ashlyn will do her absolute best when working with her patients.

Congratulations, Ashlyn! 

Mikelle Porter

Reintroducing Mikelle Porter of Van Buren, AR who is attending UCA to obtain her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She was awarded  a $3,000.00 Fall 2024 – Spring 2025 scholarship and will graduate in Summer 2025. 

A summer job in 2020 led her to interact with multiple children who had delayed language development – which hindered their ability to communicate clearly – and sparked an interest in speech and language disorders which was something she didn’t know existed. 

She states, “The magnitude of diversity and variety within the field of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) results in a never ending passion I can continuously work towards”

This incredibly determined young woman will truly make a wonderful Speech Pathologist.

Congratulations, Mikelle

Kobe Panis

And here is repeating recipient Kobe Panis of Greenwood, AR. He received the Dr. James Greene Nursing Scholarship Award in the amount of $2,000.00 for the FY 2024-2025 terms to the University of Fort Smith, AR. 

We felt that Kobe would be an outstanding recipient of this incredibly special honor. He states, “all my life I have been very driven to achieve goals and overcome hurdles.” Diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder at an early age, he achieved his goal of completing high school with an Honor’s Diploma and 35 college credits! We can’t wait to watch and see what he does next.

He will graduate with his RN degree  in Spring 2025!  Congratulations, Kobe!

Ryan Hewett

Here’s to Ryan Hewett of Van Buren, AR who received a $1,500.00 scholarship to Arkansas State University where he’s working on his Master of Nursing degree in Nursing Administration, and will graduate in December 2024. 

He initially received his BSN degree from the University of Arkansas in 2021 but knew he wanted to do more and further his education.

He has worked as a nurse for the past two years in an ICU at a level one trauma center in North Carolina to get valuable experience. He takes great pride in his home state and plans to stay in the area upon graduation.

Way to go, Ryan!

Jania Flake

Another “second year “recipient, Ms. Jania Flake of Fort Smith, AR, received a $3,000.00 scholarship to Oklahoma State University where she will receive her MS in Athletic Training in Spring 2025.

Initially, Jania wanted to be physical therapist but realized that athletic training would bring her more fulfillment after witnessing an interaction between an athlete and her athletic trainer.  “The look of relief that came across the athlete’s face (who had an ankle injury) when she saw her entrusted trainer by her side is something I will always remember.”

This dedication to her field will make Jania a most trusted and successful athletic trainer.

Congratulations, Jania!

Perri Efurd Sweet

Re-introducing Miss Perri Efurd Sweet of Fort Smith, AR who received a $3,000.00 scholarship to the University of Central AR where she is pursuing her Masters in Speech Pathology Language Pathology.

Her biggest influence was her mom who practiced as a speech pathologist for 20 years. She found a passion for working with the special needs population after working at Pediatrics Plus one summer. She also volunteers in a special needs ministry at her church.

Being accepted into UCA’s Master’s program was the goal she achieved, and she hopes to use partnerships with other hospitals that UCA has to learn not only about pediatric speech therapy, but medical speech therapy as well.

We are proud to have Perri in our scholarship program! Congratulations!  

Madison Combs 

Here is Madison Combs of Pocola, OK who received a $3,000.00 scholarship to Northeastern State University for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 terms. She is working on her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology and plans to graduate in Spring 2027.

Madison is a “second year” Degen recipient and following in her mother’s footsteps to be in the medical field. She became interested in speech pathology after seeing her 3 year old cousin struggle with learning to talk and communicate verbally and undergoing speech and language therapy – and working with him at home.

She wants to help “children and stroke victims alike” and this is her passion and dream.

We need more people like you, Madison!! Congratulations! .

Gracie Weidman

Please welcome Gracie Weidman of Fort Smith, AR who received a $3,000,00 Scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas for the Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 terms. She is working towards her MS in Communication Sciences Disorders and plans to graduate in Fall 2026.

Gracie related that as a child she was very reserved and scared to speak up in large group settings. She felt that her opinion rarely outweighed her fear of a negative response from peers, which played a part in her wanting to become a speech-language pathologist. “The idea of having a career where she can help clients’ development and to grow their confidence communication brings her much hope and joy.”

It is people like Gracie that will make a difference in people’s lives. Congratulations, Gracie!