04/20/2026
Hi Jack,
As you know I am very grateful for the scholarship that Kiwanis provided when I graduated in 2022. I have attached an end college update so you can see the progress I have made in the past year with your organization's help. I also have some exciting news. I got accepted to the medical speech-language pathology master's program at University of Washington and will be starting in the fall.
Thank you again for your support!
Izzy Graham
Dear Scholarship Donor, If you had met me four years ago, you would not be meeting the same person writing this letter today. Going into my undergraduate degree at ASU, I had goals, but I did not yet have a clear sense of who I wanted to be in this world. Over the past four years, and especially this final semester, that has changed completely. I have been accepted into the medical speech-language pathology masters program at the University of Washington and I will be starting this fall. I am so excited to be a Husky, although my household will be divided with my brother becoming a Coug this year. I am especially excited to return to the state that has always been my home. In my time at ASU, I have been challenged, shaped, embraced, and ultimately transformed in ways I never expected when I first arrived. While my academic experiences have been meaningful, the most significant growth came from learning how to show up for others and adapt across different environments. When I reflect on what has shaped me most, it is the combination of my time living on the island, my college courses, and mostly the unique internships and leadership roles I have taken on during my time at ASU. Over these four years, I have come to realize something even more important: I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Through every experience, both challenging and rewarding, I have found a deep sense of belonging in the speech-language pathology field. What once felt like a path I was exploring has become something I am certain of, and I know it is not only what I want to do, but where I truly belong. The medical setting, supporting individuals with complex communication and swallowing needs is where I know I am meant to be. More importantly, I want to use those skills to give back to the islands that raised me. Growing up in the San Juan Islands, I saw firsthand how limited access to specialized care can be. My goal is not only to be a clinician, but to be someone who seeks out communities in need and provides meaningful, accessible care. Everyone deserves a chance to be heard, and I hope to be the clinician who helps make that possible. Ultimately, I hope to return home and provide services that are often out of reach in the San Juan Islands, where there is currently no medical speech-language pathologist and limited access to healthcare overall. Everything I have worked toward has led me to this next exciting step. To become a speech-language pathologist, my journey continues in graduate school. Over the past year, I have dedicated countless hours to researching and applying to programs across the country. For as long as I can remember, attending the University of Washington has been one of my dreams. I am incredibly grateful to say that this dream has become a reality. As I prepare for this next chapter, I am also aware that continuing my education comes with significant financial responsibility. Any continued support would make a meaningful difference in allowing me to fully pursue this path. I would be incredibly grateful for any funding, as well as any information about additional scholarships or fellowships that may be available to support my graduate education. My education would have never been possible without your generosity and the help of your organization. I can truly not thank you enough for supporting me over the past four years and for being part of a journey that has changed my life. Your involvement has helped shape who I am today, and I carry that with me as I move forward into this next chapter. Thank you, Isabel Graham
