For 2021 The Colony High School graduate Hope Bianco, receiving an LEF scholarship gave her the freedom to explore a wide range of interests and ultimately find her passion. The Ethridge Faculty Scholarship alleviated the financial burdens of attending college, allowing her to focus on her academic journey and future aspirations.
Bianco’s path to academic success was not without its challenges. Growing up, she struggled with learning disabilities, including dyslexia and ADHD, which significantly impacted her confidence in the classroom.
“Growing up, I was in the MTA (Multisensory Teaching Approach) program, so I had very low confidence when it came to academics,” Bianco said. “I felt very different than everyone else and I felt like my dyslexia and ADHD meant that I was not intelligent.”
Her perspective began to shift during her high school years. Supportive teachers, like her advanced placement biology teacher, Mr. Goff, played a key role in helping her build confidence.
“One thing he did really well was making sure that his students felt comfortable in the classroom,” Bianco said. “He would call on us, and typically that’s an uncomfortable feeling, but he really created such a safe space in the classroom that you never felt judged.”
Through experiences like these, Bianco learned to view her disabilities as a source of strength rather than a limitation.
“Something I learned throughout high school is that your disabilities don’t define you,” Bianco said. “Just because you have an intellectual disability does not mean you aren’t smart. It might just take you a little bit more time to read or process something, but it will never hold you back when it comes to academic aspirations.”
This newfound confidence carried into her college career. Initially, Bianco enrolled at Kansas State University as a pre-veterinary student. After an internship at a veterinary clinic, however, she began to question if it was the right field for her. Following discussions with a professor and reflecting on her interests, she decided to pivot to business and supply chain management.
“I definitely had some confidence [to change majors] when it came to the scholarship I received,” Bianco said. “It felt like I had a cheerleader, and that I’m going to reach my end goal no matter what, so it gave me the confidence to actually switch.”
Her decision to change majors ultimately opened the door to a new passion. A business law class inspired Bianco to enroll in the pre-law track at KSU, and she began preparing for law school with the goal of becoming corporate legal counsel.
“I participated in a lobbying internship where we got to see the Kansas legislative session and take notes for the representatives that handle Government Relations here at Kansas State,” Bianco said. “It was fascinating to learn about government workings and the legislative process.”
In addition to her academic pursuits, Bianco gained practical experience through internships. She previously worked as a supply chain intern for Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), a grocery wholesaler cooperative. There, she contributed to inventory management projects, gaining valuable insights into corporate operations.
Looking ahead, Bianco is excited to combine her business studies with her passion for law. She plans to attend law school after graduating from Kansas State University, aiming to specialize in business law and serve as legal counsel for a corporation.
From overcoming the self-doubt brought on by her learning disabilities to preparing for law school, Bianco attributes much of her success to the support she received from LISD and LEF.
“To the people that make these scholarships possible, thank you,” Bianco said. “The amount of money…will help a student in some way or another, whether that’s getting books, going towards what it costs to live in the dorms, or just growing their confidence to tell them they can achieve whatever they set their minds to.”
LEF donors and volunteers make stories of hope and success like Bianco’s possible.
