The Voice Aerobics® graduate student scholarship is awarded annually to a student who demonstrates character traits and intention to make a positive contribution to the field of Speech-Language Pathology.
The 2019 recipient is Amy Roth, a graduate student at Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
Amy stated that she was drawn to the field of speech-language pathology because: “it is field embodying kindness and providing compassion. It gives me the opportunity to live life valuing these qualities. As an SLP, I will be able to make a difference in the lives and simply the days of my clients. More importantly, I am looking forward to how they will impact my life. I selected this field to not only help my clients, but to learn from them.”
Amy’s awareness, even now, as a student, that in helping others, we help ourselves, was what drew me to her application. I must also share, that Amy is the first scholarship recipient that hails from my alma mater, and that makes me doubly pleased to offer her this year’s award.
Amy was selected from a field of over 100 scholarship applicants, and as in prior years, the selection was difficult. Some applicants shared that their first exposure to our field was when a family member required speech-language services, and others described an even more personal experience with their own communication impairment. Helping others, here in the United States, and around the world, are also themes that emerge, and some students have already participated in health ministry in impoverished countries. Finally, a love of family and friends is often listed as a passion, and I suspect that love will transfer to the patients (people) they eventually serve.
I want to thank every student who took the time to apply for the scholarship, and assure you, regardless the number of years you spend working in our field, you will never stop learning, and if your work is driven by a desire to help others, you will be forever fulfilled.
“The Voice Aerobics® student scholarship award was begun as a way of giving back to the profession that I love, to support clinicians who represent the future of the field, and as a way of affirming the continued success of my own business. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit an application.”
Mary Spremulli, MA, CCC-SLP, Owner, Voice Aerobics, LLC