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At Pond Lehocky Giordano, we are proud to highlight the remarkable students who represent the spirit of resilience, service, and future impact that our 25 Days of Scholarships program was created to honor. One such student is Allison Dahl, a graduate student at Baylor University studying Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Originally from San Diego, California, Allison’s journey into the world of speech-language pathology is deeply personal and profoundly inspiring. In her video submission, Allison shared the life-altering experience that shaped her academic and professional goals. In 2020, while participating in a community service event, she suffered a traumatic brain injury that disrupted nearly every aspect of her life. As her symptoms – ranging from impaired vision and motor difficulties to speech limitations – forced her to return home to recover, she gained a powerful, firsthand understanding of what it means to be unable to communicate despite knowing exactly what one wants to say.
Fortunately, Allison made a full recovery. Upon returning to her undergraduate program at Brigham Young University, however, she decided to dedicate her life to helping others who face similar challenges. Her passion for communication sciences grew through hands-on research involving language accessibility for people with aphasia. Her project – adapting religious texts for adults with communication disorders – not only earned her opportunities to present at conferences but is now on track for publication in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology.
Allison’s future goals are both compassionate and ambitious. She plans to begin her career as a speech-language pathologist, working with individuals who have adult neurogenic communication disorders. Her ultimate aspiration, though, is to return to school to earn her PhD, with the goal of advancing research that helps clinicians better serve patients across the country.
This $1,000 scholarship will help Allison pursue that vision. From funding essential materials to easing the financial pressures of graduate school, we are honored to play a small part in her extraordinary journey. In her words: “I am so grateful to be awarded this scholarship. It will help alleviate some of the financial stress of graduate school, allowing me to focus better on gaining knowledge and clinical skills to serve those with communication disorders. Thank you!”
About the 25 Days of Scholarships
Launched in 2025, the 25 Days of Scholarships is an annual national campaign by Pond Lehocky Giordano to award 25 students across the country with $1,000 scholarships. Open to those attending two-year colleges, four-year universities, trade schools, or other accredited programs, the initiative helps alleviate financial stress so students can stay focused on their education and goals.
Each day in June, we spotlight one deserving student on our website and social platforms – students like Allison – who demonstrate academic commitment, purpose, and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
Applications for this year’s campaign are still open! Students are encouraged to submit a short video about their educational journey and how this scholarship would support their future before the June 15, 2025, deadline.
To learn more about the program, eligibility, and how to apply, visit our scholarship page or reach out to our team at scholarship@pondlehocky.com.
Celebrating the Future
Allison’s story is a moving reminder that challenges can lead to purpose, and that those who overcome adversity often go on to uplift others. We are thrilled to support Allison as she works toward becoming a leader in speech-language pathology and academic research. Her commitment to service, advocacy, and innovation reflects the heart of what the 25 Days of Scholarships program is all about.
Congratulations, Allison. We’re proud to support you – and excited to see the impact your work will have in the years to come.
