Get To Know Our Spring 2026 Scholarship Recipient – Sky Monty

On By Danielle Olson

We’d like to formally introduce our Spring 2026 2nd Place Scholarship Recipient, Sky Monty. The Lisa Michelle Memorial Fund was established to assist and recognize students who have lost a parent, guardian, grandparent, sibling, and/or spouse  to substance abuse. We are proud to award a $500 scholarship to assist Sky this year. Sky is in the Paramedic program at the Kirkwood Community College.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am currently completing my paramedic program while working in emergency medical services. My life has been shaped by both personal loss and stepping into leadership early. After losing my mother in 2024, I became the primary caretaker for my younger brothers while continuing my education and professional training.
Experiencing addiction’s impact firsthand has deeply influenced my path. It strengthened my empathy, discipline, and commitment to service. In EMS, I meet families at some of their most vulnerable moments, and I understand both the medical and emotional weight those moments carry. My goal is to turn adversity into purpose and to build a life defined by stability, education, and service.

Q: Imagine yourself 10 years from now. What goals and ambitions do you have for yourself, personally, academically, and professionally?

Ten years from now, I see myself practicing medicine at an advanced level, potentially as a Physician Assistant. I want to deepen my clinical knowledge and expand my ability to care for patients in both emergency and preventative settings.
Personally, I hope to have built a stable and secure life for myself and my family. I want my brothers to see that resilience and education create opportunity. Academically, I plan to continue pursuing higher education and specialized certifications. Professionally, I aim to work in emergency or critical care settings while advocating for patients affected by substance use disorder.

Q: Aside from a college degree, what do you hope to gain from your college experience?

Beyond earning a degree, I hope to gain perspective, discipline, and growth. College has taught me to think critically, manage time under pressure, and communicate effectively in professional environments. Balancing school while raising my brothers and working has strengthened my resilience. I want my college experience to continue shaping me into someone who is not only knowledgeable, but dependable and steady under stress.

Q: What motivates you to continue working towards accomplishing your goals?

What motivates me most is the opportunity to break cycles. Addiction shaped much of my early life, but education has given me a different trajectory. Each certification and class completed represents forward momentum. I am motivated by the belief that transformation is possible and that adversity does not have to define outcome. I am also motivated by the patients I serve. Being clinically prepared in critical moments matters, and I take that responsibility seriously.

Q: What advice would you give to other students who have been through circumstances similar to yours?

Your circumstances may shape you, but they do not limit you. It is possible to grieve, grow, and achieve at the same time. Seek support, build structure, and focus on consistent progress rather than perfection. You are not responsible for the struggles that surrounded you, but you are capable of building something stronger moving forward.

Get To Know Our Spring 2026 Scholarship Recipient – Alannah Loeb

On By Danielle Olson

We’d like to formally introduce our Spring 2026 1st Place Scholarship Recipient, Alannah Loeb. The Lisa Michelle Memorial Fund was established to assist and recognize students who have lost a parent, guardian, grandparent, sibling, and/or spouse  to substance abuse. We are proud to award a $1,000 scholarship to assist Alannah this year. Alannah is majoring in Social Work at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a nontraditional Master of Social Work student with a background in holistic health. I currently work for a nonprofit substance use recovery organization, where I support individuals and families navigating addiction and healing. I live in Michigan with my husband and our four cats. I have always felt called to help people, but as I got older, I realized I wanted to formalize that calling by becoming a licensed social worker. My life has been profoundly shaped by loss; I have lost both my mother and my 14-year-old son to suicide, and those experiences have deeply informed my commitment to trauma-informed care and community healing.

Q: Imagine yourself 10 years from now. What goals and ambitions do you have for yourself, personally, academically, and professionally?

Ten years from now, I hope to have earned a Ph.D. and to be leading my own nonprofit center focused on trauma healing and resilience training for children and families. I want to create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal. Personally, I hope to travel to a new place each year, continue to grow, and intentionally choose joy wherever I can find it.

Q: Aside from a college degree, what do you hope to gain from your college experience?

Beyond earning a degree, I came to graduate school to refine my direction and clarify how I want to serve. I also hoped to build meaningful connections with peers and mentors. For me, college is as much a journey of self-discovery as it is an academic pursuit. It has helped me better understand my strengths, my values, and the kind of leader I want to become.

Q: What motivates you to continue working towards accomplishing your goals?

Living as a suicide loss survivor, I often wrestle with the question of why I am still here when they are not. I reconcile that question through service. I am motivated by the desire to honor their memory by giving back and helping others navigate pain, loss, and healing. Being of service gives my life meaning and keeps me grounded in purpose.

Q: What advice would you give to other students who have been through circumstances similar to yours?

My advice would be to grieve in your own way and at your own pace. Do not let other people’s expectations shape how you process loss. I would also strongly encourage seeking support. Support groups, therapy, and trauma-informed healing practices have been transformative in my own journey. You do not have to carry everything alone.