The Community Foundation for Crawford County is pleased to introduce Addison Young, a 2026 recipient of one of the 20 Margaret and Donald Wenner, MD Scholarship awards.
Addison, the daughter of Neely Young and Alan Young, is a 2024 graduate of Bucyrus High School. She is attending Kent State University and studying Speech Pathology and Audiology.
What is your favorite aspect of college life and why?
"My favorite aspect of college life is constantly being exposed to new people, things, and experiences that are boosting me in both my career and personal life. I have gotten the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds, build meaningful relationships, and learn both inside and outside of the classroom. College has allowed me to explore my interests and gain valuable experiences that have helped prepare me for my future career."
What new interests or courses of study have you discovered at college?
"Since starting at Kent State, I have discovered my passion for speech pathology and all that the field has to offer. I have found a true passion for helping others feel confident in their ability to communicate efficiently, and I am grateful that Kent State's Exploratory Program gave me the freedom to explore different classes and areas of study. That opportunity allowed me to take different classes until I discovered a career that I can genuinely see myself pursuing for the rest of my life."
In what way has the college experience changed/improved you?
"The college experience has helped me become a much more responsible and independent person. I have learned the importance of keeping up with my schoolwork, while also balancing my personal and work responsibilities. I have been pushed to become more organized and be held accountable for my actions, which has overall taught me a lot about responsibility in the real world. These skills have not only helped me become a better student, but have also prepared me to be more responsible and dependable in my future career."
What advice would you give an incoming college freshman?
"I would tell incoming freshmen to fully embrace the feeling of being uncomfortable during their first semester. It is completely normal to feel nervous when meeting new people, making friends, and being introduced to new classes and environments. Although it may feel intimidating at first, stepping outside of your comfort zone can lead to some of the most rewarding experiences. If you stick with it and learn to become comfortable with being uncomfortable, you will grow in ways you never expected."
What is one item on your bucket list and why?
"One item on my bucket list is to spend a summer taking a road trip all over the West. I would love to visit several national parks, including Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Yosemite, and especially Mount Rainier. I have recently loved being outdoors and exploring new hikes with my boyfriend, so I think getting to experience the different landscapes, hiking trails, and scenery throughout these parks would be unbelievable."
Congratulations and good luck in the future, Addison!
To learn more about scholarships offered through the Foundation, visit www.cfcrawford.org/scholarships
