Ashley Figanbaum, Allen College, Iowa

Ashley Figanbaum, a junior nursing student at Allen College, has been instrumental in establishing a program for fifth and sixth grade girls in her small rural hometown community.  The program’s focus is helping young girls build self-esteem by empowering them to take care of themselves through healthy behaviors and to role model contributions to society through community service and community leadership activities. The ability to autonomously create, organize, and implement this program demonstrates Ashley’s character and her strengths, including her abilities to lead, collaborate, and serve the community.