UW Chapter of the National Student SpeechLanguage Hearing Association: Year in Review

Saddle Up Event: At the beginning of the year, UW saddle up hosted an involvement fest. NSSLHA had a table and generated interest in communication disorders and how students can connect with the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. We gave a “what is speech pathology” elevator pitch and included information from the Department of Communication Disorders. Overall it was a great way to meet incoming freshman and learn about potential members.

Football Cleanup fundraisers: Last September, NSSLHA assisted in cleaning up after a University Football Game. NSSLHA partnered with the University to get money for our fundraiser. NSSLHA members stay after the first football game of the semester to clean up trash around the field. This took them a few hours to complete. The University gave NSSLHA $600 for their time and assistance. This money was part of a donation to the UW Speech and Hearing Clinic’s scholarship fund that aids clients in need of purchasing an AAC device or hearing aids.

Down Syndrome Awareness Day: This March NSSLHA celebrated Down Syndrome Awareness day. We all wore crazy colored and patterned socks because they represent Down syndrome in the ways they look like chromosomes. We were able to get the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center to change their lights to blue and yellow to represent Down syndrome as well. Down Syndrome Awareness day is on March 21st to represent the unique triplication on the 21st chromosome. We, as a group, enjoyed sharing our advocacy on Down Syndrome Awareness Day.

The Big Event: Last October, NSSLHA participated in the Big Event. This event is a Laramie-wide community service project. The NSSLHA chapter was divided into several groups and were placed at different sites throughout the Laramie community. At the sites, NSSLHA members helped community members with various tasks. One site was the First Baptist Church of Laramie. At the church, members helped with yardwork, painting, and winterizing gardening equipment.

Candy Gram fundraiser (Halloween and Valentine’s Day): In October and February, NSSLHA sold Candy Grams for Halloween and Valentine’s Day, respectively. The Candy Grams could be purchased prior to and during the tabling sessions in the Union. All of the proceeds from sales of the Candy Grams were added to the scholarship fund that NSSLHA will donate to the UW Speech and Hearing Clinic.

Day: On Oct. 18, 2022, NSSLHA dressed up in purple and changed the gateway sign to the color purple to represent Developmental Language Disorder Day. We used the color purple to spread awareness of the individuals who have a difficult time understanding language and speaking. We hoped to spread awareness and start a conversation that will last for years to come.

Developmental Language Disorder

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you, our generous alumni and friends, for your continued support of the University of Wyoming Division of Communication Disorders. Your gifts help to reinforce the lasting presence of scholarship, research and endowment. Our faculty, staff and most importantly, our students, thank you!

WONDERING HOW YOU CAN MAKE YOUR GIFT OF SUPPORT GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR SPECIFIC AREA OF INTEREST?

IF YOU’D LIKE TO GIVE TO THE STEVE ELLIOTT COMMUNICATION DISORDERS SCHOLARSHIP, VISIT