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"Say it in 6" entries 2026

Fall 2026 - The Driftless Difference

Our seventh "Say it in 6" competition resulted in 67 eligible graduate student entries from 17 different graduate programs!

This year's theme was "The Driftless Difference" – a connection to UWL Forward, the UWL strategic plan. We asked students to show us and tell us what makes their graduate education uniquely UWL: what is their Driftless Difference?

Please scroll through these interesting and thoughtful contributions and don't forget to cast a vote for your favorite submission.

1. Kaycee Meiners, Physical Therapy

Red-brick campus building and clock tower framed by leafy trees under a blue sky, with the words “Care learned here, carried everywhere forward,”.

2. Christine Starshak, Occupational Therapy

"Say it in 6" competitor submission image reading “Measuring the difference we can make.” A volunteer measures beside a wheelchair user outdoors, conveying accessibility, care, and community support.

3. Nicholas Baco, Physical Education Teaching

A cheerful group of hikers poses on a rocky mountain overlook beneath the words “Take Advantage Of All Opportunities Available,” with scenic peaks and cloudy skies.

4. Rachel Kohlmeyer, Physical Therapy

A smiling student group gathers on a sunny grassy field beneath trees, framed by the words “Surrounded by bluffs, shaped by community.”

5. Kathryn Cochrane, Physician Assistant Studies

A group of friends stands on a grassy overlook above a city at sunset, with the message, “People are what keep care grounded.”

6. Elise Kalina, Occupational Therapy

Text reads “Each day brings a new destination” beside kayakers paddling along a towering red sandstone cliff on calm blue water.

7. Justin Giebel, Nurse Anesthesia

Split image pairs “Daring To Try” with a mountain biker racing through a forest and “Creating Your Future” with a confident speaker onstage.

8. Anya Apfelbeck, Physical Education Teaching

A helmeted climber scales a rugged mountain rock face beneath cloudy skies, with red text reading, “Learning best beyond four classroom walls.”

9. Brittany Mellgren, Occupational Therapy

Natural rock arch frames a forested mountain landscape beneath a blue sky. Overlaid words—“Trust,” “Quality,” “Community,” and “Foundation Built On”.

10. Camille Wikstrom, Physical Education Teaching

A rock climber ascends a towering autumn cliff beneath sparse trees and blue sky; the image’s slogan, “Expand Your Horizons Through New Experiences.”

11. Halla Schultz, School Psychology

People on a campus lawn at sunset, beneath bare trees and beside brick buildings; sky text reads, “Unique paths, different journeys, endless possibilities.”

12. Abigail King, Physical Education Teaching

Black-and-white image of a group of people joining hands in a circle on a field before a city skyline. The text above them says "United in Purpose, Stronger through Connection."

13. Cade Schmidt, Physical Education Teaching

Golden sunlight casts long tree shadows across a riverside park path, with yellow text reading “Never dim the sunshine you bring,”

14. Aiden Sobrino, Physical Education Teaching

A helmeted climber grips a steep tan cliff, secured by a blue rope, beneath the slogan “Different Paths. Shared Purpose. Limitless Growth.”

15. Caitlin Mylly, Health Care Administration

A young woman rests on a grassy alpine slope, gazing at jagged Dolomite peaks; text above reads, “Learning travels farther than the classroom.”

16. Emma Booth, Physical Education Teaching

Two helmeted climbers balance on suspended wooden beams and ropes in an indoor adventure course, with a climbing wall behind them. The text below them states "Different Paths, Shared Purpose, Greater Heights."

17. Ryan Joyce-Turner, Physical Education Teaching

A rock climber scales a rugged golden cliff beside a safety rope, with the message “Learning Beyond Limits, Growing Through Adventure” below.

18. Faith Galica, Physical Therapy

A smiling student presents an anatomy skeleton in a classroom, beside the message “Learn together. Serve together. Help others."

19. Taryn Dornseif, School Psychology

A group of smiling young women pose together beside a landscaped pond, with buildings and trees behind them. Text reads “TOGETHER WE MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE.”

20. Ava Riehle, School Psychology

A bald eagle skims over green water below a forested rocky shore. The message above the eagle says “Scaffold wings. Support flight. Spread impact.”

21. Sadie Kuhl, Student Affairs Administration (MS. Ed)

A bronze seated figure surrounded by colorful lakeside flowers, with calm water and blue sky behind; text reads, “Examine the past, reclaim the future.”

22. Tom Ritt, Physical Therapy

Graduate students gather around a person laying on a stretcher in a therapy setting. The message to the right side of the image reads “The Difference: Where Relationships Meet Opportunity.”

23. Remy Loerakker, School Psychology

A tranquil view from a forested bluff overlooks a green valley and distant town beneath a cloudy sky. Text reads, “Between bluffs, you too will flourish.”

24. Amanda Krueger-Kutcher, Student Affairs Administration (MS. Ed)

A wide river flows between tree-lined banks under a blue sky, with a bridge in the distance; text reads, “Lessons learned through peaks and valleys.”

25. Abigail Naffziger, Educ Leadership Cert

Kayakers paddle on a calm, tree-lined lake, with a small boat in the distance. Overlay text reads, “Seek Feedback, Share Vision, Succeed Together.”

26. Emily Morgan, Physical Education Teaching

A group of hikers gathers on a rocky mountain summit beneath cloudy skies, with “Connect Through Challenge” and “Learn Through Adventure” overhead.

27. Calvin Nelson, Professional Teaching: Experience-Based Learning

People gather around a campfire at sunset, overlooking a winding river valley; text reads, “Strangers gathered. Community grew. Leaders emerged.”

28. Alexis Stoychoff, Recreational Therapy

Inspirational text reads “Your roots shouldn’t determine your reach” over a vast wetland at sunset, with glowing water and dark trees featured below.

29. Travis Sykes, Clinical Exercise Physiology

Four young men pose together in a lab filled with equipment, smiling. The caption reads “Built By Connections. Driven By Purpose”

30. Meagan Otto, Public Health

Two smiling women stand behind a folding table displaying give away items in a hallway; text reads, “Prevention starts at a folding table.”

31. Kyle Kamm, Biology

A hand holds a trout fish above a green streambank, with black cattle grazing in a misty forest pasture. Text reads, “In the Driftless, stakeholders show up.”

32. Kylee Grabarski, Physical Education Teaching

A lone climber traverses a steep rock face beneath dramatic clouds, beside the words “Step past comfort, teach outside lines,” evoking courage and exploration.

33. Ava Lortscher, Physician Assistant Studies

A caregiver leans close to comfort a small infant in a hospital bassinet, surrounded by blankets and medical wires; text reads, “The smallest patients, the greatest impact.”

34. Skyler Arneson, Physical Therapy

A person paddles a bright green kayak along a calm lake bordered by autumn trees beneath a cloudy sky. Orange text reads, “Move Your Body Because Some Can’t."

35. Courtney Theiler, Nurse Anesthesia

A focused trainee practices an anesthetic injection on a medical mannequin at a table; text reads “Local Roots, Global Impact, Exceptional Anesthetics.”

36. Trenna Jones, Physical Education Teaching

A group of hikers rests on a rocky mountain overlook beneath a dramatic cloudy sky, sharing a quiet pause amid rugged peaks; text reads, “Rooted in Mountains, Rising in connections.”

37. Abby Delkamp, Public Health

A smiling woman stands beside a large touchscreen displaying health information, next to the message: “I’m empowered to lead healthier communities.”

38. Rachael Peterson, School Psychology Online

Sunlight breaks through clouds over a vivid green field, where a dirt path leads toward a forest; text reads, “Today’s opportunities create our brighter tomorrow.”

39. Adeline Walton, Physical Therapy

A group of hikers stands on a red-rock ledge overlooking rugged cliffs and green valley. Text reads, “The driftless difference stays with us.”

40. Braedon Graw, Clinical Exercise Physiology

Two women lean over a monitor in a clinic. “Healing Hearts Across the Driftless Region” text is displayed above their heads.

41. Kylie Schmitz, Physician Assistant Studies

Alt text: Gundersen school buildings and U.S. flag beneath the words “Partners reaching out. Students holding tightly.”

42. Jessica Wilson, Clinical Exercise Physiology

Autumn-colored rolling hills beneath a blue sky, framed by golden leaves; overlay reads, “Outdoor grounding amidst a transformative education.”

43. Addie Pauling, Occupational Therapy

Five smiling women in white dresses hold hands on a red track beside a green field, with bleachers behind them and the words “Living here. Learning here. Loving here.”

44. Nora Stroh, Physical Therapy

Six smiling individuals pose at a Research and Creativity Symposium poster event with display boards behind them. Text reads “Challenging • Supporting • Empowering” and “Encouraging • Collaborating • Serving.”

45. Kavya Ayalasomayajula, Medical Dosimetry

Graphic contrasts “Community minus Cancer = The Difference?” with a red arrow pointing to an "US" word on a calculator screen.t.

46. Abigail Nelson, Physician Assistant Studies

Autumn hills overlook a community below under a cloudy sky, with the message displayed across the clouds “Tomorrow’s healing shaped by today’s community”.

47. Josephine Lukan, Clinical Exercise Physiology

A leafless tree and metal bridge frame a calm, partly frozen river at sunset; the headline text reads “Where community, health, and hills connect.”

48. Max Sorenson, Biology

A warm, muted meadow of tall reddish grasses and pale wildflowers fills the frame, overlaid with white text: “Our place: This gathering of life.”

49. Brenna Gladding, Occupational Therapy

In a grayscale hallway, two people embrace with hands on each other’s heads, text reads “Into the minds of each other.”

50. Bonnie Abadeer, Biology

A tiny insect rests on fuzzy white and pink flowers beneath purple text content that says: “Small; not insignificant. Life deserves respect.”

51. Calvin Dampf, Clinical Exercise Physiology

A hospital monitor display beside the text “Opportunities That I Never Thought Possible,” with a patient wearing a device on their head in the background.

52. Meagan Rockafellow, Physician Assistant Studies

A monitor displays rhythm traces on a laptop and paper, with calipers and a pen; “I prepare so my patients live” conveys dedication.

53. Jamie Mamerow, School Psychology Online

A scrapbook-style photo shows six children on a boat, arms outstretched toward the sea. Message below the image reads “Open yourself up to new perspectives.”

54. Madelyn Hauer, Occupational Therapy

A smiling young woman gazes nose-to-nose at a small child with developmental disabilities on a gray sofa beneath the quote, “Each new day, endless new possibilities.

55. Olivia Deter, Medical Dosimetry

A sunlit, inviting library with bookshelves, tables, a laptop, and medical scans; text reads, “Learning anywhere, advancing cancer treatment everywhere.”

56. Elise Bass, Biology

A wooden dock reaches into a still body of water, mirroring a vivid sunset and tree-lined shore. The message reads: Inspiring surroundings. Strong community. Driftless dream.”

57. Lane Hansen, Biology

Golden sunrise lights a wildflower prairie framed by trees, with the words “Look closer; prairies hold hidden worlds.”

58. Shreyosi Mukherjee, Biology

Fluorescence microscopy shows elongated cells glowing red and green, with bright blue nuclei against black. Text reads, “Light up my world like fluorophores.”

59. Anna Tweeden, School Psychology

A wetland landscape with bluffs in the distance; text reads, “Rooted in place, growing student potential.”

60. Bethany McAnally, Physical Education Teaching

Black-and-white photo of two people on a rocky lakeshore beneath clouds; text reads, “Do it scared, make tomorrow better.”

61. Ellie Koeniguer, Physical Therapy

A person stands on a rain-wet rooftop parking deck beneath a vivid rainbow, with sunset light reflecting on the pavement and text reading, “A beautiful community begins with you.”

62. Elise Moon, Physical Therapy

Two hikers sit on a rocky overlook above a sunlit valley, with the words “The people make the place home.”

63. Naomi Meek, Physical Therapy

Two young women stand next to each other on a rooftop overlooking a set of buildings at sunset; the words “Friends became family, school became home.”

64. Stephanie Peitersen, Medical Dosimetry

A patient in blue scrubs rests under a blanket, wearing a colorful character mask amid playful clouds and the hopeful message, “Imagination takes healing to new levels.”

65. Araya Rock, Physical Therapy

A leashed dog follows a sunlit dirt path through wildflowers at sunset; inspirational lettering reads, “Dare to be different, be limitless.”

66. Samantha Ashlin Deane, Reading MSED

A smiling child in a striped green shirt walks along a school campus path beneath “Literacy for all. That’s the post.”

67. Jayden Behrendt, Nurse Anesthesia

A new mother and father cuddle their newborn in a hospital bed beneath the bold message, “Do it for the next generation."