23-04-2025
Neosho High student honored with state award for disability advocacy
NEOSHO, Mo. — Neosho High School has a state award winner.
Senior Arabel Standingbear has been named the 2024 Youth Leadership Award winner by the GCD. It stands for 'Governor's Council on Disability.'
Standingbear deals with HAE—a rare genetic condition, characterized by recurrent episodes of severe swelling.
She's worked with state senators and representatives to advance legislation supporting individuals with disabilities, including a childcare bill aimed at providing critical resources for families.
'I'm really happy that I got this opportunity, because in, like, just doing that gives me enough, like, it gives me the ability to advocate on another level. Because of that awareness, I get to use that to keep advocating, to keep talking about it—and on a—like, in a louder way,' said Standingbear.
Standingbear is active in numerous clubs and activities both in and outside of school—and also runs a small art business with her mother, who also lives with HAE.
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