ImpACT Influence & Innovation Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2026
Miss Kansas Scholarship Foundation and ImpACT Consulting Announce the
ImpACT Influence & Innovation Award
New Endowed Scholarship Recognizes Excellence in Personal Branding, Digital Communication, and Social Media Strategy Among Kansas Scholarship Program Candidates
PRATT, Kan. — The Miss Kansas Scholarship Foundation (MKSF) and ImpACT Consulting announced the establishment of the ImpACT Influence & Innovation Award, a new endowed scholarship recognizing Miss Kansas candidates who demonstrate excellence in personal branding, digital communication, and social media strategy in service of a platform-driven mission.
The scholarship was established by Sierra Marie Bonn, founder of ImpACT Consulting, and her mother, Deanna Bonn. Structured as an endowed scholarship through the Miss Kansas Scholarship Foundation, the ImpACT Influence & Innovation Award represents a sustained commitment to investing in the next generation of mission-driven communicators and leaders.
For Sierra, the award is deeply personal. As a former Miss Kansas Organization competitor, she benefited significantly from scholarship support that helped fund both her undergraduate engineering degree and her graduate studies. During her years of competition, she made it her mission to give back, raising thousands of dollars in cash and in-kind scholarship donations for fellow candidates. Even after her competitive years concluded, she continued looking for ways to invest in the program.
"I competed for years knowing that the scholarships I received would change my life, and they did," said Sierra Marie Bonn, Founder of ImpACT Consulting. "During my final years of competition, I made a commitment to raise money that I would never see — scholarship dollars for the candidates who came after me. Even after I stopped competing, I knew I was not done. The ImpACT Influence & Innovation Award is about continuing that work in a way that is permanent, and that is tied to a skill I believe changes everything: the ability to communicate your mission with clarity and confidence in both the digital and physical world."
About the Award
The ImpACT Influence & Innovation Award evaluates candidates across four equally weighted components:
Social Media Portfolio — Candidates submit active social media handles for judge review, along with three original post examples accompanied by written intent captions explaining the strategy behind each piece of content.
Content Strategy Statement — A written statement of up to 300 words outlining the candidate’s platform, target audience, multi-channel promotion strategy, and mission.
Sponsor and Partner Recognition Portfolio — Candidates submit one real or proposed example of sponsor recognition content, along with a 150-word written explanation of their approach.
Application and Judging — Submissions are organized by candidates and evaluated on a 100-point rubric, with each component weighted equally at 25 points. ImpACT Consulting does not participate in the selection process, in accordance with Miss Kansas Scholarship Foundation guidelines.
“We are deeply grateful for the scholarship opportunity that Sierra and Deanna are providing for our delegates for many years to come. We are truly thankful for individuals who continue to support and invest in the initiatives and futures of our delegates,” said Stephanie Harris, Miss Kansas Scholarship Foundation board member.
The ImpACT Influence & Innovation Award will be available to eligible candidates in the 2026 Miss Kansas competition cycle. Additional application details and submission requirements will be distributed through official Miss Kansas Organization channels.
Media Contact
ImpACT Consulting
Sierra Marie Bonn, Founder
316-871-1985
Miss Kansas Scholarship Foundation
Stephanie Harris
About ImpACT Consulting
ImpACT Consulting is a coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping people and projects grow with intention. Founded by Sierra Marie Bonn, Stanford Innovation Fellow and master’s-level practitioner in Innovation Design, ImpACT Consulting offers executive coaching, pageant coaching, workshop facilitation, and individual development services. With a philosophy rooted in design thinking, purposeful strategy, and authentic communication, ImpACT Consulting works with clients across the country to clarify their vision, amplify their impact, and build legacies that matter. Additionally, ImpACT Consulting partners with pageant organizations and titleholders across multiple states, supporting them throughout their year of service and equipping them to lead with purpose far beyond it.
About the Miss Kansas Scholarship Foundation
The Miss Kansas Scholarship Foundation is dedicated to empowering young women across Kansas through scholarship support. The MKSF works to provide educational scholarships that help delegates achieve their academic, career, and community service goals while developing the skills to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
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The ImpACT Influence & Innovation Award can be understood as a Word hurdle recognition of achievements that combine innovative thinking with positive influence.
Congratulations on the ImpACT Influence & Innovation Award - a well-deserved recognition. Great read on how leadership and creativity drive meaningful impact. Orbit Kick
Great read on impact and innovation — the emphasis on bold ideas really stands out. Projects like wave rider 3d show how creativity can push things forward.
What a great piece on turning influence into real impact. While organizing my own notes and ideas, I keep coming back to md to text for quick conversions. Thanks for sharing this perspective.