Shandi, a resident of Florissant, Missouri, is a 25-year-old honors graduate of Lindenwood University with a BS in psychology.

She is also employed as a motivational speaker and spends her days traveling across the state of Missouri, encouraging young students to practice inclusion of those that are "different." Shandi works to promote inclusion of individuals with mental challenges, specifically mental retardation and Down syndrome, through mentoring and job placement programs. She has written a children's educational book entitled, "The Furrtails," that has been published. She uses this tool as a visual aid when speaking with students at the elementary level.