Scholarship for Student Perseverance

$1,000
1 winner$1,000
Awarded
Next Application Deadline
Apr 15, 2022
Next Winners Announced
May 15, 2022
Education Level
High School, Undergraduate
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior or undergraduate
State:
Massachusetts
Background:
Dealing with/overcame mental health challenges
Education Level:
State:
Background:
High school senior or undergraduate
Massachusetts
Dealing with/overcame mental health challenges

When in a dark place, having a support system can be the difference between hardship and healing. 

The more we learn about mental health, the more we are able to be there for others who are in a challenging place. In order to encourage students with mental health struggles to seek out a support system, the Scholarship for Student Perseverance is giving to a high school senior or undergraduate student from Massachusetts who has used support in order to work through mental health challenges. 

Students who are dealing with or have overcome mental health difficulties are eligible to apply if they are high school seniors or undergraduate students from Massachusetts. To apply, write about how your support system has helped you in your journey dealing with mental health and how you plan to use what you’ve learned through these experiences to give back to others.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published December 16, 2021
$1,000
1 winner$1,000
Awarded
Next Application Deadline
Apr 15, 2022
Next Winners Announced
May 15, 2022
Education Level
High School, Undergraduate
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Essay Topic

How has your support system helped you overcome challenges with your mental health? How do you plan on using what you've learned through that support to give back in the future?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Tara Shirname
University of Massachusetts-AmherstWaltham, MA
COVID-19 impacted my mental health intensely. While this may have been a common issue, it was certainly a large life-changing obstacle for me to overcome. Housing disruptions had taken a significant toll on my mental and emotional health as well as my family's. Public areas being closed made it tough to complete my work timely in my home. I furthermore lacked access to quiet and productive study space, spending 3 out of 4 of my high school years without having my own space to work or sleep in. Being confined into my small apartment affected my motivation, energy, and health. My grandfather's health was at risk during COVID-19, keeping all my family members working from home and away from social interactions. I obtained new obligations to care for grandfather, who was also in the process of getting American Citizenship in which I helped him prepare for the tests and transport him to the necessary locations. My significant stressors came from family conflicts, complex citizenship changes, and challenging financial situations. For months I was working with my doctor to find a suitable medication that could better my health. That itself was a struggle, between trying new medications and not being able to be physically evaluated in person. Luckily, after utilizing all my resources, a temporary hospitalization, and attending alternative forms of therapy, I have not only found the right medications but effective coping mechanisms for me. I still had to work hard to advocate for my own recovery when admitting myself into psychiatric care facilities. I'm proud to say that I have overcome the struggle and have resumed my accomplishments at school. After getting vaccinated, I've taken up multiple jobs to support my family by taking care of all of my expenses as well as contributing to some household bills. I like the prompt since it highlights subjects that I find intriguing. I noticed a sharp increase in teenage drug use during the pandemic, especially when receiving inpatient group care. I think that it is especially hard for teenagers to find recovery because many parents don't understand the real impact of addiction. That it is a physical/psychological dependency, and not a mindset or "anti-sobriety" value. I had known the impact of my mother's history with smoking but seeing the impact that drugs and addiction had on people my age was something else. Out of curiosity, I attended more workshops around the matter. I took up an interest in addiction therapy and its impact on the brain. My school's social worker played a big role in my recovery by guiding me to the resources I needed and listening to me during the times when getting a therapist was not affordable. I am forever grateful for her help as she has inspired me and become a role model for my future. I hope to pay it forward by taking up psychology and possibly social work if my college allows. I am selecting Psychology as my stepping stone because I'm deeply curious about the human mind and its functions. A firm background in Psychology would train me to be a smart Social Worker. I want to learn to better help others, which is what motivates and fulfills me. I see myself using my education to benefit other individuals in our community.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Apr 15, 2022. Winners will be announced on May 15, 2022.

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