Who Can Apply:
- The Peyton Heart Project mission is to raise global awareness about suicide, bullying, and to end the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
- Cary was truly one of a kind, a best friend to his sister and a reliable support for his parents whenever they needed help. Deeply caring, he loved animals and excelled as an electrical engineer. However everything changed when his sister was murdered. Struggling to express his overwhelming feelings of pain and despair, Cary chose to keep it all inside, fearing that revealing his emotions would only add to his parents’ suffering. Tragically, unable to cope with the burden, Cary took his own life.
- This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Cary Patten by raising awareness for mental health and the importance of seeking help.
- Any high school senior in Sumter County, Florida, may apply for this scholarship opportunity.
Submission: Write a short essay including an introduction about you (who you are, where you attended high school, where you plan to attend college, and your intended field of study) and answer ONE of the following questions:
1. The Peyton Heart Project uses small handmade hearts left in public places to remind people that their lives matter, and that there is still good in the world. Describe a time when a seemingly small act of kindness— either given, received, or witnessed—had a profound impact on your mental well-being or that of someone you know . How do you plan to use small, intentional actions, to foster a more compassionate community during your college years?
2. Many advocates are driven by personal experiences—whether navigating their own mental health journeys, supporting a friend through a dark time, or standing up against bullying. Please share your personal connection to these issues. How has this shaped your character, your choice of study, or your vision for how you want to advocate for others in the future?
3. Why is it important to treat mental health with the same seriousness as physical health? Please provide examples from your experiences or observations.
Deadline: April 17, 2027
Amount: $2,000
Learn More: https://bold.org/scholarships/peyton-heart-project-scholarship-in-memory-of-cary-patten/
