2023 Jared Monroe Scholarship Winners

Oluwalademi

Oluwalademi is a freshman at Baylor University this fall. Her plan at Baylor is to complete a BS in Biochemistry and then move on to Baylor Medical school. She is interested in becoming a pediatric oncologist to be able to help children.

“A lot of personal growth has taken place through my health challenges. One important lesson for me though all of this is self-management. I have learned to be aware of my own emotions to positively direct my behavior and stay flexible and positive. I also gained a lot of self-confidence and my love for learning remains unshaken.”

Somer

Somer is attending graduate school at Alliant International University. Her goals are to become a psychologist and utilize her personal and professional experiences to help others in her community. She thinks it is important we de-stigmatize mental health conditions and use the strength we have gained in our journeys to help us excel in our education, careers, and personal lives.

 

“I am deeply appreciative of the support from the Jared Monroe foundation.”

Jade

Jade is a Freshmen at St. Petersburg College in Florida. She wants to be an International human rights lawyer. She is planning on transferring to the University of South Florida for her bachelors. Her major will Political Science and minor in Comparative politics and International Relations. She then plans on transferring from USF to Stetson Law School for my J.D and pursue a PhD overseas in Denmark at the University of Roskilde or Copenhagen University for Global Studies and International Law & Justice.

 

“I’m honored to continue the legacy of Jared. I wish we could have met each other; I am glad he had a family that cared so deeply for him. We all take so many things for granted. We are conditioned from youth to believe that we need to always be happy and if we aren’t happy then we are “killing the mood,” but as a wise man I greatly admire once said, “happiness is a direction, not a place.” I want to help people understand that it’s okay to not be okay. Without rain, we wouldn’t have rainbows, and if something as beautiful as the sky cries, it’s okay if something as beautiful as you cries too. Thank you for this incredible honor, I hope I can help make the dream we both envision become a reality.”

Lucia

Lucia is a Freshmen at University of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a Neuroscience major and hoping to attend eventually attend medical school to become a psychiatrist.

 

“Sometimes it is hard because people don’t really truly grasp the struggles people with mental illness face. Winning this scholarship made me feel heard and seen in the greatest way, so I thank you for that”

Lauren

Lauren is a Freshmen at University of Miami with a major of Strategic Communications and Minor in Marketing. Her goal is Hotel and Hospitality Management. She would love to open her own luxury resort hotel and wellness spa.

“I”m proud to have a small part in keeping Jared’s legacy alive. I will continue to advocate to remove the stigma and will make my own mental health a priority. I will live life to the fullest , keep pushing and honor the memory of your son, Jared.”

Victoria

Victoria is a graduate student at University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy

“Throughout my journey in school and in my future career, I promise to advocate for bipolar patients and contribute to the destruction of the stigma around the diagnosis. I’m so excited to work in a clinical setting where I can help patients overcome the hardships of managing long term illnesses. The next 4 years in school will be challenging, but if I keep pushing, I know I can get through it. Jared and your family will always have a special place in my heart as I can relate to his story so very well.”

Grace

Grace a Junior at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to receive this award thank you so much! I believe that sharing my story and being open about mental health is a great step in the right direction towards the bigger conversation surrounding the stigmatization of mental illness.”

Alexa

Alexa is working on her Master at The University of Northern Colorado in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

“My hope for the future is to become an advocate and ally for those with mental health struggles who are often misunderstood and overlooked. I desire to provide care in a way that is genuine, informed, and holistic. I hope to contribute to spreading an understanding of mental health conditions that allows for differences to be used as strengths.”

Natalia

Natalia is a graduate student at Stony Brook University

“The mental health struggles I have faced have been a motivation for me to thrive in my academic journey. My goal as a future occupational therapist is to work in undeserved communities who need Spanish speaking practitioners. I am honored to be a recipient of this year’s scholarship.”

Josh

Josh  is Sophomore at Platt College.

“I can not express how grateful I am to be awarded this scholarship, especially with the story and meaning behind it. I wish I had the chance to meet Jared Monroe, as he sounds like an extraordinary human being. He is someone I can relate to in many ways, and hearing his story has certainly inspired me. It is truly an honor to be awarded this scholarship in tribute to Jared Monroe. From this day on, I will remember Jared and the impact he has left on myself and others who live with Bipolar Disorder.”

Emma

Emma is Junior at Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

“As someone who has experienced brain health struggles throughout my teen years and adult life, I hope to destigmatize psychopathologies like bipolar disorder during my personal and professional life. I have always been involved in STEM, and am currently studying nutritional sciences on a pre-health/research track, with an interest in psychology/neuroscience”