Quinn Foley

Dear Scholarship Committee, Wow. I am incredibly grateful to be awarded this generous scholarship. But, before I get into talking about myself and what this award means to me, I would like to share my experience in learning about Peyton. I never have or never will meet Peyton. This is a sad truth, however, I feel like I have gotten to know him through the memory he left behind: his heart, his resilience, and his love for education. Peyton was truly one of a kind, and I am incredibly humbled to honor his legacy through this scholarship. Reading his story brought me to tears. He was just a young child hurting for being different, and that pain led him to believe his life should end. This teary-eyed realization broke my heart and inspired me to help others like him, and keep his memory alive by remembering him in my future pursuits, especially with the many mental health challenges that accompany physical health problems in my future career in trauma medicine. I plan to attend UT Austin next year, studying Health and Society on a pre-med track. While I could‘ve majored in Chemistry or Biology, I chose to major in this because it takes a unique approach to medicine and focuses on giving meaning to human interaction, our interconnectedness. This also brings a more holistic approach, one that focuses on things like mental health, socioeconomic status, and the actual experiences of populations, not just their genetic makeup. All factors of a person should be considered in medicine, not just science. This opportunity is possible for me because of the Peyton Heart Project, and I am honored that I can do these things and carry forth these pursuits in Peyton’s name. Education is truly dear to me, and to have someone else invest in me and my future is more meaningful than I can put into words. But I would like to thank the committee again, and thank you for putting your trust in me to inspire change. As UT Austin says, “What starts here changes the world.” Due to your support, I will change the world, starting with changing the stigma around mental health. With heartfelt gratitude, Quinn Foley