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Bold Speak Your Mind Scholarship

Funded by
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Bold.org
$500
1 winner$500
Awarded
Application Deadline
May 29, 2022
Winners Announced
Jun 29, 2022
Education Level
Any

It can be difficult to always speak your mind and stay true to yourself, especially when you’re surrounded by others who disagree with you.

Standing up for yourself and being honest about your thoughts and opinions is an important part of being true to yourself.

This scholarship aims to support bold students who speak their minds and live honestly.   

Any student may apply for this scholarship opportunity. To apply, tell us how you make sure to always speak your mind.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Graduate School ScholarshipsHigh School ScholarshipsUndergraduate ScholarshipsEssay Scholarships
Published February 28, 2022
Essay Topic

Please tell us how you stay committed to speaking your mind.

150–300 words

Winners and Finalists

Winning Application

Mary Cope
Western Carolina UniversitySylva, NC
My voice uncontrollably shook as I came out as queer to my mom on September 27th, 2018. I was terrified. Despite every adverse scenario that my anxious brain could conjure up or the fear of rejection from the person I cared about most, I could no longer remain closeted and resigned myself to living life on the sidelines. I had to live my truth. It is unbelievably hard to speak your mind and stand up for what is right. It is easier to look the other way and ignore it or avoid the potential dangers of a situation. However, as illustrious Maggie Kuhn has advised, “speak the truth, even if your voice shakes,“ staying true to your core values and standing up for what you believe in or supporting others is the most courageous thing. In the cases of Black, indigenous people of color, religious minorities, LGBTQ+ folks, and other marginalized communities, they often do not have the option to turn the other way in the face of prejudice and discrimination; they have to encounter this daily. In staying true to themselves and their morals, many individuals of these communities mentioned above do incredible work to up cultures of discrimination and prejudice. As I have experienced discrimination in the workplace and public social spheres as a queer individual, I have not been able to avoid being able to speak my truth. In my heart, I know what is right, I know who I am, and I possess a solid moral compass, so knowing myself and staying true to who I am empower me to speak out for what is suitable for myself and on behalf of others. And though often my voice may shake, I will never cease to work towards a better future for all.
Alveena Rehman
William P Clements High SchoolSugar Land, TX
Being honest with myself and my morals helps me to speak my mind on all kinds of issues. I need to understand where I stand on many different issues, such as racial, religious and cultural discrimination, family dynamics, school reforms and my future. If I don’t accept how much I will stand up to people to fight for human rights, and my right to live life how I feel would benefit me the most in the long run, then it would be quite difficult for me to actually speak out against so much hate and injustice. First-hand experience of racism, islamophobia, and xenophobia have made me more perceptible when it comes to fighting issues like racial discrimination and police brutality, as I speak out against the injustice of such deep-rooted issues, regardless of what others say. Knowing myself also means knowing my morals. I can’t speak my mind on something that I don’t have a moral capacity for, so I educate myself on developing such morals. This way, I can empathize with other minorities who face discrimination, as I genuinely want to make changes in their lives for the better, instead of the opposite. In my personal life, I also learn to speak my mind, especially when it comes to my future. I want to be in control of it, whether it’s the right college, the right major, or the right job. It is my life that I am living, and I deserve to live how I feel it would benefit me the most. Without morals and a place of standing, speaking my mind would never be possible. If I don’t know who and what I’m fighting for, then no determination to help those who need it, myself and everyone else.

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FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is May 29, 2022. Winners will be announced on Jun 29, 2022.