Brian J Boley Memorial Scholarship

Funded by
Charles Boley
Learn more about the Donor
$500
1 winner$500
Open
Application Deadline
Oct 5, 2023
Winners Announced
Nov 5, 2023
Education Level
High School
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school student
Desired Career Field:
In Mental Health Field
Education Level:
Desired Career Field:
High school student
In Mental Health Field

Brian J Boley was a beloved son who lost his battle with mental illness and the spiral of self medicating addiction at the young age of 21.

Mental illness and addiction are each challenging battles on their own, but they often go hand in hand. Roughly 50% of individuals with severe mental disorders are also affected by substance abuse. To help people through their illnesses or addiction, it’s critical that the next generation of mental health professionals are educated and empowered to help individuals in their battle to overcome their illnesses.

This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Brian by supporting students in financial need who are pursuing a degree in the mental health field.

Any high school student who is planning on pursuing a degree to help those with mental illness or addiction may apply for this scholarship.

To apply, please tell us why you’re pursuing a degree in the mental health field and how you will try to make a difference in the lives of others.


Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published June 8, 2023
$500
1 winner$500
Open
Application Deadline
Oct 5, 2023
Winners Announced
Nov 5, 2023
Education Level
High School
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Essay Topic

Why are you pursuing a degree in the mental health field and how you will try to make a difference in the lives of others?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Markis King
Warren County High SchoolMcMinnville, TN
I have suffered from mental illness for years now. I've been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I also have a family history of mental illness and addiction. My mother suffered from both PTSD and alcohol addiction, and my father also battled an addiction with alcohol, especially after my mother passed away. I've been the target of bullying, from both peers and family members. Despite all the pain I've been forced to suffer through, I plan on studying psychology to become a psychiatrist. I believe it is that suffering that causes me to be interested in becoming a psychiatrist. My mother passed away in September of 2019, and that sent me into a deep depressive episode. I hated myself, and I isolated myself from loved ones. I couldn't focus on anything in school. I'd have frequent breakdowns and panic attacks. I would constantly blame myself for her death. I often felt like I wouldn't be able to function normally ever again. My father started to abuse alcohol as a coping mechanism after my mother passed away. It caused a lot of conflict and turmoil in our family. I got into several arguments and fights with my father over his alcohol abuse. I eventually developed PTSD, in large part due to my father's alcohol addiction. I would have frequent panic attacks whenever I would see him with any alcoholic beverage. I still feel uncomfortable around alcohol to this day. I have thought so many things. I've thought that I was worthless. I've thought that I was a burden to those I loved. I've hated myself. I've thought that the world and those in it would be better off without me. I have been angry. I have been sad. I have been scared. I have been hurt. With all of that being said, I'm still here. I'm happy to still be here. I'm in a much better state of mind than I was years ago. That doesn't mean I don't still have bad days. I sometimes have bad weeks or even months. However, I've learned so much in these past few years. The most important thing I think I've learned is that my life is my own. I decide what to do with my life. I decide what and who I want to be. My mistakes do not define me. My trauma does not define me. I am not perfect, I will never be perfect, and I've made my peace with that. I have learned that I am not responsible for others' misdeeds and that mine do not fully represent me. The thing that I have found the most help in is therapy. I learned to talk to people again. I learned how to love myself. Even if I'm not the best at it sometimes, I can care about myself again. Therapy literally saved my life more than once. If I can be a beacon of hope for even just one person who's in a similar place in life that I was, that would be enough for me. That's why I want to become a psychiatrist. I want to show people that they aren't defined by their negatives alone. I want to show them that they are worthy of life. I want to help them like my therapist helped me.
Tali Rauner
White Plains High SchoolWhite Plains, NY

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Oct 5, 2023. Winners will be announced on Nov 5, 2023.