Haywood Reed Jr. Well Being Scholarship

Funded by

Ashanta Gleason

Eligibility Requirements

State:

GPA:

2.5 or higher

Education Level:

Undergraduate, High school junior or senior

State:

GPA:

Education Level:

2.5 or higher

Undergraduate, High school junior or senior

Haywood Reed Jr. lost his life after encountering struggles with his mental health.

Unfortunately, over 47,500 people die due to mental struggles every year in the US, making it the tenth leading cause of death and even the second leading cause of death for those between ages 10 and 34. Due to the remaining social stigma around mental struggles, too many people go without necessary treatment and care, contributing to the high rates in the US.

This scholarship aims to support high school and undergraduate students in Louisiana who are advocates for mental wellness.

Any undergraduate, high school junior, or high school senior in Louisiana who has at least a 2.5 GPA may apply for this scholarship.

To apply, tell us about a healthy habit you’ll adopt to benefit your mental and emotional health and how you’ll make a safe space for others to manage their mental and emotional health.

Selection Criteria:

Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile

Published September 6, 2024

Essay Topic

1) Name one healthy habit you will adopt to manage your mental and emotional health in school. 2) How will you create a safe space for your friends and other students to manage their mental and emotional health?

400–600 words

Winners and Finalists

April 2025

Winners

Kanye Everfield

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

New Orleans, LA

Finalists

Aalyah Anderson

John Ehret High School

Westwego, LA

Breanna Lee

David Thibodaux Stem Magnet Academy

Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy

Marrero, LA

Trinity Walker

David Thibodaux Stem Magnet Academy

Lafayette, LA

Alex Moss

Alfred M. Barbe High School

Lake Charles, LA

Kanyon St. Julien

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Carencro, LA

Lydia Gregory

Ouachita Christian School

Monroe, LA

April 2023

Winners

Jayden Gordon

Texas Southern University

Westwego, LA

Finalists

Jaycee Teague

Springfield High School

Hammond, LA

Clarence Cotton

Warren Easton Charter High School

New Orleans, LA

Molly Caluda

Louisiana State University-Shreveport

Destrehan, LA

Emma Coleman

Pineville High School

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Nicholls State University

Thibodaux, LA

Kristopher Pleasant

Ouachita Parish High School

Monroe, LA

Winning Application

Kanye Everfield

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeNew Orleans, LA

One healthy habit I’m going to adopt in school to manage my mental and emotional health is setting clear boundaries. Coming from New Orleans, where life moves fast and everyone’s always got something going on, I’m used to juggling a lot at once. But I’ve learned that I need to protect my own space and not let the hustle take over. Whether it’s saying no to extra commitments or carving out time just for myself, I’m going to make sure I have room to breathe. In college, it’s easy to get wrapped up in everything—there’s always something happening—but I’ve realized that if I don’t prioritize my own mental health, I’ll end up burned out. Boundaries will help me stay focused on what matters and give me the time I need to recharge, so I can show up as my best self. When it comes to creating a safe space for my friends and other students to manage their mental and emotional health, I think it’s all about bringing that sense of community I grew up with in New Orleans. Down here, we look out for each other, and I want to carry that same energy into my relationships at school. I’ve been through my own ups and downs with mental health, so I know how important it is to have someone who listens without judgment. I plan to be that person for my friends—a safe space where they can vent, cry, or just talk about what’s on their mind without feeling like they’re being judged or brushed off. One thing I’ve learned is that people don’t always need you to fix their problems; they just need to feel heard. So I want to be intentional about checking in on the people around me and making sure they know they don’t have to carry their burdens alone. Whether it’s encouraging someone to take a break when they’re overwhelmed or just being there when they need to talk, I want to create an environment where it’s okay to not be okay. I’ll remind my friends that taking care of their mental health isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of strength. At the end of the day, we’re all in this together. College is stressful, life is stressful, but that doesn’t mean we have to go through it alone. By being there for each other and fostering open, honest conversations about mental health, I hope to create a space where my friends and classmates feel supported.

Jayden Gordon

Texas Southern UniversityWestwego, LA