Peyton Heart Project Scholarship in Memory of Cary Patten
The Peyton Heart Project mission is to raise global awareness about suicide, bullying, and to end the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Cary was truly one of a kind, a best friend to his sister and a reliable support for his parents whenever they needed help. Deeply caring, he loved animals and excelled as an electrical engineer. However everything changed when his sister was murdered. Struggling to express his overwhelming feelings of pain and despair, Cary chose to keep it all inside, fearing that revealing his emotions would only add to his parents' suffering. Tragically, unable to cope with the burden, Cary took his own life.
This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Cary Patten by raising awareness for mental health and the importance of seeking help.
Any high school senior in Sumter County, Florida, may apply for this scholarship opportunity.
To apply, tell us about yourself, your school, and your goals, and respond to one of the three prompts below.
Write a short essay including an introduction about you (who you are, where you attended high school, where you plan to attend college, and your intended field of study) and answer ONE of the following questions:
1. The Peyton Heart Project uses small handmade hearts left in public places to remind people that their lives matter, and that there is still good in the world. Describe a time when a seemingly small act of kindness— either given, received, or witnessed—had a profound impact on your mental well-being or that of someone you know . How do you plan to use small, intentional actions, to foster a more compassionate community during your college years?
2. Many advocates are driven by personal experiences—whether navigating their own mental health journeys, supporting a friend through a dark time, or standing up against bullying. Please share your personal connection to these issues. How has this shaped your character, your choice of study, or your vision for how you want to advocate for others in the future?
3. Why is it important to treat mental health with the same seriousness as physical health? Please provide examples from your experiences or observations.
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Winners and Finalists
April 2026
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FAQ
The application deadline is Apr 1, 2026. Winners will be announced on Apr 30, 2026.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Apr 30, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.
