LoginJoin Bold.org
For DonorsFor Applicants
LoginJoin Bold.org
Get in touch
Donor Inquiries
donors@bold.org
Award Inquiries
awards@bold.org
Student Inquiries
contact@bold.org
Join 300k+ followers across
Donors
How It WorksBold FoundationDonor FAQTerms & ConditionsDonor Help Center
Applicants
Scholarship RulesScholarship BlogWinnersStudent Help Center
Get the app
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Scholarship Categories
Graduate School ScholarshipsNo-Essay ScholarshipsScholarships for Nursing StudentsMerit-Based ScholarshipsHigh School ScholarshipsScholarships for WomenScholarships for Black StudentsScholarships for High School SeniorsUndergraduate ScholarshipsExplore More Scholarship Categories
Company
About UsContact UsCareersPress CenterPartnershipsReviews
©2026 All Rights Reserved. Bold.org, Inc.
Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyDo Not Sell My Personal Information

Peyton Heart Project Scholarship in Memory of Cary Patten

Funded by
user profile avatar
The Peyton Heart Project
$2,000
1 winner$2,000
Awarded
Application Deadline
Apr 1, 2026
Winners Announced
Apr 30, 2026
Education Level
High School
Share
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior
Location:
Lake County, Sumter County, or Marion County, Florida
Education Level:
Location:
High school senior
Lake County, Sumter County, or Marion County, Florida

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 Lake County, Sumter County, or Marion 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.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Impact
Scholarships for High School SeniorsHigh School ScholarshipsFlorida ScholarshipsMental Health ScholarshipsNeed-Based ScholarshipsEssay ScholarshipsMemorial ScholarshipsAmerican Scholarships
Published August 13, 2025
$2,000
1 winner$2,000
Awarded
Application Deadline
Apr 1, 2026
Winners Announced
Apr 30, 2026
Education Level
High School
Share
Essay Topic

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. What have you learned about mental health during your high school years and how will you apply it in the years to come? 


2. What can we do as a society to end the stigma surrounding mental health? 


3. What will you do in college to raise awareness for mental health?

400–600 words

Winners and Finalists

April 2026

Winners
Sidney Brooks
Villages Charter School
Fruitland Park, FL

Winning Application

Sidney Brooks
Villages Charter SchoolFruitland Park, FL
First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone involved in the creation and decision process of this scholarship for all of your time and dedication to helping the younger generation. Your impact stretches vastly throughout society, and your consideration goes far from unnoticed. Lastly, thank you to Cary Patten for showing true love and exemplifying the meaning of family. His legacy will carry on, and his mission to show compassion will forever live. I have carried a Peyton Heart on my backpack for the entirety of the school year, and first discovered the project whilst getting a drink from my local Starbucks. After reading and exploring the meaning behind the hearts, I was inspired to carry it with me and contribute to the spread of the story. My school is one of extreme privilege; it has provided me with endless opportunities to both enjoy my teenage years and prepare for the future. Through my Health Sciences academy at The Villages High School, I have achieved certifications such as Patient Care Technician, Medical Assistant, and soon-to-be Nurse Assistant to eventually aid in my pursuit to become a nurse midwife. Throughout my thirteen years attending my school, I have come to notice that the students are very alert and pick up quickly on things. I watched the Peyton Hearts spread around the school, as everyone soon came to recognize Cary's story. Like Cary, I have a sister that I am blessed to call my best friend and choose to help my parents as much as possible. The thought of anything happening to her or any of my other loved ones sickens me and drives my passion for spreading mental health awareness. I will be attending The University of Central Florida in the fall of 2026 to study a major in nursing and a minor in music. I am extremely excited to declare that I am on track to further my education at their College of Nursing after finishing my prerequisites. The ultimate goal is to train a specialty at a Florida hospital, where I will become either a labor and delivery nurse, or a nurse midwife. Being exposed to the healthcare field, you see things that inevitably humble you. Treating patients of all types of diagnosis constantly reminds you that anything can happen to anyone, and that it is so crucial to spend time intentionally with those around you. My part-time job as a server in a retirement home also cautions the endless aging symptoms. If one is blessed with the opportunity to grow old, it will come with cognitive or physical setbacks. Connecting with residents is bittersweet, as I've navigated grief and joy all in the same building. I have been allowed the experience of learning from those wiser than me, while still offering my physical ability at the same time. Life is never promised, and how many days we have left cannot be previewed. All of my experiences in the retirement home setting and my love for others has taught me to treasure those around me and to prioritize mental health. Throughout high school, I have witnessed friends undergo depression and isolation, and have separated myself from others due to emotions as well. Because of it, I have learned to value time. Even if we do not move forward, time will. Therefore, we might as well use it thoughtfully and to benefit the experiences of all. It's everyone's first time living life, so it's crucial to remain patient, kind, and selfless. In the future, I will be aware of others' emotions, signs, and actions to raise mental health awareness.

Explore All Kinds of Scholarships for All Kinds of Students

Graduate School ScholarshipsNo-Essay ScholarshipsScholarships for Nursing StudentsMerit-Based ScholarshipsHigh School ScholarshipsScholarships for WomenScholarships for Black StudentsScholarships for High School SeniorsUndergraduate ScholarshipsView all

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Apr 1, 2026. Winners will be announced on Apr 30, 2026.

How will scholarship application information be used?

Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.

What is the scholarship award?

Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.

When will the scholarship winner be chosen? How will they be notified?

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.

How will the scholarship award be paid?

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.

How will my scholarship application be verified?

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.

How should I get in touch with questions?

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.

Does the scholarship have terms and conditions?

Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.

97% of students don't win scholarships. We’re here to change that.
Start Winning
$43,051,294
LIVE
Awarded to Bold.org Members
user profile avatar
Jermayolis Brito
Won $2,500 scholarship
41m ago
Claremont International High School Scholarship