I grew up in a family that valued education, service, and community impact. My grandfather, Reverend Kenneth K. Crossman, was a religious leader and civil rights activist whose legacy as “the bridge builder” lives on through stories my father shares. Although I never met him, his commitment to uniting people and driving change continues to inspire me. That same spirit runs through my family— my grandmother lived and was active within the civil rights movement, and my father uplifts others by mentoring and supporting HBCUs. Their examples have shaped who I am and continue to influence the direction I want to take in life. At the start of college, I wasn’t entirely sure which path to pursue—I only knew I wanted to help people. I began with social sciences and initially tried psychology, but it wasn’t the right fit. It wasn’t until a professor recommended that I take an Intro to Social Work class that everything started to click. Writing a paper on how my values aligned with those of a social worker was a turning point. It helped me realize that the principles of social work—service, social justice, and the dignity of every person—were already deeply ingrained in me. Soon after, I declared social work as my major. As I became more involved in the field, volunteering with organizations such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) helped me discover where my true passion lies: mental health advocacy. Participating in AFSP’s annual suicide prevention walks further exposed me to the stories of loss, hope, and resilience that moved and motivated me. One moment I’ll never forget was meeting a mother who shared the story of her late son. By telling his story, she invited others into her healing process—and that interaction reaffirmed my desire to be part of that kind of meaningful, life-affirming work. As I look to the future, my goal is to make a meaningful impact in the communities I serve, especially around mental health awareness and support. I plan to continue volunteering with AFSP where I have received invaluable experiences and shown me the real-life impact of compassion, advocacy, and simply showing up for others. I aim to graduate with my bachelor’s degree in May 2027, then pursue my master’s in social work and earn my clinical license. With this education and training, I hope to work in direct practice, helping individuals through personal and systemic challenges. I’m particularly passionate about making mental health care more accessible and reducing the stigma that prevents so many from seeking help. I want to create safe spaces where people feel heard and supported. Social work is often called “the helping profession,” and that’s exactly what I want to do: help. But more than that, I want to drive change, promote healing, and use my education as a tool to build bridges—just like my grandfather once did. My long-term vision is to continue growing as a professional while staying grounded in service, compassion, and community.

My passion for mental health advocacy began to take shape through hands-on experiences with organizations that directly serve vulnerable populations. Volunteering with the Mental Health Association of Central Florida (MHACF) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) allowed me to witness the profound impact that mental health services and advocacy can have on individuals and communities. These experiences helped me discover where my true calling lies. The MHACF is a nonprofit mental health clinic that provides essential services to the uninsured—a lifeline in a community where access to mental health care is often limited or nonexistent. During my time volunteering there, I learned how social work agencies function within specific communities to address urgent needs and drive meaningful change. Whether I was assisting with outreach events, supporting client services, or helping with awareness campaigns, I saw firsthand how committed organizations can fill critical gaps in the mental health system. It was through these interactions that I gained a deeper understanding of the emotional challenges many people face and the importance of accessible, community-based support. My involvement with the AFSP brought a different, equally powerful perspective. Participating in their annual suicide prevention walks exposed me to stories of loss, resilience, and hope. I’ll never forget one encounter in particular: I met a mother who shared the story of her late son. By opening up about her grief and healing process, she not only honored his memory but also created space for others to feel seen in their own experiences. That moment reaffirmed my desire to be part of this kind of life-affirming work—work that encourages vulnerability, healing, and connection. These experiences have deeply influenced both my personal values and professional goals. As I look ahead, I’m committed to continuing my involvement with MHACF and AFSP. These organizations have shown me the real-life impact of compassion, advocacy, and simply showing up for others. I believe mental health is just as important as physical health, and I want to be part of the effort to shift societal perceptions and reduce stigma. I plan to graduate with my bachelor’s degree in May 2027 and pursue a master’s degree in social work, followed by clinical licensure. With this education and training, I aim to work in direct practice—helping individuals navigate personal and systemic challenges. I’m especially passionate about increasing access to care and creating environments where people feel safe, heard, and supported. Mental health matters to me because I’ve seen its impact in real lives—in stories of struggle, strength, and healing. It’s not just a field of study or career path; it’s a calling rooted in empathy, advocacy, and the belief that everyone deserves to be well.

My name is Ava Crossman, and I am a rising junior at Southeastern University, majoring in Social Sciences and Social Work. My journey into the mental health field began long before I declared my major. I have always had a deep-rooted passion for helping people. One of my first experiences in this field was with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Each year, they host a suicide prevention awareness walk in my community. I remember participating for the first time several years ago. It was there that I truly understood the power of community support. During the walk, I met a woman who had set up a tent in memory of her son. She was eager to share his story and spread a message of hope. Listening to her, I felt honored to be part of her healing process. It taught me that discussing painful experiences can lead to healing and growth. This encounter solidified my belief in the importance of mental health awareness and support. This summer, I interned at the Mental Health Association of Central Florida. I was part of their phone bank with WESH-TV and volunteered at the Legacy of Champions Luncheon, where Ashley Judd was the guest speaker. The association emphasizes that "it is ok to not be ok." This message is crucial because seeking help for mental health is not always encouraged. This internship has been a blessing, allowing me to gain real-world experience in my major and give back to the community. Social work is known as the "helping profession." I would not have known about this field if I had not gone to college. My goal is to earn my bachelor’s degree in 2027 and then pursue a master’s degree in social work. I believe that more education will provide me with more opportunities to give back to the community. My experiences with mental health have deeply influenced my beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations. I have learned that empathy and understanding are essential in supporting others. I strive to build relationships based on these values, knowing that they can make a significant difference in someone's life. In my future career, I hope to make a positive impact by advocating for mental health awareness and providing support to those in need. I want to create safe spaces where people feel comfortable sharing their stories and seeking help. My passion for helping others drives me to pursue a career in mental health, where I can contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities. Through my education and experiences, I am committed to making a difference in the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply for the Autumn Davis Memorial Scholarship, which will help me continue my journey in the mental health field. I am determined to use my knowledge and skills to bring hope and healing to those who need it most.

I currently have a dog named Pepper. She is a 5 year old Great Dane. My family got her for me so I could get over my fear of dogs. It's pretty ironic right? Someone who is scared of dogs gets one of the biggest dog breeds in the world. Surprisingly, it actually worked. I went to see Pepper every Saturday from when she was 2 weeks to 8 weeks old. When I first met her she was so small, she couldn’t move much. Since she was so small, I wasn’t scared of her. Every time I saw her, she got a little bigger. I got more comfortable with her size as she grew up. Now, Pepper is the biggest dog in my neighborhood. She got me over my fear, and now I love dogs. Pepper has a very strong connection to my mom. I think it started when me and my sister would go to school and my mom would be home alone with Pepper. We call Pepper “mom’s shadow” because she is never too far behind my mom. When Pepper started growing, she didn’t understand her own size. My mom and I took Pepper to a field. She started running and couldn’t slow herself down to stop. She ended up bumping into my mom and causing her to tear her ACL. Pepper definitely seemed apologetic since she would watch over my mom when she was healing. She became even more close to my mom after that incident. Pepper has also been a sort of therapy dog for my family. My mom has had a lot of health issues in the past couple years. It always helps to come home and hug Pepper. She can understand when you are upset and she always comes to help you. She also helps with my anxiety. During COVID when we were quarantined, I had a hard time with anxiety. Pepper got me out of my house and got me to move. I would take a break from looking at screens and take her for a run which was very beneficial for the both of us. Pepper is starting to get a lot more white hair on her face. It has caused me to think about how life was before we got her. Before we got Pepper I was afraid to get near dogs in my neighborhood. I didn’t like going out during PE in case I crossed paths with a dog. Now I'm not afraid anymore. Pepper has brought more joy and laughter into my life. Pepper is a part of my family.