Jake Peterson 3387 West Water Street Riverton, Utah 84065 jakepeterson003@gmail.com 02/27/2025 Dear Scholarship Committee, I am writing to apply for your scholarship program, an opportunity that would significantly support my educational journey and enable me to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. My story has been deeply affected by the loss of my brother Cory, a U.S. Army soldier who tragically took his life in 2023 while still on active duty. This experience has fueled my passion for advocating for mental health awareness, specifically focusing on military service-related PTSD. Cory was not only my brother but also my best friend. We shared a close bond that was rooted in unconditional love and mutual support. His presence in my life brought joy and humor to every situation, and he was always there for me when I needed him. When Cory joined the military, I was incredibly proud of his service, but I also knew that the pressures of military life could take a significant toll. In hindsight, I can see how PTSD affected him—though it often went unspoken. His struggles with isolation and despair, which he kept hidden from those around him, eventually led to his tragic death. At the time of his death, Cory was still an active-duty soldier, and his passing highlighted the critical need for more resources and support for veterans and service members dealing with PTSD. I became acutely aware of how PTSD can silently affect individuals, leading to feelings of hopelessness that may not be visible to those around them. Losing Cory has motivated me to learn more about PTSD, its effects on veterans, and the importance of ensuring that service members have access to mental health resources. I have dedicated myself to pursuing a career that will allow me to help veterans like Cory who are struggling with PTSD. I currently work toward a postgraduate degree in healthcare leadership at Utah Valley University, and my long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner specializing in mental health care. I want to work directly with veterans, helping them navigate the mental health challenges they face and ensuring they have the support they need to heal. In my professional journey, I have learned firsthand about the importance of mental health care, especially within the military community. Through my work at a hospital and my academic studies, I have gained valuable insights into the mental health struggles that often go unnoticed. I am committed to being an advocate for veterans and active-duty service members who are experiencing PTSD, as I understand the profound effect this has on their lives and the lives of their families. This scholarship would help alleviate some of the financial burdens of my education, allowing me to focus more fully on my mission to help others. With this opportunity, I plan to continue my studies and advocacy efforts to ensure that veterans suffering from PTSD have access to the care they deserve. Thank you for considering my application. I am committed to honoring my brother’s memory and ensuring that others like him receive the support and understanding they need. I am eager to contribute to the mission of your organization and help make a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans facing mental health challenges. Sincerely, Jake Peterson 801-635-0114

Jake Peterson 3387 West Water Street Riverton, Utah 84065 jakepeterson003@gmail.com 02/27/2025 Dear Scholarship Committee, I am writing to apply for your scholarship program, which would significantly support my educational journey and empower me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. My path has been shaped by personal loss, resilience, and a deep commitment to advocating for mental health awareness. In 2021, I experienced the heartbreaking loss of my mother due to mental health struggles. Despite the pain of her absence, I focus on cherishing the beautiful memories we shared, and her nurturing spirit continues to inspire me. In 2023, I faced another devastating loss when my little brother, Cory, took his life. Cory was my best friend, and his death left a profound void in my life. As a way of keeping his memory alive, I maintain a close relationship with his son, Levi, and strive to be a positive role model for him, sharing stories about his father and ensuring that he knows how much Cory loved him. Mental health has become an essential focus for me, both personally and professionally. As a student, I recognize the immense pressures that many face, and I believe mental health should be prioritized in academic environments. The struggles I’ve faced in my own life have shown me how important it is to have access to resources and support. I want to advocate for spaces in schools and communities where people feel comfortable discussing their mental health without fear of stigma. I actively advocate for mental health awareness within my community by sharing my experiences and encouraging others to do the same. In my role at a hospital, I engage in conversations with colleagues about mental health, often initiating discussions to challenge the stigma surrounding mental illness. I also volunteer with local organizations that focus on supporting individuals and families struggling with mental health issues, helping to spread awareness and connect people to resources. My academic journey reflects my commitment to mental health advocacy. I hold a bachelor’s degree in emergency services and University Studies, along with a certificate of proficiency in health. I’ve worked in healthcare for five years, which has deepened my understanding of the critical need for mental health support. Currently, I’m pursuing a postgraduate degree in healthcare leadership at Utah Valley University, with the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner focused on mental health care. Receiving this scholarship would alleviate some of the financial burdens of my education, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies and my mission to help others. I am committed to making a meaningful difference in the field of mental health and advocating for a more compassionate society. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Jake Peterson 801-635-0114

Jake Peterson 3387 West Water Street Riverton, Utah 84065 jakepeterson003@gmail.com 02/27/2025 Dear Scholarship Committee, I am writing to apply for your scholarship program, which would significantly support my educational journey and empower me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. My path has been shaped by personal loss, resilience, and a deep commitment to advocating for mental health awareness. In 2021, I experienced the heartbreaking loss of my mother due to mental health struggles. Despite the pain of her absence, I focus on cherishing the beautiful memories we shared, and her nurturing spirit continues to inspire me. In 2023, I faced another devastating loss when my little brother, Cory, took his life. Cory was my best friend, and his death left a profound void in my life. As a way of keeping his memory alive, I maintain a close relationship with his son, Levi, and strive to be a positive role model for him, sharing stories about his father and ensuring that he knows how much Cory loved him. Mental health has become an essential focus for me, both personally and professionally. As a student, I recognize the immense pressures that many face, and I believe mental health should be prioritized in academic environments. The struggles I’ve faced in my own life have shown me how important it is to have access to resources and support. I want to advocate for spaces in schools and communities where people feel comfortable discussing their mental health without fear of stigma. I actively advocate for mental health awareness within my community by sharing my experiences and encouraging others to do the same. In my role at a hospital, I engage in conversations with colleagues about mental health, often initiating discussions to challenge the stigma surrounding mental illness. I also volunteer with local organizations that focus on supporting individuals and families struggling with mental health issues, helping to spread awareness and connect people to resources. My academic journey reflects my commitment to mental health advocacy. I hold a bachelor’s degree in emergency services and University Studies, along with a certificate of proficiency in health. I’ve worked in healthcare for five years, which has deepened my understanding of the critical need for mental health support. Currently, I’m pursuing a postgraduate degree in healthcare leadership at Utah Valley University, with the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner focused on mental health care. Receiving this scholarship would alleviate some of the financial burdens of my education, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies and my mission to help others. I am committed to making a meaningful difference in the field of mental health and advocating for a more compassionate society. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Jake Peterson 801-635-0114

Jake Peterson 3387 West Water Street Riverton, Utah 84065 jakepeterson003@gmail.com 09/27/2024 Dear Scholarship Committee, I am writing to apply for your scholarship program, an opportunity that could significantly support my educational journey and empower me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. My journey has been shaped by profound loss, resilience, and a commitment to advocating for mental health awareness. In September 2021, I experienced the devastating loss of my mother as a result of mental health problems. She was an incredibly sweet and caring individual who filled our lives with love and warmth. Although her absence is a profound sorrow, I strive to remember her positively, cherishing the beautiful memories we shared. Her nurturing spirit has been a guiding light in my life, inspiring me to pursue a career dedicated to helping others. More recently, in 2023, my little brother Cory took his life. He was not only my brother but also my best friend. Cory served in the military and brought humor and joy to everyone around him. He was just a year younger than me, and we shared a close bond that was rooted in unconditional love and support. Losing him has left an unimaginable void in my life, but I carry his memory with me every day. Cory has a son, Levi, who is a bright and precious reminder of my brother. I make it a priority to keep a relationship with him. By fostering this relationship, I hope to keep Cory’s spirit alive and ensure that Levi knows how much his father loved him. I want to be a positive role model in his life, sharing stories about his dad and creating new memories that honor both my brother and my mother. How has my experience with mental health shaped my goals, relationships, and understanding of the world? The loss of both my mother and my brother to mental health struggles has profoundly shaped my outlook on life. It has strengthened my resolve to pursue a career in healthcare, particularly in mental health care. My experiences have deepened my empathy, driving me to support those who are struggling and to advocate for better mental health resources. It has also made me value the importance of relationships and support systems, both in my personal life and in my work. I now see the world through the lens of understanding, compassion, and a commitment to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. These tragedies have made me determined to ensure that others do not feel as alone as my mother and brother may have felt in their struggles. My academic and professional pursuits have been profoundly influenced by these personal tragedies. I hold a bachelor’s degree in emergency services and a bachelor’s degree in University Studies, alongside a certificate of proficiency in health. Additionally, I have worked at a hospital for five years, gaining invaluable experience in the healthcare field. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the importance of mental health and the critical need for accessible resources and support for individuals and families facing similar challenges. Currently, I am working towards a postgraduate degree in healthcare leadership at Utah Valley University. This program will equip me with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and advocate for those in need. My goal is to become a nurse practitioner, focusing on mental health care. I am passionate about helping individuals who struggle with mental health issues, as I know firsthand the impact that support and understanding can have on their lives. Receiving this scholarship would alleviate some of the financial burden associated with my education, allowing me to focus more fully on my studies and my mission to help others. I believe that my unique experiences and dedication to mental health advocacy align closely with the values of your organization. I am determined to contribute to a future where mental health is prioritized, and where individuals feel empowered to seek help without fear of stigma. In conclusion, I want to express my sincere appreciation for considering my application. Your scholarship would not only support my academic endeavors but also enable me to honor my mother and brother by working to create a more compassionate and supportive society. I am committed to making a difference in the field of mental health, and I hope to do so in a way that brings hope and healing to others. Thank you for your time and for the important work your organization does to support students like me. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to the mission of your organization as I pursue my educational and professional goals. Sincerely, Jake Peterson 801-635-0114

Jake Peterson 3387 West Water Street Riverton, Utah 84065 jakepeterson003@gmail.com 02/27/2025 Dear Scholarship Committee, I am writing to apply for your scholarship program, an opportunity that would significantly support my educational journey and empower me to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. My journey has been shaped by profound loss, resilience, and a commitment to advocating for mental health awareness. In September 2021, I lost my mother to mental health challenges. She was a kind and loving woman who filled our lives with warmth. Her death was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. Although her absence is a deep sorrow, I try to honor her memory by cherishing the beautiful moments we shared. Her nurturing spirit has guided me to pursue a career focused on helping others. In 2023, I lost my younger brother, Cory, to suicide. Cory was not only my brother but also my best friend. He served in the military, always bringing joy and humor to those around him. We shared a close bond, and his loss has left an unimaginable void. Yet, as I reflect on our relationship, I find strength in the lessons he taught me about perseverance, laughter, and unconditional support. Cory has a son, Levi, who is a bright and precious reminder of my brother. I prioritize maintaining a relationship with him, sharing stories about his father and building memories that honor both Cory and my mother. In doing so, I continue to heal and ensure Levi knows how much his dad loved him. As a suicide loss survivor, I have faced intense emotional struggles, including guilt, confusion, and profound grief. There were times when the weight of my losses felt unbearable, and I searched for meaning in the midst of my pain. Over time, I learned that healing is not linear, and it’s okay to grieve deeply. I also learned that seeking support is not a weakness but a strength. Embracing vulnerability has been crucial to my healing process, and I have found hope in my journey. These personal tragedies have strengthened my passion for mental health advocacy. I hold a bachelor’s degree in emergency services, a bachelor’s degree in University Studies, and a certificate of proficiency in health. Additionally, I have worked in a hospital for five years, gaining invaluable experience in healthcare. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the importance of mental health and the need for accessible resources and support for individuals and families facing similar challenges. Currently, I am pursuing a postgraduate degree in healthcare leadership at Utah Valley University. This program will equip me with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and advocate for those in need. My ultimate goal is to become a nurse practitioner with a focus on mental health care. I am deeply passionate about helping individuals struggling with mental health issues, as I know firsthand the impact that support and understanding can have on their lives. Thank you for considering my application. Your scholarship would not only support my academic goals but also enable me to honor my mother and brother by creating a more compassionate society. I am determined to make a difference in the field of mental health and bring hope and healing to others. Sincerely, Jake Peterson 801-635-0114