First off, I want to thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. My story starts on New Year’s Day, 2013 when I lost my stepdad, Peter Linnerooth to suicide. Pete married my mom in 2010, but he had known her since my twin brother and I were babies, back in 2000. Pete was a psychologist in the Army. He cared for many individuals during his time and soon began experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from his experiences. My half-brother was born in September of 2012, shortly before Pete completed suicide. While we were overcome with joy to have a new addition to our family, it was soon followed by a devastating loss. The years following Pete’s death were the hardest. My mom struggled with a substance use addiction to alcohol and my twin brother and I cared for our younger brother during those times. Since the loss of Pete, I have learned the importance of suicide awareness and awareness to survivors of loss. I have been attending the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), and plan to graduate with my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work this May of 2023. During my time at UNR, I have taken classes in painting and Sign Language, two passions of mine. I have participated in art festivals, such as the Reno Chalk Art Festival, which happens every July in Reno, Nevada. I have also been more involved with the Deaf Community, by attending social events and meeting Deaf people in my area. During my breaks from school, I enjoy the outdoors, such as hiking, going to the lake, and skiing. While completing my senior year, I have been working for the Crisis Support Services of Nevada, where I take calls for the suicide prevention hotline and substance use hotline. I hold Pete and my mom close to my heart when taking my calls and use my current Social Work knowledge to help everyone who reaches me. I have been accepted to the University of Nevada, Reno graduate school, where I plan to get my Master’s degree in Social Work. My goal is to work for the Veteran’s Administration, so I can help veterans navigate their own PTSD and get them connected with the resources they need. A scholarship would help me better take care of my school finances, so I can continue to work harder in school and eventually help serve my community.

First off, I thank you for the support you give to others who have had common experiences with PTSD and I thank you for your consideration. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a term I heard growing up, but never thought much of it until it impacted my own life. I grew up in a complicated home. My mom and dad separated at a young age because of my mom’s substance use addiction with alcohol. My twin brother and I spent most of our time living with our mother, who regularly drank. We were frequently left in harm’s way, as she would go missing, wandering the streets of downtown Reno, Nevada, get physically violent with us, resulting in the cops being called and visits from Child Protective Services (CPS). In 2010, my brother and I thought we had finally reached a light at the end of the tunnel. Our mom started dating a man, by the name of Peter Linnerooth, a veteran who was a psychologist in the army. They got married and my mom was soon pregnant with my half-brother. Unfortunately, Pete had demons of his own, suffering from his own PTSD from his time in the military. My half-brother was born in September of 2012, and Pete completed suicide shortly after on New Year’s Day. Our family fell apart after losing him. My mom continued drinking again and we had more police and CPS involvement. Now, in 2023, my twin brother and I are 22. We had moved out a few years ago to be on our own, but moved back in with our mom to help care for our half-brother when our mom relapses, who has no other parent besides his mom. At only 10, our half-brother has witnessed our mom in conditions I would not wish a 10 year old to see. He regularly cannot sleep and throws up during times when our mom is relapsing. I too, struggle to sleep and frequently wake up with nightmares from previous episodes I have experienced in my life. My siblings and I have been suffering with our own PTSD. Despite my experiences, I have been in college, studying to obtain my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. I graduate this May from the University of Nevada, Reno. This semester I have been interning with the Crisis Support Services of Nevada, where I take calls for the suicide prevention hotline and substance use hotline. I hold Pete and my mom close to my heart when taking my calls and use my current Social Work knowledge to help everyone who reaches me. I have been accepted to the University of Nevada, Reno graduate school, where my plan is to get my Master’s degree in Social Work. My goal is to work for the Veteran’s Administration, so I can help veterans navigate their own PTSD and get them connected with the resources they need. A scholarship would help me better take care of my school finances, so I can continue to support myself and my family as well.