33 Forever offering scholarships to graduating seniors

Special to the News Journal
·2 min read

The Mansfield-based mental health nonprofit 33 Forever Inc. will again award scholarships in the spring of 2023 for post-high school education to graduating seniors in Richland County.

This scholarship, named “The 33 Forever Scholarship In Honor of Danielle Leedy," is a one-time award of $1,333 to one Lexington High School, one Ontario High School and two other Richland County high school seniors who intend to pursue education after high school.

33 Forever also funds a scholarship in Pickaway County and hopes to continue to expand its scholarship program in the future as funding permits.

33 Forever is offering a scholarship in honor of Danielle Leedy.
33 Forever is offering a scholarship in honor of Danielle Leedy.

The scholarship will be awarded based on the following criteria and not on financial need. To qualify:

  • The applicant must have a minimum high school grade point average of 2.0.

  • The applicant must be attending a two- or four-year degree-granting accredited institution the next school year, seeking a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.

  • The applicant must provide a written essay or short video describing either an obstacle the applicant has overcome, or ways in which the applicant has had to demonstrate resilience, or how a mental health issue/challenge has affected someone the applicant knows.

It should also describe how the above has impacted the applicant and the applicant’s future or how they live their life as a result or why they are the person they are. It should also describe the applicant’s goals or aspirations, both short and long term.

The applicant must further demonstrate and describe his or her involvement in a community service project or program or some other activity supporting others in the community.

Applicants must provide lists of activities

Finally, the applicant must provide a listing/description of the applicant’s high school, community and/or work activities during high school.

Further details/requirements can be obtained by contacting the high school guidance counselors at the respective schools or on the 33 Forever website at 33forever.life/scholarship.

Applications must be received by 33 Forever on or before 5 p.m. April 15 by mail or hand delivery to 33 Forever, Inc., 1 Marion Ave., Suite 215, Mansfield, OH 44903 or by email to jheck@33forever.life. Late applications will not be considered.

The scholarship recipients will be selected by the 33 Forever Inc. board of directors (or an appointed committee of the board) and will be announced at the spring senior awards day at the recipient’s school.

33 Forever, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by the family and friends of Danielle Leedy, a vibrant, strong, professional young woman who lost a long battle to chronic depression in February 2019. It was created to honor Danielle’s life and her longtime passion to raise awareness, empower and comfort those struggling with the disease of depression, anxiety and finding self-worth, including suicidal thoughts.

For more information, visit 33forever.life or the 33 Forever Facebook or Instagram pages.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: 33 Forever offers scholarships to seniors at Lexington, Ontario, county