Congratulations to this year’s high school seniors on winning Herren Projects Student Scholarships! These winners exemplified Herren Project’s mission through leadership in their communities, raising awareness of addiction, and modeling the importance of focusing on overall wellness to prevent substance misuse. We received a historic number of submissions from across the country from many well-deserving applicants. It’s awe-inspiring to see so many students committed to making an impact in their communities!
“What stands out most about Barron is not just the sheer volume of his accomplishments, but the character with which he approaches them. He is a natural leader, a respectful young man, and one of the hardest workers I have ever had the privilege of knowing.”- Brent Adams, Barron’s Principal
Barron
State: Indiana
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: $500
Essay Submission:
I am a member of the Delaware County P.R.I.D.E Team, a group of like-minded high school students who educate the community on the harms of drugs and alcohol on the body. I have been a member of the P.R.I.D.E Team for three years, during which I have traveled all around my county and helped educate thousands of students. Our work begins in the summer with weekly practices, where we learn dances, skits, and speeches that we present at different schools. This is something I truly enjoy because I am able to have fun while also making a positive impact on my community. All of our planning and hard work comes together during Red Ribbon Week. During this time, we take a week off from school and visit nearly every elementary school in the county. While it can be challenging to keep up with missed schoolwork, it is incredibly rewarding. Midway through the week, we participate in a Red Ribbon Breakfast, where we perform in front of parents and important community leaders, including mayors, judges, police officers, and other officials. At this event, the P.R.I.D.E. team is given the voice to communicate with the people who can make a larger difference. As a three-year member and a senior, I have taken on leadership roles within the team. I have helped lead meetings to plan for Red Ribbon Week and collaborated with others to develop new ideas for community outreach. One of the most impactful events I am involved in is “Living Proof,” a crash reenactment that educates high school students and community members about the dangers of substance use. This event is a full-scale production featuring real crashed vehicles, active first responders, and members of the legal system. I help direct this event, and one of my roles is to participate in the reenactment itself. Through this experience, I aim to create a lasting impression and inspire real change in an issue that deeply affects Muncie, Indiana. This work is especially meaningful to me because I have seen the effects of substance abuse firsthand within my own family. I have had a family member nearly lose their life to drugs. Because of this, I am motivated to do everything I can to help others avoid similar situations. Being part of this team is more than performing skits—it involves participating in awareness campaigns, community outreach, and providing drug-free opportunities for students to have fun without the pressure of drugs or alcohol. I know I have made an impact through my interactions with both students and adults. Many adults have thanked me for our efforts and shared their personal experiences. I have also spoken with children who expressed gratitude because they have lost parents to substance abuse. Moments like these reinforce why this work matters. If I am able to
“The strength that I admire the most in Alexis is her ability to grow. I have seen Alexis excel tremendously over the past four years, not only with the content of my class, but more importantly, with her ability as a learner. She is keenly aware of her own strengths and weaknesses and is able to communicate them well with others in order to support her own learning. She doesn’t hesitate to ask questions. The questions she asks demonstrate her ability to recall and make connections with previous knowledge, often advancing beyond our learning objectives. As she enters college and then starts a career, her ability to adapt and grow will help Alexis to excel.”- Teri Mohrmann, Alexis Spanish Teacher
Alexis
State: Nebraska
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: $500
Essay Submission:
As a high-risk juvenile probation officer, my mother began teaching me about the risk of substance use at a young age. It started with your typical parent/child education about substances, setting expectations, and teaching me how to avoid situations with underage drinking and substance use. As I got older, I learned more about the impact substance misuse has on people, their families, and the community. One thing I always admired was the way my mom dedicated herself to helping young people with addiction. She treated them with respect and believed in their ability to change. I observed the "troubled" kids at school making changes because of the relationship they built with my mother. I knew I wanted to be part of the change for others. My freshman year in high school, I joined our school's Stay-U group and pledged to be drug and alcohol free. I was able to teach students about being drug-free, raise awareness about drugs and alcohol, and organize Red Ribbon Week events. We have been able to host school dances and activities that allowed students to participate in fun activities without being tempted to use substances. In my junior year, I joined Junior Mates, where I mentor elementary students. Some of these students live in households with substance use. I've been able to provide consistent support for them and help them learn positive ways to cope with challenges at home. As a senior, I am Student Council President and was inducted into the National Honor Society. These activities enable me to serve as a good role model for the student body. Being a teenager in a small town, I have been invited to parties or situations where I knew substances would be present. I have to make a conscious effort to avoid risky situations. I take pride in being able to ask the right questions, say no, and encourage my peers to do the same. Not everyone has had the same education and support I have, so I feel a strong commitment to providing it to others. I understand the importance of developing healthy coping skills, building strong connections, staying busy with meaningful activities, and asking for help when needed. In addition to helping others avoid substance misuse, I am also committed to helping others understand that just because someone has misused substances, it doesn't mean they are a bad person or that they can't change. I want to empower others to get the support they need and celebrate those who overcome substance abuse. I admire Herren Project's mission and am committed to spreading the message.
“I endorse Loussica Florestal without reservation and with the fullest confidence. She is organized, compassionate, courageous, and wise beyond her years. This scholarship would not simply help Loussica, it would invest in a young woman who is determined to give that investment back to her community tenfold. I have no doubt that she will.”- Cindy Mercado
Loussica
State: Florida
INSPIRE AWARD: $250
Award Acceptance Note:
My name is Loussica Florestal, and I am a senior in High School. Being recognized by Herren Project is so meaningful to me because I truly admire everything your organization stands for. I love how Herren Project focuses on empowering others, promoting wellness, and helping people support those around them. Moving forward, I hope to continue implementing those values in my own life and be a positive influence within my community.
I would be absolutely honored to accept the Inspire Scholarship from Herren Project. I am so thankful that I was able to be vulnerable and share my story with such a kind and supportive group of people. Our conversation genuinely touched me, and I will carry this moment with me for a very long time.
