Founder and Executive Director Maranda Heil said, “Live4Lane is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in Loudoun County Virginia after the loss of my son [Lane].”
Live4Lane strives to break the stigma behind mental health. Heil said, “I believe education is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.”
“The Live4Lane Mental health scholarship was created to honor my son, Lane Michael Burrows, and to invest in the next generation of mental health advocates,” Heil said. The scholarship consists of a project advocating for mental health as well as a personal statement.
Recipient Angelina Le-Hoang laundered a mental health app as her project which provides resources and strategies to deal with mental health. “It is so important to have resources and support systems to support everyone’s mental health,” Le-Hoang said. Le-Hoang is involved in Safe Haven Club and has served as an officer.Â
Le-Hoang said, “Getting this scholarship was a huge relief to help me to get my undergraduate degree and pursue medical school despite being stressed about the financial burden.”Â
Emari Fazeli received the scholarship because of her therapy book, which helps readers navigate and manage mental health. Fazeli is involved in Live4Lane and serves as an officer for safe haven club, “Mental health awareness and advocacy can truly save someone’s life by not only letting people in need feel seen but also creating a network of support”
Fazeli said, “The scholarship money means a lot to me because it can help me in pursuing an education that can help me advocate for mental health. “
Faith Garret has also received the scholarship for her video on mental health in dancers.
Heil hopes that students at Dominion do anything they can to support mental health advocacy, “You do not need to have all the answers to be a mental health advocate. Sometimes advocacy is as simple as checking on someone, including others, listening without judgment, or reminding someone they matter.”
The students were all honored for the scholarship on June 5, and you can participate in the next Live4Lane walk on October 17 at 9:00-12:30.
