Listening to Student Voices

A flyer for schools, coalitions, and task forces

Inspired by 21 anonymous scholarship essays

"When students are invited to speak honestly,

they offer more than reflection - they offer direction."

These essays reveal not only what students are worried about, but also what they believe can help:

What they

named

• Mental health struggles
• Pressure, stress, and emotional challenges
• Substance use prevention
• Community and environmental concerns

What they

asked for

• Tools for coping
• Supportive adults and open conversations
• Ways to build resilience
• Hope, healing, and healthier choices

What we can do

• Listen to student-informed ideas
• Strengthen prevention and mental health support
• Create connection and belonging
• Work together across schools and community partners

Open to conversation and collaboration

If your school, coalition, task force, or organization would like to discuss these themes and explore ways to implement student-informed suggestions, I would be honored to meet with you. Together, we can turn student insight into support, resilience, and meaningful community action.

True North

Foundation

Vincent D'Antoni-Richmond Memorial Scholarship

followtruenorth1@gmail.com | 631-553-9437

sites.google.com/view/true-north-foundation/home

All essay insights are shared anonymously.

Student Voice Data Snapshot

Themes identified across 21 anonymous scholarship essays

These essays offer more than personal reflection - they provide direction, perspective, and student-informed insight.

Note: themes overlap because many essays reflected more than one topic.

Mental health concerns

and emotional well-being

16 of 21

essays

Emotional resilience, coping

strategies, and tools

16 of 21

essays

Environmental and

community concerns

5 of 21

essays

Substance use concerns

and prevention

3 of 21

essays

What this

suggests

• Students want tools, connection, and support.
• Resilience-building matters.
• Mental health is central to what they are experiencing.
• Even when substance use was less frequent, prevention mattered and was considered important.

Open to conversation

and collaboration

If you would like to review these themes and discuss possible next steps for your school, coalition, or task force, I would welcome the opportunity to connect and collaborate.

True North

Foundation

Vincent D'Antoni-Richmond Memorial Scholarship

followtruenorth1@gmail.com | 631-553-9437

sites.google.com/view/true-north-foundation/home

All essay insights are shared anonymously.