UK Honors 11 Students With Still We Rise Scholarship
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 29, 2022) — Eleven University of Kentucky students have been awarded the Still We Rise scholarship, recognizing undergraduate and graduate students who have persisted through obstacles and overcome adversity.
Founded in 2018 by UK student, Kennedy Guess, the Still We Rise program, whose names sake pays homage to Maya Angelou’s anthem, "And Still I Rise," provides students with a forum to share their stories and awards students with a scholarship/stipend.
“During my time in undergrad, I struggled with mental health issues, as well as being sexually assaulted,” Guess said. “Many remain silent on these struggles. I realized my story could help others suffering in silence to realize they are not alone. I wanted to help diminish the stigmas associated with mental health disorders and sexual assault. I wanted to acknowledge the strength and courage of my classmates. I wanted to spark a conversation that would make people uncomfortable because discomfort promotes change.”
“Not every student’s journey looks the same and for some the hurdles they have to leap through just to get here is beyond inspiring,” said Ashley Hinton-Moncer, student wellness director and chair of the Still We Rise event committee. “Their commitment deserves a place to be spoken about.”
Still We Rise provides just that.
This year’s recipients included:
- Peyton Varney, College of Health Sciences;
- Adrian Del Valle, J. David Rosenberg College of Law;
- Bethany Thompson, Graduate School;
- Caroline Coffey, College of Public Health;
- Karina Martinez, College of Public Health;
- Dorian Record, College of Arts and Sciences;
- Alisha Mays, Graduate School;
- Cam Asher, Graduate School;
- Sasha Owens, College of Fine Arts;
- Tyler Patrick, College of Engineering; and
- Kasey Dickerson, College of Arts and Sciences.
“The Still We Rise award to me has meant acknowledgement, healing and hope,” John Toomer, this year’s keynote speaker and former Still We Rise recipient, said. “It’s a place where those who have faced adversity are able to come together through tremendous amounts of courage and share their stories on the deepest level.”
Any full-time undergraduate or graduate student who has experienced adversity or who has overcome a significant challenge is encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a resume and personal statement that addresses how they have overcome adversity and what resources they used to do so. To nominate a student, submit a brief personal statement from the student, student resume and a letter of support from UK faculty/staff or from a fellow student.
Event sponsors include UK Student Government Association and the Office for Student Success, as well as additional support from private sponsors.
For more information on Still We Rise, click here.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.