What We’re Learning from our Scholarship Applicants
Each year, scholarship applications provide more than a glimpse into students’ academic achievements and career aspirations. They offer something equally valuable: insight into how young people experience life in Mercer County and how they envision a stronger future for their communities.
This year, scholarship applicants were invited to reflect on the Seven Vital Conditions* for Health and Well-Being — conditions that research shows help individuals and communities thrive. Students submitted written essays or video responses sharing which condition mattered most to them and how they would work locally to strengthen it.
While responses touched on all seven conditions, a notable number of students focused on the seventh vital condition: Belonging and Civic Muscle. Their reflections reveal a generation that is eager to connect, contribute, and help build communities where everyone feels included.
The students’ responses challenged a common misconception that young people are disengaged from civic life. Instead, they described a desire for stronger relationships, more opportunities to serve, and greater inclusion across age groups, abilities, backgrounds, and life experiences.
One student wrote, “The young people of most communities often feel unheard.” Another shared a vision for creating spaces where ” … everyone can be seen and heard, regardless of their background.”
Across the applications, belonging was rarely described as simply fitting in. Instead, students spoke about creating environments where people feel valued, supported, and connected to something larger than themselves.
Many students connected these ideas to their own experiences. They described finding belonging through sports teams, faith communities, volunteer service, mentoring relationships, and inclusive programs that brought together people of different abilities. These experiences shaped their understanding of what a healthy community looks like and inspired ideas for how Mercer County can become stronger.
One applicant reflected on participating in Unified Bocce and Unified Track and Field, writing that the experience demonstrated ” … how meaningful it is to create spaces where everyone belongs.” Another described the impact of older student mentors who encouraged and supported her as a child, an experience that later inspired her to mentor younger athletes.
The ideas students proposed for addressing the problem were equally telling. They envisioned community-led volunteer programs, youth-directed events, support groups for individuals facing mental health challenges, resource-sharing spaces in schools and libraries, and recreation opportunities designed to be welcoming and accessible to everyone. Several emphasized the importance of creating places where people can gather face-to-face, build relationships, and work together toward common goals.
Underlying these proposals was a belief that young people are not merely future community members — they are contributors today.
Many students also recognized the connection between belonging and other vital conditions. They discussed mental health, educational opportunities, civic engagement, economic barriers, and access to supportive environments. Their responses reflected an understanding that the conditions that shape well-being are interconnected, and that meaningful change requires attention to multiple factors at once.
What stands out most is the optimism embedded in these reflections. Rather than focusing solely on challenges, students consistently identified opportunities for connection and improvement. They expressed a willingness to volunteer, mentor, lead, advocate, and create solutions.
As our community continues to invest in health and well-being, these responses serve as an important reminder: young people possess valuable insights about what helps communities thrive. They understand the importance of feeling connected. They recognize when people are excluded. And they often see possibilities that adults may overlook.
If we want to strengthen belonging and civic muscle in Mercer County, listening to our youth must be part of the process.
The students who shared these reflections are preparing to become professional nurses, psychologists, educators, and community leaders. Their ideas suggest that the next generation is not waiting to be invited into the conversation — they are already participating in it.
The question for the rest of us is whether we are listening. The ideas shared by this year’s scholarship applicants are a reminder that young people are already thinking deeply about the future of our communities. We believe those perspectives deserve a seat at the table.
As we continue to develop a Youth Advisory Council here in Mercer County, we’re inviting students and community partners alike to help shape what comes next. Whether you’re a young person interested in getting involved, an educator who works with students, or an organization committed to supporting youth leadership, we’d love to keep you informed as this effort develops. 
Email us at info@buhlrhf.org to join our interest list to receive updates and opportunities to participate as we build this initiative together!
*Footnote Source: Created by the Rippel Foundation, the Seven Vital Conditions for Well-Being is a useful framework for conceptualizing holistic well-being and the Conditions that give rise to it, as well as identifying levers for community change and improvement. For more information, visit https://rippel.org/vital-conditions/.