For DonorsFor Applicants

Bold Listening Scholarship

Funded by
$500
1 winner$500
Awarded
Application Deadline
Apr 29, 2022
Winners Announced
Jun 21, 2022
Education Level
Any

“I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I’m going to learn, I must do it by listening,” -Larry King.

Being a good listener not only helps you learn from the wisdom of others but also makes those around you feel heard and appreciated. Broadening your horizons can be as simple as just keeping an open mind and truly listening to others.

This scholarship aims to encourage students to be good listeners to those around them.  

Any student may apply for this scholarship by telling us how you actively listen to others and what listening means to you.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published January 28, 2022
Essay Topic

How do you actively listen to those around you, and what does listening mean to you?

150–300 words

Winning Application

Elora Umbach
Penn Foster High SchoolCasper, WY
Henry Tran
Albany Medical CollegeElkridge, MD
When I was volunteering as a Crisis Textline counselor, my main responsibility was to respond and listen to texters who were experiencing crisis and traumatizing moments. Active listening in these situations consisted of reading and understanding what the texter was worried about, exploring the details that the texter is comfortable sharing, and finally providing emotional support by either confirming their feelings and thoughts or providing advice/ideas. At the end of the day, active listening is when we provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for the other person to express themselves. Even though these crisis conversations were conducted through texts, I have taken these techniques and applied them to in-person situations. When I am talking to someone in person, I make sure that I maintain a comfortable level of eye contact and avoid distractions, such as my phone. Furthermore, I use body language to show the speaker I am paying attention, such as nodding. With all of this in mind, I would also continue to provide a safe environment for the speaker and give them the opportunity to talk about everything they want to say, just like through the texting platform. Once they are done talking, I would then respond by agreeing, clarifying, or asking questions to continue to explore how they feel. Active listening sounds like a straightforward task. However, I feel like it is crucial to listen properly. In my mind, this person is gathering the courage and strength to reach out to me in a time of need, so I should understand and respect that. To me, listening is a gesture that can lead to trust and support. It can lead to life-altering decisions; therefore, active listening is an important skill to have.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Apr 29, 2022. Winners will be announced on Jun 21, 2022.