2 Batavia High Students Recognized For Suicide Prevention Efforts

BATAVIA, IL — Two Batavia High School students have received scholarships through Elyssa’s Mission — a local non-profit organization that funds suicide prevention programming in middle and high schools across Illinois. Each year, Elyssa’s Mission honors high school juniors and seniors who have successfully applied the organization’s “ACT message” in their school or community. The ACT help-seeking message stands for “acknowledge” the signs of depression and suicide, “care” about a friend and “tell” a trusted adult, according to a news release.

“These young leaders are helping to fulfill our mission of preventing teen suicide,” said Sarah Shaheen, EM Scholarship Chair. Since its inception in 2007, Elyssa’s Mission has awarded over $50,000 in scholarships.

This year, $8,000 in scholarships has been awarded to ten students. Jessica Nena and Crystal Monarrez, who are both Batavia High School students, were among the award receipients.

Other award winners are: Garett O’Brien, a Naperville North High School student; Hannah Schilling, Charlotte Geier, Kamila Bochenek, all Maine South High School students; Emily Karling, a Downers Grove South High School student; Joshua Slavin, a Yorkville High School student; Isaak Porter, of West Oak High School In South Carolina; and Kayla Mish, a Burlington Central High School student.

For more information about Elyssa’s Mission and how to apply for a scholarship visit www.Elyssasmission.org.