Scholarship Awarded In Honor Of New Rochelle Gun Violence Victim

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The tragic story of a promising young man from the Bronx whose future was cut short by gun violence in New Rochelle could lead to a brighter future for a student essay contest winner.

The annual scholarship was created in memory of Devante Lane, an unintended victim of gun violence on July 15, 2020. The scholarship and essay contest in honor of Lane was created by the law firm of Finz & Finz, where he worked and his father Jerome Lane worked for nearly 30 years.

The goal of founding the scholarship is not only to honor Lane but to help fight against gun violence, which needlessly took Lane’s life too soon, organizers said. The scholarship looks for essays from students who wish to provide meaningful solutions to curb violence in New York. It also asks them to explain how they will use their college education to give back to the Bronx and help others succeed.

This week, Finz & Finz congratulated Jakai White, the 2021 Devante Lane Scholarship Winner.

White’s essay was chosen because it is particularly in line with the mission of the Devante Lane Scholarship, the judges said.

“When I graduate from college in four years, I will use my college experience and the tools I learned to teach the youth to stay focused and to chase their dreams no matter how hard life gets,” White wrote.

White writes about his desire to provide a gun-free community for younger generations to come. He describes his experiences growing up around gun violence and his hopes to prevent young people from going down the wrong path. He also provides solutions to how he would uplift those in his community and provide them with resources to help them be successful.

White explains that as a young Black man growing up in Brooklyn, he saw many lose focus on the important aspects of their lives, such as education, passions, and family, to participate in gangs and go down a violent road. He eloquently expresses his desire to prevent others from making these same mistakes and help them to become thriving members of their communities.

The scholarship fund is open exclusively to residents of New York City currently enrolled in high school or college. Submissions for the 2022 Devante Lane Scholarship open on August 15.