PPB September 2021

Heading to college in the fall, 161 students are benefiting through the generosity of PPEF’s scholarship program. LiftingUp Legacies by Kristina Valdez L ast year, the typical “college experience,” filled with friends and fun events to promote learning and community, was nearly impossible. With classroom learning temporarily replaced with Zoom-based courses, and virtual hangouts making up for canceled sporting events, guest lecturers and club meetings, feelings of isolation and depression rose among students. While young people don’t often become seriously sick with COVID-19, a BestColleges.com survey found that more than 90 percent of college students experienced mental health challenges due to the pandemic. Heading to coll ge in e fall, these 161 students e benefiting through the generosity of PPEF’s scholarship program. eamesBot / Mopic / Tee11 / Shutterstock.com FEATURE | PPEF Scholarship Recipients 2021 80 | SEPTEMBER 2021 |