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Canaan, CT – June 16, 2026 – Mountainside Treatment Center is proud to award its annual Brighter Future Scholarship to 11 exceptional high school students from Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania whose lives have been impacted by substance use and addiction.
Created in 2021, the Brighter Future Scholarship aims to foster awareness of addiction among young people while helping students pursue their educational goals. Through personal essays, applicants share how addiction has affected their lives, families, and communities, and how those experiences have shaped their aspirations for the future.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately one in four children in the United States have been impacted by substance use disorder. Research shows these individuals are more likely to experience academic challenges, mental health concerns, and increased risk of substance use themselves.
“Addiction is a disease that does not stay behind closed doors. It affects entire communities and touches every walk of life,” said Andre Basso, Chief Executive Officer at Mountainside Treatment Center. “The Brighter Future Scholarship is our commitment to educating the next generation, reducing stigma, and making sure the young people most impacted by this disease know they are not alone. At Mountainside, we believe recovery is possible for everyone, and that it starts with awareness, compassion, and community. These students give us hope. They are turning their pain into purpose, and we are proud to stand behind them in the broader mission of ending the stigma that keeps so many from seeking the help they deserve.”
This year’s recipients are:
- Ava Coffey, Northwestern Regional High School (Winsted, CT)
- Lynae Eakin, New Milford High School (New Milford, CT)
- Peyton Elliott, Derby High School (Derby, CT)
- Jayvon Elston, William H. Hall High School (West Hartford, CT)
- Dion Matthew Florencio, Eastchester High School (Tuckahoe, NY)
- Ryan Lavey, Massapequa High School (Massapequa, NY)
- Aubrey Merideth, Colonia High School (Avenel, NJ)
- Modestus Okpala, Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics (New York, NY)
- Madison Peneguy, Bristol Jr./Sr. High School (Bristol, PA)
- Rosheka Reddicks, Waterbury Career Academy (Waterbury, CT)
- Mackenzie Turner, Faith Christian Academy (Schwenksville, PA)
Mountainside hopes the Brighter Future Scholarship will continue to spark conversations about addiction, reduce stigma, and empower young people to become advocates for healthier communities.
Applications for the 2027 Brighter Future Scholarship will open later this year. If you know a high school student whose life has been impacted by addiction and would benefit from sharing their story, we encourage their application. Visit mountainside.com/scholarships/brighter-future/ to learn more and read this year’s winning essays.