2022 Safe Social Network Scholarship Winners Announced

Ava Grace Rabin from Trinity High School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Adnan Alkhalili from Pioneer Academy in Wayne, New Jersey have been named the 2022 Safe Social Network Scholarship Winners. 

The Safe Social Network Scholarship is awarded to two students each year who promote positive use of social media, mental health awareness, stand up to bullying and hate, or create a more positive, respectful and inclusive school culture. Each student receives a $1,000 scholarship. 

Ava Grace Rabin

Ava Grace Rabin has been an advocate for disability access and inclusion since she was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis (JA) at eight years old. As JA is an invisible illness, in middle school Ava Grace was denied access to academic accommodations in her school because she ”didn’t look sick”. She has remained committed to making sure no other student has this experience. This Spring she wrote a legislation proposal called “The Chronic Pain Accommodation Protocol.”  She brought this proposal to her state legislators and told her story about her struggles with having an illness no one can see. Ava Grace hopes to ensure children with invisible disabilities across the country receive an equal education.

Ava Grace has been named the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Advocacy Chairperson for the Arthritis Foundation and this summer Ava Grace will compete for the title of Miss Pennsylvania.  She hopes to use this platform to amplify her advocacy. Ava Grace will also be attending Carlow University with a Major in Health Sciences. She plans to one day become a pediatrician so she can continue to help children live to their fullest potential.

Adnan Alkhalili

Adnan Alkhalili is a student at Pioneer Academy in Wayne, New Jersey. After he suffered a panic attack during his sophomore year of high school, Adnan decided that it was time to address it for himself and for others. He started 'Free the Bird,' a mental health nonprofit organization, dedicated to destigmatizing mental health amongst youth. Students share their stories regarding mental health over social media and in-person. Free the Bird provides students with a safe haven where they can talk without that fear. This has resulted in more students feeling comfortable to seek treatment.

Adnan has partnered with various other organizations to spread this important message. Free the Bird has provided data to mental health research organizations to better their studies. Adnan has shared his story and the mission of Free the Bird at his school and others. He recently joined Ben Tracy, Founder of Safe Social Network, at a school assembly where he shared his message with more than 700 middle school students.

Adnan will use the funds from the Safe Social Network Scholarship for a mental health challenge later this summer. Youth will be encouraged to start conversations about mental health in their circle and community. 

Statement from Ben Tracy, Founder, Safe Social Network:

“Ava Grace Rabin and Adnan Alkhalili have both used their personal challenges to make their schools, communities, and world a better place. Today’s youth face unprecedented challenges, but it makes me hopeful and optimistic about the future knowing students like Ava Grace, Adnan, and dozens of others who applied for this scholarship are tackling these issues head-on. Hopefully this scholarship provides recognition for their efforts and encourages others to do the same.”