2023 Safe Social Network Scholarship Winners Announced

Luke Mills from The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, California and Kennedee Beals from Putnam County High School in Unionville, Missouri have been named the 2023 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, or create a more positive and respectful school culture.

Luke Mills

Luke Mills is a recent graduate from The King’s Academy in Sunnyvale, California. During the pandemic, Luke realized that his constant use of TikTok was harmful to his mental health. He made the decision to quit TikTok and engage in productive activities like hanging out with friends and enjoying nature. His mental health improved, and he now encourages other young people to be responsible users of social media.  

Luke hosted an event at his school called “Meant for More” where he shared his story with more than 200 of his peers. He also wrote and defended his fifteen-page senior thesis about social media and online safety. In part, Luke wrote, “Parents must be cognizant, well-informed and vigilant on what their kids are doing online and hold them accountable to use technology in a responsible and ethical manner. Otherwise, they might turn out to be the victim or even the perpetrator in these serious situations that teens go through online 24/7.”

At the King’s Academy, Luke was a member of the basketball team, school choir, and led worship for weekly school chapels. He frequently volunteers his time helping individuals with special needs and donating leftover school lunches to people experiencing homelessness. Luke enjoys playing guitar, drums, and saxophone. He will attend West Valley College in the fall.  

Kennedee Beals

Kennedee Beals is a recent graduate from Putnam County High School in Unionville, Missouri. Kennedee lost one of her best friends to suicide and has made it her mission to raise awareness about mental health. She is turning her pain into purpose.  

Kennedee currently holds the title of Miss Missouri Teen. Her platform is to end the stigma that surrounds mental health. She is donating half of her funds raised to a mental health organization. In her scholarship essay, Kennedee wrote of her friend, "She was a fighter with the brightest smile and most contagious laugh. I miss her more each day. I'll do whatever it takes to prevent youth suicide."

In high school, Kennedee was a member of FFA and a competitive dancer. She received the State FFA Degree, Chapter STAR Farmer, Area Beef Placement Award, and the Putnam County FFA Scholarship. She was also Putnam County Fair Queen, Community Service Queen, and a New York Fashion Week Runway Model. 

She has volunteered her time reading at the local library, cleaning up trash, making stockings for members of the military, assisting with canned food drives and clothing donations, and making cards for hospitalized kids. 

Kennedee will continue her education at Kirkwood Community College where she will student nursing and be a member of the dance team. She plans to become a travel nurse, specializing in obstetrics and/or mental health.