Juliana Oringel, 2020 Significant Challenge College Scholarship Finalist
MAY 19, 2020: Juliana Oringel was approaching the end of the school day at Providence High School in Charlotte, NC, on February 14th, 2018, when she received texts from her friends at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, sharing that a gunman had opened fire in their school, and that one of her friends had not survived. After the massacre, Juliana developed severe, debilitating anxiety that prevented her from attending classes, or sleeping through the night.
Juliana eventually was able to transform her fear into action when she founded Return Home Supplies, a nonprofit school supply brand, which raises funds for the nation’s leading gun violence prevention group, and provides educational mentorship.
Juliana found power in her advocacy, and she did not stop there. She has made it her mission to empower her peers to do the same. Whether speaking with elected officials, organizing a protest, registering voters, or raising funds, Juliana is committed to educating other passionate teen activists.
In her essay, Juliana shares, “As hard as it is to constantly speak about the epidemic of gun violence and my experiences in the haze of recent attacks, I am motivated to know that every day, there are more than two thousand school supplies on desks nationwide that raise awareness for an issue deeply personal to me.”
Richie's Spirit Foundation congratulates Juliana Oringel on being selected as a finalist. Please stay tuned for the announcement of scholarship winners coming soon.