Public by Default Scholarship Winners

2026 Winner: Melissa Hancer

Bio: I am an incoming freshman at the University of Florida. In high school, I founded a nonprofit chapter called Mind4Youth Windermere to support youth mental wellness. I connected my team with global partners like BetterHelp and UNICEF to provide free resources to our community. I also actively advocate for pediatric care through our school’s Dance Marathon network. I plan to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree at UF. My ultimate goal is to become a medical provider who treats the physical body while also understanding what is behind healthcare laws.

Reaction Statement: Winning the Public by Default Scholarship is an incredible honor. Writing my essay about the emotional impacts of Florida’s public records law was a very eye-opening experience for me. This generous award will really help relieve the financial burden of my undergraduate education. I am so grateful to the Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter for supporting my academic journey!