Finz & Finz, P.C. Announces 2022 Scholarship Essay Contest Winner

The team at Finz & Finz, P.C. is pleased to congratulate the 2022 Winner of our Devante Lane Scholarship, Henry Dekyi Abrefa. Henry’s essay submission on how to best reduce the epidemic of gun violence in New York and how to make a difference in our community both supports and expands upon the goals of this important memorial scholarship.

2022 Devante Lane Scholarship Winner – Henry Dekyi Abrefa

As an undergraduate student at Geneseo University, Henry’s focus of study in Biology with a minor in Business. He hopes to use his education to give back to the community by becoming a surgeon, opening his own medical office, and later building a non-profit medical school for low-income families.

Henry is active in many activities outside the classroom, such as advocacy, volunteering, tutoring, and leadership opportunities. His advocacy work, in particular, focuses his concerns on gun violence in New York and its effect on our community’s well-being and safety.

The 2022 Devante Lane Scholarship winner outlined how he plans to make a difference and ways the community can help. He supports a “multifaceted strategy that combines advocacy, education, and assistance for individuals impacted by gun violence.” In addition, Henry intends to use his college education to help research gun violence, including statistics, causes, consequences, and solutions.

His plan involves volunteering with organizations working to reduce gun violence and support survivors, as well as advocating for policy changes in New York. He notes the effectiveness of providing job training and employment opportunities, promoting alternatives to violence, and increasing access to mental health services.

Henry states, “As a first-generation college student and a member of a community that has been disproportionately affected by gun violence, I am committed to using my education to make a positive difference. Through education, advocacy, and support for survivors, I believe we can work together to reduce the epidemic of gun violence in New York and create a safer, healthier community for all.”

About the Devante Lane Scholarship

The Devante Lane Scholarship was set up to honor the life of Devante Lane, a 22-year-old victim unintended of gun violence in New York. Devante Lane was a recent college graduate and the son of Jerome Lane, a valued member of Finz & Finz, P.C. for decades. The scholarship, established in honor of Devante, allows Finz & Finz, P.C.  to support the next generation of New York residents wanting to combat senseless acts of violence by helping to fund their higher education. We hope that scholarship recipients will then go on to support their communities and continue the long-lasting fight against gun violence.

Each year, Finz & Finz, P.C. receives countless thoughtful and inspiring essays addressing the causes of gun violence and proposing meaningful solutions. However, the scholarship is awarded only to applicants who demonstrate a sincere and thorough understanding of the issues, their impacts, and how they can make a difference. Our team hopes to continue providing this scholarship opportunity to remember Devante but also to provide a better future for New York and our community.