VA Scholarship Student Goals Rooted in Parental Struggle

Apr 16, 2025

By Katharine Jefcoats

Watching her dad struggle with mental illness and becoming so overwhelmed he saw no way out has propelled Lily Sanford to seek a career that helps provides answers to troubled patients.

Lily Sanford at her high school graduation.

“After losing my dad to suicide in 2021, advocating for mental health awareness sparked a fire in me to not only help my community, but also to continue my education to one day help others,” she said.

She is majoring in psychology on the pre-med track at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

When she was 8, William Isenberg entered her life. He is now an officer with Remington Police Department in Virginia. He began his career in law enforcement working in corrections for 12 years in Maryland and then moved to Virginia where he has served as a patrol officer for five years.

Lily Sanford with her stepfather, Remington police Officer William Isenberg.

He has worked for the Remington Police Department for a year and a half. Prior to his time at RPD, he was a deputy sheriff with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, where he still serves as a contractual background Investigator.

Isenberg is also a member of PBA, which gave Lily eligibility to apply for a PBA scholarship, a benefit funded by donations from Police Benevolent Foundation. She is one of 24 students to earn a scholarship in 2024. Students without a parent or stepparent in PBA can also apply if they are seeking a major in the criminal justice field.

“Receiving a PBF scholarship means the world to me,” she said. “It is a blessing to receive this financial support toward my future and I cannot express how grateful I am that this incredible foundation believes in me and my education. It also allows me the opportunity to take a break from working while school is in session to focus on schoolwork and my rookie year as a JMU Dukette.”

Lily Sanford with her stepdad after she was crowned Miss Fauquier County Fair.

Seeing how her father battled mental illness, coupled with poignant observations from her stepfather’s daily experiences in law enforcement helped form her direction for her own future.

“I will never forget having one of our ‘heart to heart’ conversations as we called them and I expressed to (her stepfather) that I was unsure of what I wanted my future to look like, as I just knew I wanted to make a difference, but didn’t know what I wanted to do,” said Lily.

Officer Isenberg then shared an experience he had on a call where he had to sit with a little boy whose mother had just died. He recalled to Lily the internal struggle, trying everything in his power to comfort the child during a difficult time while the boy continued to smile as he played with toys.

“He shared the story to show me no matter what path in life you take, there is always a chance to help others,” she said. “I hope one day I can help as many people in my career that he has been able to help in his.”

Lily Sanford shows her support by holding the hashtag for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Virginia. She lost her dad to suicide in 2021.

Officer Isenberg said he is honored to be a source of support and encouragement for Lily.

“Lily is a very special person,” he said. “I feel like everything she applies herself to she finds a path not only for success, but excellence.  As we would have conversations about life and career aspirations, I always tell her to prioritize her happiness. 

“I would tell her about how I found life to be the most meaningful helping others and I saw the same desire in Lily when she would volunteer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention,” continued Isenberg. “Lily is now going to James Madison University for psychology with the goal of helping others – I couldn’t be more proud of her.”