Brooks Martin Memorial Scholarship

Born in 2009, Brooks was the long-awaited little brother I had always dreamed of. We were states apart when he was born during my senior year of high school, but I chose to move from Virginia to South Carolina for college that summer so I could be closer to him - a decision I will forever be grateful for.

In 2010, Brooks’s life ended suddenly and tragically while at an in-home daycare facility, a loss that forever reshaped everyone who knew him. His time here was far too short, and we will always miss his bright eyes and infectious giggle, forever wondering who he might have become.

When he passed away, I was a college student living in a world that suddenly felt unrecognizable. I know firsthand the strength it takes to keep going when everything feels impossible.

Resilience in the face of loss requires extraordinary courage. Choosing to move forward after your world has changed is no small feat; it is an act of quiet bravery that reflects both purpose and perseverance.

Through this scholarship, I hope to honor Brooks’s memory by supporting students who, like I once did, are learning to navigate loss while building their futures. The scholarship exists to offer not only financial support, but also encouragement - a reminder that even after loss, there is strength to be found and a future worth pursuing.

Any high school senior or undergraduate student who has experienced a significant personal loss (death of a sibling, parent, or close loved one) may apply for this scholarship opportunity.

To apply, tell us about the loss you experienced, how it has shaped who you are today, and how that experience has influenced your goals or outlook on life.