Brotherhood Bows Scholarship

$1,000
2 winners, $500 each
Awarded
Application Deadline
Jun 15, 2024
Winners Announced
Jul 17, 2024
Education Level
High School, Undergraduate
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school or undergraduate student

Many students are in need of financial aid as the costs of a college education continue to rise, becoming increasingly inaccessible for the average student.

Unfortunately, there is limited funding for scholarships, and many of the opportunities available are reserved for students who display academic excellence or leadership achievement. As a result, many students who demonstrate the equally important strengths of determination, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity are left behind.

Everyone battles with adversity at some point in their life. Adversity is defined as a state of continued struggle, hardship, and difficulty that causes prolonged distress – often caused by a major or a series of unfortunate events outside your control. This scholarship aims to support students who have shown resilience in overcoming their own challenges. 

Any high school student or undergraduate student who has been faced with adversity may apply for this scholarship opportunity.

To apply, write an essay of 1,000 words or less, telling us about a time that you encountered an obstacle or challenge. How did you navigate this situation, and what lessons did you learn from it? Who was your support system and why?

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Impact
Published March 14, 2024
Essay Topic

Overcoming adversity and hardships of all shapes and sizes are often what help us to build resiliency. In 1,000 words or less, tell us about a time when you encountered an obstacle or challenge. How did you navigate this situation, what lessons did you learn from it, who was your support system and why?

500–1000 words

Winning Applications

Ryther Gehrke
University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointVIOLA, WI
As many do, there were a few times in my educational career that really didn’t feel fair and I thought how easy it would be to just stop caring. The first event was when my mom was involved in an accident where a distracted semi driver ran a stop sign and struck the driver’s side of her vehicle. My mom suffered major injuries that would change her life forever. However, we were lucky too because that collision could’ve been fatal. It would have been easy to use the accident as an excuse to let my grades slip and my homework slide. However, I was able to persevere through hard work with a sense of grit to overcome obstacles that I had learned from my mom. Little did I know it would prepare me for another time when I had to do the right things versus the easy. Two years later my dad was impacted by a liver disease. My dad had known this for years, but as he got more ill from his autoimmune disease it was time for a transplant. My family was blessed to have a family friend agree to donate part of his liver to my dad. I was around 14 during the time of the surgery. The transplant went well but like most surgical procedures of this magnitude, the recovery was long and many additional hospital visits were needed afterwards. For about a year and a half my dad had visited the hospital multiple occasions for long periods of time with my mom by his side. I was old enough that sometimes I would be at home taking care of my younger siblings and getting them ready for school. This was huge for me because it taught me responsibility and resilience in such a difficult time. Again, it would have been easy to let my schoolwork, behavior, or other commitments slide. My understanding teachers and coaches at Kickapoo probably would have even understood the situation and would have cut me some slack. However, I pushed through this difficult situation with my family and added to the resolve and work ethic that I had already acquired that has shaped me into the person I am today. Both of these situations were very tough on my family and I wouldn't have wished them on anyone else. However, my mom, dad, brother, sister, and I were an extremely loving and close family before these events and those bonds have only grown stronger since. We have taken turns supporting and motivating each other throughout and will continue to do so in the future. This strong foundation I have in my family will always be there as I work through college, my career, relationships, and life in general. However, I know that my family will not always be able to be there instantly or with me every step of the way. These traumatic experiences have also instilled confidence, a strong work ethic, and a sense of "grit" that can only come from life experiences such as these. I've been through tough times, I know there will be more in the future. I also know that these events will pass if you keep pushing and working through them. I've learned that everyone has a story and you have no idea what others may be dealing with. My story contains many peaks and valleys. I've learned to embrace the good times and celebrate them with my support system - my family. I've also experienced several major low times and through those experiences have gained the traits I believe will help me to be a more resilient, understanding, and hard working adult in the future.
Matthew Patterson
Valencia CollegeKey Largo, FL

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Jun 15, 2024. Winners will be announced on Jul 17, 2024.