Maurice Geyen Business Scholarship

I am seventeen years old and a junior in high school, but my academic journey did not begin with confidence or clarity. From elementary school onward, learning—especially reading—felt like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. I questioned whether I was autistic. My pediatrician said I was not. I wondered if I had ADHD. After extensive testing, a psychologist confirmed I did not. Yet I continued to struggle academically, all while enduring severe bullying. I knew I was different, even if I did not yet know why. As a young boy, I also had a noticeable stutter, which made speaking in class intimidating and further isolated me from my peers. Despite evaluations by school learning specialists, I did not qualify for a specialized learning plan. By the end of sixth grade at my charter school, I felt discouraged and unseen. Everything changed through an unexpected opportunity. After my brother and I completed a service project in Kenya—where we collected books and helped open a library in a children’s home in one of Africa’s largest slums—I was invited to apply to a private school. My entrance exam scores were low, and I was advised to repeat sixth grade instead of entering seventh. Though humbling, I accepted. A few months later, my math teacher noticed something others had missed: I was not incapable—I learned differently. She recommended educational testing, which revealed that I was dyslexic. That diagnosis brought relief. For the first time, I had an explanation. Instead of fear, my parents encouraged me to focus on the strengths associated with dyslexia: creativity, problem-solving, and big-picture thinking. I embraced that mindset. As I learned more about dyslexia, I discovered a natural pull toward business and entrepreneurship. I became energized by ideas that solved problems and could be monetized. I began painting on canvas and selling my work to friends and family, completing paid odd jobs in my neighborhood, and launching an online business that generated revenue. Each venture taught me resilience, discipline, and confidence. I plan to major in business to gain the skills, knowledge, and connections necessary to build sustainable enterprises. After college, I intend to grow my own businesses while giving back. Living with epilepsy has shaped my empathy, and I hope to support epilepsy foundations through financial contributions. I also want to help young men from underserved backgrounds—especially in Kenya—who have business potential but lack resources. My long-term goal is to run successful businesses alongside a philanthropic foundation that invests in education and opportunity. What once felt like a limitation became my greatest strength. I am no longer searching for what makes me different—I am building a future because of it.

My name is Izaiah Holley, and I was raised in San Bernardino, California, where I was surrounded by my two sisters and five brothers. Being the second youngest, I was usually stuck between doing what my older siblings said and dealing with the pressure of being the last son. Although I did not grow up in foster care, I had my own share of difficulties that have made me the person I am today. I've always been expected to be at a higher level, and that has pushed me to try harder at everything I do. In high school, I held a 3.8 GPA and performed well in athletics by competing in three varsity sports. The sport that has influenced my life the most is football, and I'm looking forward to pursuing my athletic career at the college level. My parents were both first-generation college students in their families, and their success has been a major motivation for me. I've admired them ever since, and now my aspiration is to become the first in my family to gain a master's degree in business. I am excited to be attending Benedictine College, which has an excellent business program that I believe will open doors for me in the future. Before visiting the school, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to study. But when I viewed the business hall and the things the program has to offer, I knew this was the way to go. I understood that a business degree would give me the foundation I require to construct a successful career and assist others in the process. Although I didn’t grow up in foster care, my final year of high school presented a unique challenge. I moved to Salt Lake City to live with my uncle so I could focus on football and prepare for the next chapter of my athletic career. The experience of leaving home at a crucial time in my life taught me the importance of independence and self-reliance. It wasn’t easy being away from my family, and I missed home, but I also realized that this move was a blessing. It opened doors for me both in football and in life, allowing me to take control of my future and develop the skills I need to succeed. The lessons I’ve learned from these experiences—whether it’s the pressure to succeed, the importance of independence, or the value of seizing opportunities—have shaped my future goals. Once I graduate, I aim to utilize my business degree to not just create a successful career for myself, but also to provide for others. I would like to utilize my success as a means to assist others who might encounter the same dilemmas, particularly youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. I think that I, through business, can generate opportunities that will have a positive effect on other people's lives, as I have been fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to transform my own. In sum, the events that have molded me—from coming from a large family to deciding to move away for football—have all had a hand in my passion for business and wanting to be successful. I look forward to my future at Benedictine College, and I will stop at nothing to reach my goals of obtaining a master's degree and building a career that helps others in a positive manner.