In my life, I have learned that growth comes with challenges. Some of the greatest challenges/experiences that have shaped who I am today, are sports. Sports like track, basketball, and football require mental composure under extreme stress and pressure. These sports have helped me learn to control my emotions, manage stress, and find reliefs from everyday life. As a team captain for sports like football and basketball, I was able to learn leadership skills and traits that have allowed me to manage to become a better teammate, and overall individual. Theses challenging sports taught me how to interact and help develop positive environments for individuals outside of myself. Another major challenge I faced was when I moved school my sophmore year. When I moved, my credits that I accumulated going into my junior year had been lost, due to conflicting curriculum requirements. During junior year, I had to work overtime in order to recover these credits while also balancing extracurricular sports that left me exhausted. Instead of giving up, i learned resilience from the situation. I learned to stay focused and adapt to difficult situations, and continue moving forward no matter what. This experience improved my work ethic, and reminded me that challenges can always become oppurtunities for growth. In addition to athletics, I enjoy helping others academically. Math, one of my strongest subjects, and I take pride in being able to tutor classmates who struggle to understand certain concepts. Helping people improve their confidence in learning has shown me the value of patience, communication, and mentorship. And I believe knowledge becomes more valueable when it is shared with others. I plan to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering because I want to create structures that improves people’s lives and strengthens communities through unity. Civil engineering combines problem-solving, creativity, and service to society in a way that interests me. I hope to design systems and structures that help unite communities, improve safety, and provide opportunities for growth. Beyond engineering, I want to use my education to spread peace, encourage learning, and empower younger generations to believe in their potential. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue pursuing my education and goals while allowing me to focus on becoming the best version of myself. It allows me to focus more on school and education by relieving financial burden, allowing me to have free time to enter apprenticeships and learn from those more knowledgeable than I. More importantly, it would bring me one step closer to creating a lasting impact through leadership, service, and meaningful contributions to my community. Through discipline, resilience, and dedication, I hope to inspire others to overcome challenges and continue striving for success no matter what obstacles they face.

I am Bradyn Rutland. My life has been a path marked by challenges, growth, and resilience. From the moment I was being born, I was forced to fight. My umbilical cord was wrapped around my sac, nuchal cord. My mother was forced to have a c-section. She informed me that when she awoke from the c-section, doctors called me a "miracle baby." They stated that if they had not delivered me, when and the way they did, I would have had a five to fifteen percent chance of survival. My mother understood that that moment revealed a greater purpose for me, and that I was being watched over by God. Growing up, my childhood was filled with obstacles. I was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age, which made it difficult for me to focus and think through my actions. Around the same time, I began struggling with depressive thoughts and attended weekly psychiatric visits. These experiences made school and everyday life more difficult. I often found myself labeled as a problem child. However, even during those moments, I wanted to improve and become better. My transition into middle school marked a turning point. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted my education from the second half of sixth grade through ninth grade, taking me away from in-person and placing me into online school . While this was a difficult and isolating time for many, it became an opportunity for me to reflect. I used those years to think about my behavior, my choices, and the kind of person I wanted to become. Slowly, I began to mature and develop a calmer mindset. During my sophomore year, I had made many positive noticeable changes. When I returned to school in-person I focused on staying out of trouble and continuing to grow as a person. Despite this progress, I still faced challenges, including prejudice, racism, and bias. Instead of reacting negatively, I learned to handle these situations with composure and strength. Overcoming these experiences without creating further conflict became one of my proudest accomplishments. My family has also played a major role in shaping who I am. Being surrounded by relatives who are alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) has instilled in me a strong sense of unity, pride, and confidence. To me, attending an HBCU means becoming part of a supportive and empowering community. It represents an environment where I can grow alongside people who share similar backgrounds, while also exploring new perspectives, creativity, and opportunities. HBCUs symbolize Black excellence, resilience, and innovation. They create spaces where students are encouraged to embrace their identity and reach their full potential. For me, attending an HBCU is not just about earning a degree, it is about belonging to a family that uplifts and inspires one another. It is a place where I can continue building confidence and prepare myself to make a meaningful impact. As I pursue a degree in engineering, I plan to use my education to make a difference in both my community and my family. Engineering will allow me to think creatively and develop solutions that can improve everyday life. I want to inspire others, especially young people in my community, to believe in themselves and that their ideas and innovations have value. By sharing my knowledge and experiences, I hope to encourage more African American students to consider careers in engineering. Within my family, I aim to use my skills to improve our quality of life. I want to develop practical solutions that make daily tasks easier and help my family adapt to advancing technology. Whether it is creating safer home environments or introducing new tools that simplify everyday challenges, I want to use engineering as a way to give back. Ultimately, my journey has shaped me into someone who values perseverance, growth, and purpose. Attending an HBCU will strengthen my personal values while equipping me with the tools necessary for professional success. Through my education and actions, I am committed to creating positive change, inspiring others, and aiding in a better future for my family, my community, and future generations.