My name is Brandyn Twumasi-Ankrah, and I am a high school senior dedicated to excelling in academics, athletics, leadership, and service. I currently maintain a 4.26 GPA in advanced and dual enrollment courses, and I am proud to be a straight A student recognized on the Honor Roll and through the National Honor Society. Like Kalia, I am also a committed athlete, competing on my school’s varsity track and field team in both winter and spring. Balancing sports, academics, and leadership has required discipline, resilience, and focus, and I strive to bring my best effort into everything I do. Beyond academics and athletics, I have found purpose in serving my community and encouraging others. As Youth Chaplain at my church, I mentor younger students and help create a safe space where youth can grow in confidence and faith. I also serve as Vice President of the African Student Association, an officer in Model United Nations, and an active member of organizations such as Helping Hands and DECA. These roles have taught me that leadership is not about titles, but about lifting others up and being someone they can count on. I try to live this out daily, inspired by moments like the one I shared with a friend named Justin. In freshman year, Justin was quiet, always covering himself with a hat and mask. Over time, I encouraged him to be confident in himself, and he began to open up to our class and show his true personality. Later, when I moved schools and struggled with confidence in myself, it was Justin’s example and eventually my faith that helped me “take off my own hat” and live authentically again. That lesson shaped me into the mentor, teammate, and leader I am today. This scholarship would have a tremendous impact on me and my family. I am the son of a single father raising twins, and I have seen the sacrifices he has made to ensure my sister and I have opportunities to succeed. My dream is to study at Virginia Tech and pursue a career in cybersecurity systems analysis, where I can use my skills to make cyberspace safer and protect others. Receiving this scholarship would not only ease the financial burden on my father but would also allow me to continue striving for excellence in school, athletics, and service without compromise. Most importantly, it would honor the legacy of Kalia D. Davis by helping me live with the same dedication, kindness, and commitment to excellence that she embodied. She is a legacy of living, grace,and learning.

Being involved in my community is very important and special to me. I have always believed that people need safe spaces where they feel respected, supported, and special. That is one of the main reasons why I enjoy serving in my church as a Youth Leader and Youth Chaplain. Through this role, I get to work directly with my youth, helping them build their confidence in Christ and reminding them that they are never alone. As Youth Chaplain, my job is not just about leading prayers or reading scripture. It is also about being a role model and a listener. Many youth today face challenges like online bullying through social media due to our youths constant usage of it. These situations can make them feel isolated and just terribly about themselves. Part of my responsibility is to remind them that they are valued, and that kindness and respect should always guide how we treat each other. I very often teach about the importance of walking in kindness and in love as scripture calls us to do, so that my youth is reminded to act accordingly in whatever environment they're in. When we gather at church, I try to create an environment where everyone feels welcome. I encourage open conversations so that if someone is struggling with being bullied or feeling less than because of the words or actions of someone else, they can share it without fear of being judged. Sometimes just knowing there is someone who will listen can make a big difference. I feel like I can personally attest to this myself since I experienced a bit of online teasing from 7th- 8th grade. It sent me down a spiral that no person should go through. I like to help teach youth how to handle these problems in ways that honor and respect everyone involved. We talk about standing up for one another and being the bigger person when situations become too much to handle alone. Another important part of my role is teaching safe habits online. In our group discussions, I remind everyone that words online can be just as powerful as words in person. I always try to reference scripture when discussing the power of words with my youth so that they can use that as a guide to assist them. In everything I do, my goal is simple: to create a space where youth feel safe, respected, and empowered. Whether at church, in school, or online, I want to set an example of kindness and courage that others can follow. In terms of financial need, my father is a single parent trying to send twins off to college at the same time. I've worked as hard as I could since I could remember in order to ease that burden on him. I've watched him as he's tirelessly worked and struggled to provide for my twin sister and I. It's been my dream to attend college at a reduced price and land my dream job in the Cyber security field so that I could provide for and serve my family. This scholarship would help me tremendously in boosting these chances. Fortunately enough, this scholarship stands for something that means a lot to me as well. Thank you for your consideration.