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Bryson Howard

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Finalist

General information

Location
Greenwood, SC
Age
18
Gender
Male

Hobbies & Interests

  • Politics and Political Science
  • Speech and Debate
  • Government
  • History
  • Yearbook
  • Writing
  • Advocacy And Activism
  • Volunteering
  • Youth Group
  • Trivia
  • Reading
  • Board Games And Puzzles
  • Community Service And Volunteering
  • Ethics
  • English
  • Exercise And Fitness
  • Guitar

Reading

  • Adult Fiction
  • Drama
  • Criticism
  • Politics
  • Thriller
  • Classics
  • Romance
  • Gothic
  • History
  • Literary Fiction
  • Literature

I read books daily.

Bio

"The only way to protect my own rights is to protect the rights of others."- Dwight D. Eisenhower. I am a high school senior preparing to attend the University of South Carolina Honors College, where I will major in Political Science and History and minor in Philosophy and Journalism. I hope to serve my state and country in the future as a politician, political journalist, or lawyer. In my free time, I enjoy reading, spending time with friends, working out at the gym, and discussing life with anyone and everyone. I am an active member of my community, volunteering with organizations such as the Burton Center and participating in state-level political campaigns. Some specific organizations/clubs I have been involved with are the National Honor Society (where I served as Treasurer and Chaplain), Student Activities Council (President and Vice President), Yearbook (Chief Copy Editor and Chief Tagging Editor), Interact, Chick-fil-a Leader Academy, and the Greenwood Mayor's Youth Council. I also had the privilege to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp (RYLA), Palmetto Boys State, and Clemson LEAD Scholars! If you were to ask me the most important thing in life, I would say it is the truth. Every profession (mine included) hinges on a basic understanding of what makes the world work. Philosophers discover it, while lawyers and doctors practice it. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at bhoward07h@gmail.com.

Education

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Bachelor's degree program

2026 – 2030

Majors:
  • History
  • Political Science and Government
Minors:
  • Economics
  • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
GPA4.0 GPA

Greenwood Christian School

High School

2022 – 2026

GPA3.9 GPA

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Georgetown University, Columbia University in the City of New York, Vanderbilt University, Duke University, Harvard College, University of Virginia-Main Campus
Majors of interest:
History and Political Science, Law, Political Science and Government, Legal Professions and Studies, Other, History, Philosophy, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Journalism, Economics
Desired degree modality:
In-Person
Medical school interest:
No
Test scores:
  • SAT1410
  • ACT31

Career

  • Childcare, Front Desk

    Hospitality · YMCA

    Jan 2025 – Present

  • Front of House Worker

    Food & Beverages · Chick-fil-A

    Jan 2024 – Jan 2025

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Legislative Office
Dream career goals:
To inspire change in various areas and improve bipartisan relations
Work experience:
0 years
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Politics
  • Volunteering
  • Philanthropy
Joseph C. Lowe Memorial Scholarship
I remember the first time I entered the South Carolina State House. The echo of my footsteps on the marble floor, the dome that seemed to stretch on forever into the sky, and the quiet conversations with a tangible sense of urgency– it was impossible to deny the sheer spectacle, even at ten years old. Yet what struck me most had nothing to do with the building itself. Thousands of representatives had stepped foot in its halls over hundreds of years, each with a unique and distinct voice. Wars had been fought for such declarations, and peace had been just as much of a battle. I could not help but ask myself- how can I be among those who have changed my country? How could my interest in history shape and define a future in law and politics? This pursuit has shaped my life ever since. Through an examination of the past and impact in the present, I have sought to understand how meaningful change occurs and endures. Volunteering with community organizations (such as the Burton Center Miracle League) demonstrated the communal impact of service, while shadowing a representative at the State House clarified my future career path: serving as a policymaker at the local, state, or national level. Throughout these experiences, the study of history and politics has had a greater influence on me than any other factor. With reverence and awe, I took in our nation’s history, attentive to even the minutest details. These courses (particularly Government and American History) shaped my perspective in ways few individual experiences could. There was a clear, resounding understanding of those facts. I could study the life of Washington and Wilson, details that were unchangeable, concrete, and resolute. Despite the changes high school inevitably brought, the events of yesteryear revealed enduring patterns of cause and consequence. At the University of South Carolina Honors College, I plan to double major in Political Science and History, while also minoring in Economics and Public Relations. Through them, the answer to that question I asked myself so long ago will slowly become clear. Every day, I will serve constituents by drawing upon the wisdom, theories, and events of the past (such as those of Locke, Hobbes, and Mill) to better advance the country into a promising future. Examining patterns of inflation may help pass legislation that eases its burdens, while studying periods of increased bipartisan activity will lead to an intentional focus on unity over division. Through impactful legislation and measurable change in the lives of those I will serve, I plan to truly make the world a better place. It is in Houses just like the ones that left an indelible mark on me so long ago, that these changes will be enacted. When I prepare to speak on a bill that has the potential to change the lives of millions or fight for the rights of the underrepresented, I will cling to a guiding truth: the past is essential to understanding the present– and more importantly, to changing the future.
Wicked Fan Scholarship
“So much of me is made of what I learned from you/ You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart.” My mother grew up watching The Wizard of Oz, a film she treasured and shared with me as a child. So when Wicked, the Broadway prequel, was announced as a movie, I pre-ordered opening night tickets for us. Much has changed for her since she was a child. She is the sole caretaker for her parents, one of whom has dementia and the other a broken back. She hides such stress excellently, but I am observant. I know my mother like she knows her son, through love and her smallest tendencies. This is why I was so eager to see the movie with her. As I drove her to the premiere, I saw her shoulders relax, her careful defenses melting as her inner child emerged. During the film, I saw a tear on her cheek. "I love you," she said, gently squeezing my hand. My love for Wicked runs much deeper than the story itself. While I have an immense appreciation for every aspect of the story, from Cynthia Erivo’s wonderful performance to the energy captured on screen in the “Dancing through Life” number, my favorite part of the film is its ability to help me connect with my mom. She does so much for others, and it is such a moving experience to be able to give back in a small way. I love her deeply, and I cannot help but think of her whenever I see the characters on screen. Through every moment in my life, she has inevitably changed me for good.
Ryan T. Herich Memorial Scholarship
I remember the first time I entered the South Carolina State House. The echo of my footsteps on the marble floor, the dome that seemed to stretch on forever into the sky, and the quiet conversations with a tangible sense of urgency– it was impossible to deny the sheer spectacle, even at ten years old. Yet what struck me most had nothing to do with the building itself. Ideas were presented, challenged, and defended with unwavering conviction; a continuous contest over liberty played out in those hallowed halls day after day. I was left not only with a dream to serve but also an unshakable question: how can one voice truly make a difference? This pursuit has shaped my life ever since. Through discussion and debate with peers, public speaking, and service, I have sought to understand how meaningful change occurs and endures. Volunteering with community organizations (such as the Burton Center Miracle League) demonstrated the communal impact of service, while shadowing a representative at the State House clarified my future career path: a policymaker serving at either the local, state, or national level. Throughout these experiences, the study of history and politics has had a greater influence on me than any other factor. With reverence and awe, I took in our nation’s history, attentive to even the most minute of details. These courses (particularly Government and American History) shaped my perspective in ways few individual experiences could. There was a clear, resounding understanding of those facts. Despite the changes high school inevitably brought, the events of yesteryear revealed enduring patterns of cause and consequence. At the University of South Carolina Honors College, I plan to double major in Political Science and History, while also minoring in Philosophy and Journalism. Through them, the answer to that question I asked myself so long ago will slowly become clear. Every day, I will serve constituents by drawing upon the wisdom, theories, and events of the past to better advance the country into a promising future. Examining patterns of inflation may help pass legislation that eases its burdens, while studying periods of increased bipartisan activity will lead to an intentional focus on unity over division. Through impactful legislation and measurable change in the lives of those I will serve, I plan to truly make the world a better place. It is in Houses just like the ones that left an indelible mark on me so long ago, that these changes will be enacted. When I prepare to speak on a bill that has the potential to change the lives of millions or fight for the rights of the underrepresented, I will cling to a guiding truth: the past is essential to understanding the present– and more importantly, to changing the future.
Bryson Howard Student Profile | Bold.org