Life has tested me in ways that could have broken me, but instead, those challenges became the foundation for who I am today. I am a twenty year Army veteran, a husband, a father of three, and a first generation college student pursuing an engineering degree. Along the way, I have faced personal adversity, including the loss of multiple friends to suicide, the weight of transitioning from military to civilian life, and the responsibility of raising a family while carrying a full academic load. Through each trial, I have learned that true success is not measured by the absence of hardship but by the resilience and determination we demonstrate when facing it. One of the most difficult battles I have fought has been with depression after losing six friends to suicide, some of whom I served alongside in Afghanistan. Their loss left scars, but I chose to honor their memory by living fully, advocating for mental health, and being a voice of encouragement to others. There have been moments where I directly intervened, such as pulling a knife from a friend’s hands to stop him from harming himself, and many more moments where I reached out to strangers simply to remind them that their lives matter. These experiences shaped me into someone who not only survives adversity but uses it as fuel to ensure others do not feel alone in their struggles. My sense of duty extends beyond my military service. I coach seven and eight year old boys in football, many of whom come from homes without father figures or positive male role models. On the field, I teach discipline, teamwork, and accountability, but more importantly, I mentor them in life. I want them to see that success is not about talent alone, but about hard work, perseverance, and the commitment to finishing what you start. My own children watch me balance academics, family, and service, and I know the example I set today will shape the men and women they will become tomorrow. Academically, I have stayed focused despite the heavy demands on my time and energy. My faith grounds me, reminding me that every obstacle I face is part of a greater plan. Through long nights of study, I show my children and my players that education is not just important, it is life-changing. Maintaining a strong GPA while serving my family and community is not easy, but it proves that resilience and consistency matter more than circumstance. I believe the Alger Memorial Scholarship honors the kind of sacrifice, resilience, and service that I strive to embody. Like the Algers, I aim to dedicate my life to helping others reach their potential, even when it means putting my own comfort aside. Adversity has not held me back, it has strengthened my resolve to rise higher and to lift others as I climb. By pursuing my degree and continuing to serve my community, I hope to carry forward the legacy of selflessness and impact that this scholarship represents.

Adversity has been a defining part of my life. After returning home from deployment in Afghanistan, I lost six close friends to their internal battles with mental health. Some of these losses were heartbreaking because they were preventable. I have also had moments where I intervened directly, saving lives by talking friends down from the ledge and even removing a knife from their hands as they were about to take their own lives. These experiences exposed me to the fragility of life and the urgency of mental health awareness. Surviving these challenges taught me that grief and pain can be transformed into action. I honor the memory of my friends by committing myself to service and advocacy. I became a vocal supporter of mental health in my unit, encouraging others to seek help and providing a listening ear when needed. I check on Soldiers, colleagues, and even strangers, reminding them that they matter and that their presence improves the world. By creating these moments of connection, I hope to prevent others from experiencing the same heartbreak I endured. Facing adversity in this way shaped who I am today. It taught me empathy, patience, and the importance of perseverance. I learned that personal challenges can be turned into opportunities to uplift others. This mindset guides my education, career, and community involvement. I approach each day with a commitment to lead by example, showing others that resilience is built through effort, self-care, and a willingness to seek support. My advice to someone facing similar circumstances is to acknowledge the pain without letting it define you. Seek guidance, connect with supportive communities, and transform your experiences into opportunities for growth. Adversity does not have to be a permanent roadblock; it can be a source of strength that inspires action and fosters deeper connections with others. I encourage anyone struggling to understand that they are not alone and that their struggles can empower them to make a difference in the lives of others. Receiving the Simon M. Humphrey Scholarship would allow me to continue turning adversity into impact. The financial support would help me pursue higher education while maintaining my commitment to community service and mental health advocacy. By sharing my story and offering support to others, I hope to honor the legacy of those I have lost and to contribute to a culture where no one feels that they must face their challenges in isolation. This scholarship would enable me to further my personal growth while creating opportunities for others to overcome adversity and thrive.

Growing up in a small town where poverty and street life often consume young people early, I learned quickly how limited opportunities can shape the future. I joined the Army right out of high school, guided by a mentor in JROTC who saw more in me than I saw in myself. After twenty years of service, including multiple combat deployments, I returned home last December carrying the weight of PTSD, anxiety, survivor's guilt, and depression. For years, I struggled silently as my life slowly unraveled, but through seeking help and working toward healing, I found new ways to reintegrate into my family and community. I was introduced to golf this year by my twin brother, who discovered the game as part of his recovery after undergoing surgery for an injury he sustained while deployed last year. He found peace and clarity on the course, and I followed his lead. We both started with mismatched clubs from Facebook Marketplace, but what began as a simple activity turned into something much more meaningful. Golf has given me a way to reconnect not only with myself but with my brother in a way we had not experienced since we were kids. Spending time together on the course has strengthened our bond as adults. It has also sparked the interest of my five-year-old son, who now loves to join us and swing alongside his dad and uncle. Even my autistic niece finds joy on the course, taking swings and enjoying the peaceful family time outdoors. What started as a hobby has become a source of healing, connection, and new memories. Although I am not on a collegiate golf team, I play competitively and plan to continue developing my game. I am currently pursuing a degree in engineering and hope to combine my passion for service with my education to build better systems and infrastructure for underserved communities. I currently carry have a GPA of 3.6. Eventually, I want to help introduce the game of golf to young people in low-income areas who might not otherwise get the chance. I believe golf can teach valuable life lessons like focus, emotional control, and self-discipline. These lessons helped me overcome my darkest moments, and I want others to have that same opportunity. Legacy Golf’s mission speaks to me personally because I know what it means to lack access and to find healing in an unexpected place. This scholarship would help me stay committed to both my education and my continued growth through golf while creating new opportunities for the next generation to thrive.

For years, I wore the uniform with pride, carrying out my mission with unwavering commitment. But the battles I fought overseas followed me home in ways I couldn’t anticipate. After serving in Afghanistan, I returned with invisible wounds; PTSD, anxiety, survivor’s guilt, and clinical depression. I had lost close friends to combat and even more to suicide. The weight of those losses buried me slowly, quietly, and for over a decade, I suffered in silence while everything around me began to fall apart. I pushed through each day, wearing a mask that said I was fine. In reality, I was struggling to hold on. My relationships suffered. I lost direction. I was constantly on edge, haunted by memories, and burdened by the guilt of being alive when others were not. I believed that asking for help was a weakness, and like many Soldiers, I thought I had to fight alone. Eventually, I reached a breaking point. It took everything in me to walk into a mental health clinic and admit that I needed help. That decision changed my life. Through counseling, treatment, and time, I began to heal. I learned how to cope, how to forgive myself, and how to move forward with purpose. The darkness didn’t vanish overnight, but I was no longer facing it alone. What I once saw as a weakness, I now see as a source of strength. After getting the support I needed, I became an advocate within my unit. I started having honest conversations with fellow Soldiers about mental health. I shared my story to break the stigma and encourage others to seek help. I organized workshops, connected peers with resources, and made it my mission to let every Soldier know that resilience isn’t about staying silent; it’s about standing back up. Now, as I transition from military service, I’m pursuing a degree in engineering. I want to build a life rooted in purpose and problem-solving, using my skills to make an impact beyond the battlefield. I also want to continue mentoring young men in my community, many of whom face their own battles with identity, direction, and self-worth. Whether on the football field or in the classroom, I’m committed to showing them that healing and growth are possible. The phrase “I can and I will” speaks directly to my journey. I can rebuild, I can lead, and I can use my experiences to help others rise. I will not let my past define my future. Instead, I will carry it with me as proof that no matter how far you fall, you can always climb again; and bring others with you.

Growing up in a small town where poverty casts a long shadow, I witnessed firsthand how quickly the street life pulls in young people and crushes their dreams. It is a place where survival often takes precedence over education, where hope feels out of reach, and where role models are hard to come by. I come from a family that has never had the chance to pursue higher education, and for much of my early life, college seemed like a far-off dream meant for someone else. What changed the course of my life was one mentor who believed in me. In high school, I joined the JROTC program more out of curiosity than direction. But my instructor saw something in me and helped me see it too. He taught me discipline, self-respect, and the value of commitment. Because of him, I enlisted in the United States Army. That decision gave me structure, purpose, and a chance to rise above the cycle that had trapped so many around me. Now, after twenty years of military service, I am preparing to transition into civilian life. I am pursuing a degree in engineering because I want to solve real-world problems and improve the lives of people in communities like the one I came from. I know what it feels like to live without resources and opportunity. My goal is to design systems and infrastructure that support underserved populations and to eventually lead a firm that focuses on building up areas that have been neglected for too long. The path to college has not been easy. As someone without a family background in higher education, navigating the college system has often felt overwhelming. There were times I questioned whether I belonged, whether I could balance school with family, work, and the weight of being a role model for others. But what keeps me going is the understanding that I am not just doing this for myself. I am doing it for my children, for the boys I coach in youth football, and for anyone who has ever been told their dreams were too big. I have spent years mentoring young boys who face the same challenges I once did. Many of them do not have fathers or stable guidance at home. Through football, I teach them discipline, teamwork, and self-worth. I also helped start a tradition at my university where students wear suits on Tuesdays to promote professionalism and confidence. These small actions create change and show others that we can rise above our circumstances. My biggest hope is that my story becomes proof that where you start does not define where you finish. I want to continue my education, grow in my career, and keep giving back to the community that raised me. My biggest fear is falling short of the example I want to set, but I channel that fear into motivation. I am committed to showing the next generation that higher education is not just for others; it is for us too. Receiving the Dr. Samuel Attoh Legacy Scholarship would mean more than financial support. It would be a vote of confidence in my journey and the impact I hope to make. I am ready to lead, to learn, and to lift others as I climb. My picture is of my family. My wife and children are my greatest inspiration and they inspire me to work my hardest for them.

Growing up in a small town where poverty casts a long shadow, I witnessed firsthand how quickly the street life pulls in young people and crushes their dreams. It is a place where survival often takes precedence over education, where hope feels out of reach, and where role models are hard to come by. I come from a family that has never had the chance to pursue higher education, and for much of my early life, college seemed like a far-off dream meant for someone else. What changed the course of my life was one mentor who believed in me. In high school, I joined the JROTC program more out of curiosity than direction. But my instructor saw something in me and helped me see it too. He taught me discipline, self-respect, and the value of commitment. Because of him, I enlisted in the United States Army. That decision gave me structure, purpose, and a chance to rise above the cycle that had trapped so many around me. Now, after twenty years of military service, I am preparing to transition into civilian life. I am pursuing a degree in engineering because I want to solve real-world problems and improve the lives of people in communities like the one I came from. I know what it feels like to live without resources and opportunity. My goal is to design systems and infrastructure that support underserved populations and to eventually lead a firm that focuses on building up areas that have been neglected for too long. The path to college has not been easy. As someone without a family background in higher education, navigating the college system has often felt overwhelming. There were times I questioned whether I belonged, whether I could balance school with family, work, and the weight of being a role model for others. But what keeps me going is the understanding that I am not just doing this for myself. I am doing it for my children, for the boys I coach in youth football, and for anyone who has ever been told their dreams were too big. I have spent years mentoring young boys who face the same challenges I once did. Many of them do not have fathers or stable guidance at home. Through football, I teach them discipline, teamwork, and self-worth. I also helped start a tradition at my university where students wear suits on Tuesdays to promote professionalism and confidence. These small actions create change and show others that we can rise above our circumstances. My biggest hope is that my story becomes proof that where you start does not define where you finish. I want to continue my education, grow in my career, and keep giving back to the community that raised me. My biggest fear is falling short of the example I want to set, but I channel that fear into motivation. I am committed to showing the next generation that higher education is not just for others; it is for us too. Receiving the STEAM Generator Scholarship would mean more than financial support. It would be a vote of confidence in my journey and the impact I hope to make. I am ready to lead, to learn, and to lift others as I climb.

Dear Scholarship Committee, Being a first-generation college student means paving a new road not just for myself, but for my children and the generations that follow. It represents breaking cycles that have long limited opportunity in my family and replacing them with a new legacy built on hard work, education, and community service. It means showing my children that they do not have to accept the status quo. They can dream bigger and achieve more if they are willing to put in the work. I am the first in my family to walk this path, and that means I carry both the challenge and the privilege of setting a new standard. It is not always easy, but it is always worth it. I am currently serving in the United States Army and will be transitioning to civilian life within the next year after twenty years of service. My time in the military has taught me discipline, leadership, resilience, and how to work toward a goal greater than myself. These same values guide me now as I pursue my education and serve my community. While I am proud of my military accomplishments, I also believe that service does not stop when the uniform comes off. That is why I continue to give back as a youth football coach, mentoring young boys in my community who often lack strong male role models. Through football, I teach them the importance of hard work, respect, accountability, and teamwork. I want them to believe in themselves and know that with the right support, they can overcome anything. I am currently pursuing a degree in engineering. I chose this field because it allows me to combine my passion for solving problems with my desire to make a positive impact. My long-term goal is to use my engineering skills to design systems and infrastructure that support underserved communities and improve quality of life. I also plan to eventually start my own firm that focuses on public works projects in areas that are often overlooked. Along the way, I want to continue mentoring others who are facing challenges similar to mine. I believe that success means very little if I cannot help others rise with me. On campus, I try to lead by example. I helped start a tradition where students wear suits on Tuesdays to promote professionalism and pride. The movement has helped create a culture of accountability and confidence, especially among young men striving to grow beyond the limits of their surroundings. I am deeply committed to lifting others up, not just in words, but through action. Receiving the Dr. Christine Lawther First in the Family Scholarship would allow me to stay focused on my studies while continuing to serve my family and community. The financial support would ease the burden of tuition and allow me to invest more time in mentoring, family responsibilities, and academic excellence. More than that, this scholarship represents an investment in my future and the futures of those I aim to support through engineering and outreach. Being a first-generation student is not just a personal achievement, it is a promise I’ve made to those who came before me and those who will come after me. I am committed to honoring that promise by continuing to grow, serve, and lead. I thank you for your consideration and your time.

Dear Scholarship Committee, I am honored to apply for this scholarship as I pursue my degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. My journey has been shaped by my experiences as a father, a soldier, and a mentor; and I am deeply committed to building a brighter future for my family and my community. This scholarship would not only support my educational aspirations but also strengthen my ability to give back to those who need guidance and support the most. As a father of three, my primary goal is to provide a life for my children that surpasses the challenges I faced growing up. For twenty years, I proudly served my country in the United States Army, dedicating my life to service, discipline, and resilience. Transitioning from military service to civilian life has been both a challenge and an opportunity—an opportunity to channel my passion for engineering into a career that ensures financial stability for my family while also allowing me to continue serving others in a meaningful way. I have chosen to pursue a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering because it allows me to apply my extensive experience as a Signal Soldier to the civilian sector. Throughout my military career, I have seen firsthand how critical effective communication is to mission success and national security. By advancing my education, I aim to contribute to the development of cutting-edge communication technologies that will enhance the effectiveness of our warfighters. My goal is to work on innovative systems that ensure seamless and secure communications, keeping our military personnel informed and connected in even the most challenging environments. This degree not only aligns with my passion for problem-solving and technology but also allows me to continue serving in a new capacity, supporting those who protect our nation. Beyond my responsibilities as a student and a father, I am committed to fostering positive change in my community. I coach 7- and 8-year-old American football, leading a program that instills discipline, hard work, confidence, teamwork, and a sense of belonging in young boys who often lack positive male role models. Many of these young athletes come from difficult backgrounds—some without father figures or stable family support. My mission is to provide them with guidance, mentorship, and the values they need to stay focused on their future, avoid the dangers of the streets, and become productive members of society. Earning an Engineering degree will not only fulfill my personal aspirations but also equip me with the tools to contribute to my community on a greater scale. With financial stability, I will be able to expand my mentorship efforts, invest in youth programs, and create opportunities for young individuals to see that hard work and education can lead to a successful future. I firmly believe that success is not just measured by personal achievements but by the impact we leave on others. This scholarship represents more than just financial assistance—it is an investment in a future where I can continue to serve and uplift those around me. My dedication to my family, my community, and my education drives me forward every day, and I am determined to make the most of every opportunity given to me. I appreciate your time and consideration, and I hope to have the privilege of representing the values of this scholarship through my continued efforts in education and mentorship. Sincerely, Darius

Dear Scholarship Committee, I am honored to apply for this scholarship as I pursue my degree in Engineering. My journey has been shaped by my experiences as a father, a soldier, and a mentor, and I am deeply committed to building a brighter future for my family and my community. This scholarship would not only support my educational aspirations but also strengthen my ability to give back to those who need guidance and support the most. As a father of three, my primary goal is to provide a life for my children that surpasses the challenges I faced growing up. For twenty years, I proudly served my country in the United States Army, dedicating my life to service, discipline, and resilience. Transitioning from military service to civilian life has been both a challenge and an opportunity—an opportunity to channel my passion for engineering into a career that ensures financial stability for my family while also allowing me to continue serving others in a meaningful way. Beyond my responsibilities as a student and a father, I am committed to fostering positive change in my community. I coach 7- and 8-year-old American football, leading a program that instills discipline, hard work, confidence, teamwork, and a sense of belonging in young boys who often lack positive male role models. Many of these young athletes come from difficult backgrounds—some without father figures or stable family support. My mission is to provide them with guidance, mentorship, and the values they need to stay focused on their future, avoid the dangers of the streets, and become productive members of society. Earning an Engineering degree will not only fulfill my personal aspirations but also equip me with the tools to contribute to my community on a greater scale. With financial stability, I will be able to expand my mentorship efforts, invest in youth programs, and create opportunities for young individuals to see that hard work and education can lead to a successful future. I firmly believe that success is not just measured by personal achievements but by the impact we leave on others. This scholarship represents more than just financial assistance—it is an investment in a future where I can continue to serve and uplift those around me. My dedication to my family, my community, and my education drives me forward every day, and I am determined to make the most of every opportunity given to me. I appreciate your time and consideration, and I hope to have the privilege of representing the values of this scholarship through my continued efforts in education and mentorship. Sincerely, Darius