Here below is Hulede Scholarship 2026 Essay Questions and Answers Iyeneobong Essien, Sophomore Union College 1 - Outside of golf and academics, how do you invest your time? Outside golf and academics, I invest my time in activities that help me stay balanced and continue growing as a person. I spend my time working out which not only supports my performance on the course but also helps me manage my stress and stay disciplined and focused. I also enjoy spending quality time with my friends; going shopping or just watching a movie. This keeps me grounded and constantly reminds me of the importance of relationships outside of golf and academics. In addition, I look for opportunities to be involved on my campus whether that involves helping others, volunteering or simply being someone others can rely on. I value using my time in ways that build both my character and my ability to contribute to those around me. I’m part of the World Council which provides students a place to socialize during weekends and enjoy ice cream. 2 - What are you currently studying in college or planning to study in college, and why? I am currently studying Electrical Engineering because I am interested in designing and building things and in understanding how it can be applied to real-world challenges and future career opportunities. I chose Electrical Engineering because it aligns with both my strengths and my long-term goals. I am also fascinated with technology and want to be able to create amazing new devices and products. Beyond academics, I am motivated by the idea of continuous growth. My studies is not just about earning a degree, it's building a foundation that will allow me to contribute meaningfully to my career and community. The discipline and focus I’ve developed through golf have been carried over into my academics, my social life and has pushed me to stay committed and strive for the very best outcomes. 3 - How do you currently give back or plan to give back during college and beyond? Giving back is something I value because of the support I’ve received throughout my journey. Currently, I try to contribute by helping others when I can, whether that involves mentoring younger athletes, or being involved in supporting my teammates or being involved in my community in my home country Nigeria; helping develop future young golfers. During college and beyond, I plan to expand that impact by becoming more involved in mentorship and community service. I want to help younger golfers who may not have the same resources or guidance that I was blessed with, just as programs like this scholarship aims to do. Long-term, I hope to use both my education and experience to give back in ways that create opportunities for others and make an impactful difference. 4 - The HCGS supports collegiate golfers through financial assistance and intentional mentorship. How would receiving this scholarship meaningfully impact your collegiate experience-academically, athletically, and personally? Receiving the Hulede Scholarship would have a meaningful impact on my collegiate experience both on and off the course. Financially, it would help reduce the burden of tuition and related expenses and would allow me to fully put my focus on my academic and athletic goals; as I am currently working part time on campus. Athletically, it would give me greater flexibility to invest in my development, for example through training, travels, upgrading of golf equipment and seeking more competition opportunities. Personally, the mentorship aspect of the scholarship is just as valuable to me. Learning from experienced individuals who understand both golf and life beyond would provide guidance that goes beyond what financial support can offer. 5 - Describe a moment of adversity or uncertainty on or off the course. How did you respond and what did that experience teach you about yourself? Born in NY but raised in Abuja Nigeria until age 14 when I relocated back to the US for my high school and my golf development. I started playing golf in Nigeria at age 5 in an environment where it is rare to find kids playing golf because golf is considered a rich sport, meant for old people. At my golf club in Nigeria, I was one of the very few kids playing golf. Aged 11, I vividly recall a moment when I experienced adversity on my home course. I went to practice with a group of older women. On my flight I was paired with 3 older women. I teed off with them as I normally do on other days; I won all the holes against this group of women. There was this particular woman who got angry saying that I didn't allow her to win any hole. At the end of the round, this old woman reported me to the caddy master asking him if I was a registered member of the club and why as a child I was allowed to play with them; that I didn’t allow her to win a single hole throughout the round . The caddy master confirmed to her that not only was I a registered member of the club, but I was one of the rising young golfers in Nigeria. I was taken aback by her reaction and didn't respond to the adversity because I was raised to respect older people even when they are wrong; as is tradition in Nigeria, children don't talk back at older people as it could be construed as disrespectful and rude. That experience taught me 2 lessons about myself; to remain calm during adversity and focused on my set goals. These have helped me in my golf journey and outside golf over the years.

1) Basketball is my second passion after golf. At school in Abuja Nigeria, I played soccer and basketball. I was looking for a sport that would complement golf; a team sport that is more physically demanding; fast paced; a sport that will enhance my athletic ability and help me with motor coordination, eye-to-ball coordination; help with endurance and much more. Basketball fits more than soccer into all of the above needs. I had to stop playing soccer because it’s dangerous for me as a girl; also I was the only girl playing with the boys. I started playing basketball at the age of 9 in Nigeria before I relocated to Taft School, Watertown, CT in 2021. I am part of the Taft Girls’ JV basketball team. I really enjoy playing basketball with my friends. Basketball has helped me in acquiring team building skills, ball-to-eye-coordination, mental conditioning, communication and social skills with leadership roles skill sets. It has helped me to build my physical fitness and endurance. Basketball has enhanced my golf development; it helps me to block-out-the-noise and promotes strong mental conditioning skills, especially when I am putting as putting represents about 50 percent of the scoring in golf. I am able to caddie for myself on a golf course without too many physical challenges. Basketball has made me a better golfer. The team player skill will help me in collaborating and working with teams on small-to-large scale projects in my future studies and career in engineering and investment banking. 2) It is common to hear the loud sound of exhilarating shouts (noises) “NEPA” from children and adults alike echoing through the air in many districts, cities, and at times villages across the length and breadth of Nigeria after a power outage. The duration of power restoration could be very unpredictable; from a few hours, through days, and at times, the outages could last for months. Most of the power generated in Nigeria (3,970MW) is not transmitted because of dilapidated and old transmission lines which have not been upgraded in decades due to many reasons and causes. Many homes and businesses in Nigeria rely on privately generated power supplies. Running generating sets is very expensive and emissions cause environmental hazards. The desire to study Electrical engineering is borne through experiences I had as a child living in Nigeria. I want to make my contribution in helping to solve the problems of incessant power failures in Nigeria. Living in Nigeria I thought that power failures were normal until I traveled to NY where I was born. My father told me that in NY there were hardly any power outages because the system is efficient. This is how my desire to study electrical and computer engineering was born. I hope to use my knowledge in electrical engineering in helping to fix the challenges and problems that Nigeria is facing through designing, installing, and equipping networks to increase the capacity of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution in Nigeria; thus fostering development in Nigeria. 3) Golf is the game of life. Golf has given me a lot and has provided me with many opportunities; representing Nigeria in international golf tournaments in Africa, US, UK; making new friends, and learning about different cultures in the world. Nigeria has failed her children. There are more than 20,000,000 out-of-school children in Nigeria and still counting. I have been fortunate to play golf and study STEM. In Abuja Nigeria where I lived before relocating to the US for my high school at Taft school, many kids look up to me as their idol, trailblazer and pacesetter. I have the passion and commitment to provide leadership in giving back to communities in rural Nigeria; to provide support to these children in STEM education through golf. To support this ambition, I created a foundation - with the aim of providing support to aspiring youths in rural Nigeria. The foundation will source for used golf clubs, balls, gloves and apparels from OEMs, golf clubs throughout the US. It will also source for funds, part of which will be used to ship these equipment to Nigeria. I have already identified an NGO in Nigeria that will help in distributing these equipment and apparels to golf clubs and schools in Nigeria. This opportunity will help create a diverse community of future leaders, doctors, engineers, educators, nurses and other professionals which Nigeria desperately needs. This action will help contribute in supporting and fostering the development of these communities through golf and STEM education. 4) I have been passionate about golf since I was introduced to the game from the age of 5. I have represented Nigeria in many international junior golfing events including the 2022 R&A Junior Open in Scotland; and the 2022 Champion of Champion World Golf championship invitational in Northern Ireland; finishing second. I am equally passionate about STEM education. I have the ambition & passion to be a role model to the many youths – especially the girl children in Nigeria - who, unlike me, have not had the opportunities I have had in golf and education. I have the ambition to study Electrical Engineering at the University while playing collegiate golf. After my studies, I aspire to play professional golf or work as an engineer. I also have the ambition of giving back to society through golf and STEM education. I will be working to represent Nigeria at the 2028 Summer Olympics in the USA. To help support these ambitions, the scholarship will be utilized to complete the payment of my college education estimated at 89,000 dollars. It will enable me to have access to the best golf coaches; and pay for my participation in high level golf tournaments all over the world. It will give me the exposure; afford me the opportunities to meet and network with professionals in the field of engineering, golf and business for my personal and professional growth. It will enable me to attract sponsors for the development of golf in Nigeria through my foundation.

1) Basketball is my second passion after golf. At school in Abuja Nigeria, I played soccer and basketball. I was looking for a sport that would complement golf; a team sport that is more physically demanding; fast paced; a sport that will enhance my athletic ability and help me with motor coordination, eye-to-ball coordination; help with endurance and much more. Basketball fits more than soccer into all of the above needs. I had to drop playing soccer because it’s dangerous for me as a girl; also I was the only girl playing with the boys. I started playing basketball at the age of 9 in Nigeria before I relocated to Taft School, Watertown, CT in 2021. I am part of the Taft Girls’ JV basketball team. I really enjoy playing basketball with my friends. Basketball has helped me in acquiring team building skills, ball-to-eye-coordination, mental conditioning, communication and social skills with leadership roles skill sets. It has helped me to build my physical fitness and endurance. Basketball has enhanced my golf development; it helps me to block-out-the-noise and promotes strong mental conditioning skills, especially when I am putting as putting represents about 50 percent of the scoring in golf. I am able to caddie for myself on a golf course without too many physical challenges. Basketball has made me a better golfer. The team player skill will help me in collaborating and working with teams on small-to-large scale projects in my future studies and career in engineering and investment banking. 2) It is common to hear the loud sound of exhilarating shouts (noises) “NEPA” from children and adults alike echoing through the air in many districts, cities, and at times villages across the length and breadth of Nigeria after a power outage. The duration of power restoration could be very unpredictable; from a few hours, through days, and at times, the outages could last for months. Most of the power generated in Nigeria (3,970MW) is not transmitted because of dilapidated and old transmission lines which have not been upgraded in decades due to many reasons and causes. Many homes and businesses in Nigeria rely on privately generated power supplies. Running generating sets is very expensive and emissions cause environmental hazards. The desire to study Electrical engineering is borne through experiences I had as a child living in Nigeria. I want to make my contribution in helping to solve the problems of incessant power failures in Nigeria. Living in Nigeria I thought that power failures were normal until I traveled to NY where I was born. My father told me that in NY there were hardly any power outages because the system is efficient. This is how my desire to study electrical and computer engineering was born. I hope to use my knowledge in electrical engineering in helping to fix the challenges and problems that Nigeria is facing through designing, installing, and equipping networks to increase the capacity of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution in Nigeria; thus fostering development in Nigeria. 3) Golf is the game of life. Golf has given me a lot and has provided me with many opportunities; representing Nigeria in international golf tournaments in Africa, US, UK; making new friends, and learning about different cultures in the world. Nigeria has failed her children. There are more than 20,000,000 out-of-school children in Nigeria and still counting. I have been fortunate to play golf and study STEM. In Abuja Nigeria where I lived before relocating to the US for my high school at Taft school, many kids look up to me as their idol, trailblazer and pacesetter. I have the passion and commitment to provide leadership in giving back to communities in rural Nigeria; to provide support to these children in STEM education through golf. To support this ambition, I created a foundation - with the aim of providing support to aspiring youths in rural Nigeria. The foundation will source for used golf clubs, balls, gloves and apparels from OEMs, golf clubs throughout the US. It will also source for funds, part of which will be used to ship these equipment to Nigeria. I have already identified an NGO in Nigeria that will help in distributing these equipment and apparels to golf clubs and schools in Nigeria. This opportunity will help create a diverse community of future leaders, doctors, engineers, educators, nurses and other professionals which Nigeria desperately needs. This action will help contribute in supporting and fostering the development of these communities through golf and STEM education. 4) I have been passionate about golf since I was introduced to the game from the age of 5. I have represented Nigeria in many international junior golfing events including the 2022 R&A Junior Open in Scotland; and the 2022 Champion of Champion World Golf championship invitational in Northern Ireland; finishing second. I am equally passionate about STEM education. I have the ambition & passion to be a role model to the many youths – especially the girl children in Nigeria - who, unlike me, have not had the opportunities I have had in golf and education. I have the ambition to study Electrical Engineering at the University while playing collegiate golf. After my studies, I aspire to play professional golf or work as an engineer. I also have the ambition of giving back to society through golf and STEM education. I will be working to represent Nigeria at the 2028 Summer Olympics in the USA. To help support these ambitions, the scholarship will be utilized to complete the payment of my college education estimated at 89,000 dollars. It will enable me to have access to the best golf coaches; and pay for my participation in high level golf tournaments all over the world. It will give me the exposure; afford me the opportunities to meet and network with professionals in the field of engineering, golf and business for my personal and professional growth. It will enable me to attract sponsors for the development of golf in Nigeria through my foundation.