Growing up, sports weren’t just a pastime, they were my foundation. From the time I could walk, I had a bat, ball, or football in hand. Baseball was my first love, but basketball and football soon followed. Each sport challenged me differently, but together, they became the core of who I am: disciplined, resilient, team-oriented, and driven by a greater purpose. Playing sports throughout my life taught me discipline in a way few other environments could. Early morning practices, grueling workouts, and learning to stay mentally sharp during high-pressure moments molded me into someone who doesn’t back down when things get tough. That structure, very similar to the military, which I’ve long admired, gave me a sense of direction and self-accountability. I learned that talent can only take you so far; it’s the effort you put in when no one’s watching that determines your success. That mindset continues to guide me in school, business, and life. Team sports also instilled in me the value of unity and mentorship. I remember being a young player looking up to older teammates who took the time to teach, encourage, and correct me. As I grew older, I naturally stepped into that leadership role for others. Whether it was staying after practice to help a struggling teammate with their swing or giving a halftime speech to rally the team, I discovered how meaningful it is to pour into others. These moments taught me that true leadership is not about being the loudest voice, but about lifting others up and setting an example worth following. Some of my most impactful lessons came in the face of failure. Losing a big game or getting benched after a slump humbled me,but it also built my resilience. Sports taught me how to lose with grace, reflect, and come back stronger. It’s that same resilience I carried into my entrepreneurial journey, where setbacks are inevitable but never final. Today, I’m a first-generation Mexican-American college graduate, a young entrepreneur, and someone pursuing a future in private wealth management. My goals are deeply rooted in service, helping others build stability and generational wealth, especially in underrepresented communities like the one I came from. The discipline, teamwork, and resilience I learned on the field now shape how I approach my career, my relationships, and my long-term vision. The late Coach Brett Brakel believed in mentorship, perseverance, and community, values I strive to live by every day. I hope to carry those lessons forward by continuing to mentor others, staying grounded in my purpose, and building something bigger than myself. Just like in sports, it’s not about the spotlight, it’s about playing your role, trusting your team, and never giving up.

My name is Jeremy Hannon, and I am a proud Hispanic entrepreneur and future financial professional, shaped by the values of hard work, resilience, and faith. My Hispanic family background has been one of the greatest influences on my life, and I truly believe that without it, I would not have the character, drive, or vision that define me today. Growing up in a Hispanic household, I learned from an early age that success is not given, it is earned through sacrifice, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in oneself. My father, who came from nothing, is a living example of that truth. As a successful entrepreneur, he built his business from the ground up through sheer determination, relentless hard work, and a refusal to let obstacles define his future. Watching his journey firsthand showed me that circumstances do not dictate destiny, commitment, integrity, and faith do. His example instilled in me a deep work ethic and a firm belief that no goal is too ambitious when you are willing to put in the effort and stay grounded in your values. Being Hispanic also taught me the importance of community, gratitude, and lifting others as you climb. In my family, success has never been seen as an individual accomplishment; it has always been a collective victory. I grew up in a culture where every achievement was shared, celebrated, and used as a platform to help others rise. This perspective has shaped how I see leadership, not as a position of authority, but as a responsibility to serve others and create opportunities where they may not have existed before. If I were not Hispanic, I know I would not see the world with the same eyes. My heritage has given me a deep sense of empathy for those who face barriers, an appreciation for the beauty and strength in diversity, and a fierce commitment to resilience in the face of adversity. It has also taught me to find pride in my roots and to never forget the sacrifices that made my opportunities possible. As I pursue my MBA and work toward building my own private wealth management (PWM) firm, as well as developing a fintech app focused on financial literacy, I carry these lessons with me. Like my father, I dream of building something that not only creates personal success but also impacts generations to come. My goal is to help underrepresented individuals and families access the financial tools and education they need to build generational wealth. I want to honor the spirit of hard work, perseverance, and giving back that my Hispanic heritage and my family have modeled for me. Ultimately, my family’s story reminds me that success is not about where you start, it’s about the impact you leave behind. I am proud to come from a culture that taught me to work hard, dream big, and never forget to reach back and lift others along the way. My Hispanic heritage is not just part of who I am, it is the foundation for everything I hope to build in the future.

My name is Jeremy Hannon, and I am an aspiring financial professional, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for economic empowerment in underrepresented communities. I am currently applying to the McCombs School of Business to pursue my MBA, and this scholarship would play a critical role in helping me achieve my goals by easing the financial burden of graduate education. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the systemic financial inequalities that many families face. Limited access to financial resources and education prevents countless individuals from building generational wealth. This reality sparked a deep passion in me to become part of the solution. I aspire to open my own private wealth management (PWM) firm that focuses specifically on serving underrepresented and underserved communities, providing them with the tools, education, and personalized support necessary to break cycles of poverty and establish lasting financial stability. In addition to building a PWM firm, I am developing a fintech app designed to offer financial literacy education to individuals aged 18 and older. This app will focus on core topics such as budgeting, investing, credit building, and long-term financial planning. My goal is to make financial knowledge accessible, practical, and empowering, especially for those who have historically been left out of traditional financial education opportunities. Technology can be a powerful equalizer, and I want to leverage it to remove barriers and create opportunities for economic growth across all communities. Pursuing my MBA at McCombs is a critical step toward realizing these ambitions. McCombs’ strong reputation in finance, entrepreneurship, and social innovation, combined with its supportive network, will provide me with the skills, insights, and relationships I need to lead effectively and ethically. I am eager to learn from experienced professors, collaborate with like-minded peers, and take advantage of the school’s emphasis on leadership development and real world impact. Beyond my personal career goals, I am committed to making a positive impact on my community. I plan to offer mentorship programs for young people interested in finance and entrepreneurship, provide pro bono financial planning workshops, and create internship opportunities when I have my firm to help develop the next generation of diverse financial leaders. My vision is not just to manage wealth, but to cultivate it, transforming communities one family, one investment, and one opportunity at a time. Receiving this scholarship would be instrumental in helping me cover the cost of my MBA tuition and focus fully on my studies and community initiatives. I view education as a gift and a responsibility: a gift because of the doors it opens, and a responsibility because of the ways it equips me to serve others. I am determined to use the education I receive to uplift those around me, build systems that promote economic justice, and inspire others to dream bigger for their financial futures. The next generation has the power to reshape the world, and I am determined to be part of that change, helping to build a future where everyone, regardless of background, has the knowledge and opportunity to thrive.

Why I Chose Higher Education & How I Prepared as a First-Gen Student As a first-generation college student, the decision to pursue higher education was never just about earning a degree — it was about creating a new legacy. I come from a hardworking family that instilled the value of perseverance, but like many first-generation students, I didn’t grow up with a blueprint for navigating college. Still, I saw higher education as the key to unlocking opportunities my family never had. It became not just a goal, but a personal mission. Growing up, I watched my parents work long hours to support us, often sacrificing their own dreams so that my siblings and I could have more choices. They didn’t have the chance to complete college, but they always encouraged me to aim higher. Their belief in me, combined with my own curiosity and drive, motivated me to pursue a path that would allow me to lead, uplift others, and ultimately break generational cycles. Higher education represented both freedom and responsibility — the freedom to explore new ideas, and the responsibility to use my education to make a difference. To prepare myself for college, I knew I had to be proactive. Without the benefit of inherited knowledge about the college process, I took it upon myself to research admissions, scholarships, and degree pathways. I reached out to advisors, joined leadership organizations, and surrounded myself with mentors who could guide me. I developed a mindset of resourcefulness and grit — traits I’ve continued to lean on throughout my academic journey. Now, as a business student with a 4.0 GPA at the University of Texas Permian Basin, I’ve fully committed myself to maximizing the opportunity I’ve been given. I’ve earned certifications in Microsoft Excel and Social Media Marketing, joined the Toigo Foundation’s LIFE program for future finance leaders, and led as Vice President of Operations at my own small business. I’m also studying for my Series 7 and 66 licenses, preparing to build a career in wealth management and financial technology. My dream is to eventually launch a fintech platform that improves financial literacy for underserved communities — especially for families like mine, who often face barriers to understanding or accessing financial tools. I want to make personal finance less intimidating, more inclusive, and a pathway to generational wealth. Higher education is equipping me with the skills, network, and confidence to make that vision real. Being a first-generation college student means more than being the first to graduate — it means being the first to pave the road. The first to navigate the unknown. The first to set the bar higher for everyone who comes after. I take that responsibility seriously, and every class I attend, every opportunity I pursue, is part of a larger promise: to honor my family’s sacrifices, to fulfill my potential, and to open the door wider for others. Higher education is not just a chapter in my story — it is the foundation for everything I am building. And I’m just getting started.