As the oldest of six siblings, Bria’nna had a lot of responsibility in supporting her family. She describes herself as someone who isn’t afraid to take that responsibility and likes learning through experience. To learn more about photography and becoming an entrepreneur, Bria’nna connected with a local photographer who captured her senior photos and has become a mentor. Bria’nna’s motivation is evident when she describes her hopes for the future. “I want to have something of my own built, so when I get old enough and have kids, grandkids of my own, they have something to build on. I want to be the start of my own legacy,” she said.
STARTING A LEGACY O F H E R OW N
Meet Bria’nna Hoffman, the first recipient from the Pullen/Lambers Family Memorial Scholarship. A new student at Grand Rapids Community College, she is studying business and hopes to establish her own photography venture in the future.
Like RP was an influence to Anthony, Wyoming High School teacher Jonathan Bushen was an important figure in Bria’nna’s life. “He influenced me into the career I want to get into,” she said. In his business classes and through the Business Professionals of America club, Bria’nna learned about important topics like accounting and personal finance. It was in Bushen’s class, on a “College Friday”— when students explore careers, work on applications and more— that Bria’nna learned about the Pullen/Lambers Family Memorial Scholarship opportunity. Bria’nna says she was shocked to learn she was the scholarship’s first recipient. “Wow, someone thinks I deserve it!” A.H.S.
SCHOLARSHIPS CREATE OPPORTUNITY 2020 SCHOLARSHIPS DATA
$1.16 MILLION
AWARDED THIS YEAR
75 YEARS OF
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUR STUDENTS
2 FUNDS AWARDED
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR
106
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS CRITICAL TO THE PROCESS
50% OF AWARDS TO STUDENTS OF COLOR 63% TO FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS 77% WILL ATTEND MICHIGAN SCHOOLS In addition to our traditional scholarships, our Challenge Scholars program partners with Grand Rapids Public Schools to increase educational opportunities for students on the West Side attending Union High School. The first class of Challenge Scholars graduated this year, with 64 students eligible for fouryear scholarships. All graduating seniors from Union have benefited from the holistic supports made available through Challenge Scholars.
PARTNERS in community | 5
THAT'S NOT ALL!
