Starting Her Own Legacy

STARTING A LEGACY OF HER OWN

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.

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.

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!”