My Big Brother by Issac

My Big Brother by Issac - October 2019 Scholarship Essay

I've known Ian for as long as I can remember.

I grew up in the Catholic church, and Ian was an older gentleman who I would always see every Sunday. My mom had a lot of respect for him. He's a big guy (6'6) so he commands a lot of respect naturally. But he was always extremely friendly and kind. He was a family man, he's been married to his wife who would come with him every Sunday as well.

When I was in high school, Ian and some of his fraternity brothers in Phi Beta Sigma created a youth version of the fraternity to mirror the values of his beloved frat. The young men who became members of this club were the other young men I grew up in the church with. In this group, college readiness was emphasized, school was a driving force, and community as black men was solidified. As we would have study hall and learn how to apply to colleges and scholarships, Ian and his brothers would bring us into spaces and events that would present black men in higher manners than we would normally see being young black kids in inner city Seattle. When I graduated high school, Ian and his brothers awarded me with a scholarship to college because of my involvement. He wanted me to succeed.

I attended Washington State University, where my grades suffered so much that I was forced to drop out because no financial aid would be awarded to me. I could tell Ian was disappointed, but he never expressed to me in a demeaning way unlike many others. Through the gap years between school, Ian would constantly check on me, make sure that I was still looking for a focus. When I finally decided I was going back to school to get into law, Ian was one of the first people I told.

I decided to go back to Seattle Central Community College. I paid my way completely through the year and received my AA. I applied to a handful of schools to transfer to, only to get rejected because of my combined GPA from Seattle Central AND WSU. I was devastated. I told Ian, and he told me not to get discouraged because this is all a part of my rightful path. This man really knew how to get through to me sensibly. I attend Seattle Central for one quarter to retake classes, and after talking to an admissions adviser at Seattle U of my application denial, she did some digging and made me aware that I can get into Seattle U if I receive a 3.0 for the term. So I strived and received a 4.0.

In my first quarter at Seattle U, I assumed my costs would be taken care of. I was unfortunately presented with my highest bill for school in one quarter, $2,484. I told Ian of this number and was again devastated not knowing how I could strive for this number AND keep a great GPA. Soon after, Ian talked to his fraternity who were so gracious to grant me 2 scholarships totaling to $2,000. As I continue to struggle with paying for school, this quarter my out of pocket balance being 3,800, Ian is to this day helping me find resources in order to remedy this financial struggle. I talk to him almost weekly and when I get good grades I'm very quick to brag to him, since he wants to see me succeed so badly.

I've never met anyone that I am more grateful of for keeping me on this path. When my school year ended and Ian took me to a celebration dinner, I asked him, what would you like from me big bro, how can I help you? He responded by saying keep on your path and I'll forever be grateful.

He's one of my biggest inspirations for continuing school. Thank you for reading.