Our Scholars

"For many years, it has been a dream of mine to attend the University of Michigan. I was thrilled when I received my acceptance letter, but soon after came dread when realizing the financial burden going to the university would place on myself and my family. While I was completely willing to take up work to support myself, I was aware of how difficult it would be to balance a job and my education, and I was afraid that I would not have the time to participate in any other extracurriculars on top of this workload. Therefore, receiving the Brehm Scholarship has been a huge weight off of my shoulders, as I can now fully dedicate myself to my education and engage in the vast amount of opportunities that the University of Michigan offers. As a result, my dream is much closer to becoming a reality, and the appreciation I feel for this is beyond words."

"For anyone who wishes to be selected for the Brehm Scholarship, my advice is to get involved in any way that feels important to you. Join clubs and do community service for reasons that mean something to you. Your genuine dedication to a cause or topic will make your application stand out from the rest. Also, do your research about the University of Michigan, and visit the campus if you can. Become excited to attend, and find out what would make U of M the greatest fit for you, and vice versa."

"To be selected for the Brehm Scholarship is to be selected as a representative of Fordson High and Mr. and Mrs. Brehm. Because of this, it is essential to demonstrate qualities of leadership, character, and involvement in the community, in addition to exemplary academics. I advise those who wish to be selected for such an honorable and prestigious scholarship to commit to pursuing a passion not only meaningful to oneself, but meaningful to the community, as well. Being involved in clubs, non-profit organizations, and passion projects are among the many ways to establish a strong presence in the community while demonstrating a dedication to those around you."

"To the students of Fordson High School who aspire to become Brehm Scholars, I recommend fostering a deep love for the pursuit of knowledge and actively seeking out opportunities that align with your passion for learning. Through tenacity, intellect, and leadership, establish communities and cultivate spaces for your passions to be shared with others. Embrace your interests with zeal and make sure what you do is something you genuinely enjoy doing as it will reflect on your college applications. Whether it involves creating a club, conducting research, or authoring a book, always stay true to your authentic self in your pursuits. By consistently demonstrating dedication and hard work, you will inevitably garner recognition which will create an outlet for you to be recognized as a Brehms Scholar."

"My advice for Fordson students is to put themselves out there with their desires and passions. I remember feeling uncertain at times, but pushing myself to engage with new activities and people really made a difference. Build connections with your peers and staff; they can become your mentors and friends who support you along the way. Focus more on the journey instead of the destination—enjoy the learning process and the experiences you gain, rather than just aiming for the end goal. Challenge yourself academically and personally, but also make sure to take care of yourself.

It’s important to recognize when you are spreading yourself too thin. There were times when I had to step back and prioritize my well-being, and it made me stronger and more focused. Take every day as an opportunity to learn something new, whether it's in the classroom or through your extracurricular activities. Get involved with clubs and organizations that interest you; these experiences not only make your high school years more enjoyable but also help you grow as a person.

These experiences will not only enrich your high school years but also make you a more compelling candidate for scholarships like the Brehm Scholarship. It's about showing that you are a well-rounded individual who is passionate, dedicated, and capable of making a positive impact."

"To give yourself the best chances to receive the Brehm Scholarship, it's important to have it in mind as early as possible, meaning before even entering Fordson. A lot of students think their freshmen year doesn't matter, and it ends up setting their GPA behind for the rest of high school. It is equally important that you take challenging classes as well; colleges can see if you got all As but chose to take the easiest classes available and it's not a great look. Beyond strictly academics, it is important to find passions in high school, whether it be a sport, club, or some sort of competition and pursue it as much as you can. Colleges like to see well rounded students, and that means having achievements that can't be seen on your report card."