Brehm Scholars Program: Our Scholars
Our Scholars
Class of 2022 - 2024
Fordson Class of 2022
Tatiana Blurton
How has being admitted to UM and receiving the Brehm Scholarship helped you in your desire to achieve your goals?
"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."
Assmaa Eidy
What advice do you have for Fordson high school students who wish to be selected for the Brehm Scholarship?
"Every student is on their own unique path, so never expect or limit yourself to be within the bounds of someone else's potential. Measure yourself to your own degree and abilities. Students aiming for the Brehm should be aiming to purely cultivate an education built on their own passions and interests. Your fellow peers are your community, they are not your competition, learn from each other and utilize these relationships. Connecting with your community and pursuing genuine activities and learning opportunities will give you the substance that holistically sets you apart by formulating you into a diverse individual"
Leila Kassem
What advice do you have for Fordson high school students who wish to be selected for the Brehm Scholarship?
"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."
Ahmed Shareef
What advice do you have for Fordson high school students who wish to be selected for the Brehm Scholarship?
"Fall in love with learning. Many people treat their education like a chore, something that they must finish before moving on to doing what they enjoy. Spending most of your day procrastinating and thinking about how you must complete some assignments before getting to enjoy your day is not the right mindset, you will find yourself rushing and putting in little effort into your education. While reading an SAT prep book I found a piece of advice that I have still been thinking about every day. It was to make yourself love the reading passages in the reading section, even if you would never read such passages in your free time. This advice applies to much more than just the SAT. When I was at home with 2 chapters to read for AP Chemistry, a project to finish for AP Government, an essay to write for AP Language and Composition, and an exam to study for in AP Psychology, I did not feel sad or annoyed. I enjoyed learning and preparing for all my courses instead. Make education one of your hobbies."
Fordson Class of 2023
Hadia Chami
What advice do you have for Fordson high school students who wish to be selected for the Brehm Scholarship?
"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."
Youssef Cherri
What do you hope to do after college graduation and/or how do you want to use your degree?
"I hope to become an engineering researcher. My goal is to benefit the world using the knowledge and experiences that I was and will be blessed with. I plan to make it my life’s main focus to help nations, especially third-world countries, to have a higher quality of life. Everyone deserves clean water, affordable energy, and access to education. I will achieve this by becoming an entrepreneur, a world leader, and most importantly, a true engineer that solves today’s problems."
Aya Kabbout
What advice do you have for Fordson high school students who wish to be selected for the Brehm Scholarship?
"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."
Fordson Class of 2024
Rawan Fakih
What advice do you have for Fordson High School students who wish to be selected for the Brehm Scholarship?
"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."
Leanne Nasser
How has being admitted to UM and receiving the Brehm Scholarship helped you in your desire to reach your goals?
"Attending the University of Michigan has always been my dream since a very young age. As a child, I was drawn to the vibrant maize and blue colors that filled stadiums and now as a high school senior, I am drawn to the amazing academics and extracurriculars that are offered to me there. The only dream I’ve held longer than my dream of attending the University of Michigan would be my dream of becoming a doctor and serving every underserved community around me. It is this goal that I see most obtainable through the University of Michigan. It is the Brehm scholarship that has once again allowed me to dream of accomplishing the goals I have set for myself to achieve and has allowed me to commit myself entirely to both my education and the honor of being named a Brehm Scholar."
Hassan Kassem
What advice do you have for Fordson high school students who wish to be selected for the Brehm Scholarship?
"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."