Bryent Smothermon PTSD Awareness Scholarship

$1,000
1 winner$1,000
Open
Application Deadline
May 14, 2024
Winners Announced
Jun 14, 2024
Education Level
Graduate, Undergraduate
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Eligibility Requirements
Background:
Military veteran or child of a military veteran
Background:
Military veteran or child of a military veteran

In 2021, the world lost a selfless, kind, and thoughtful son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and best friend when Bryent Smothermon passed away.

Born on Flag Day, his love of the military, country, and the sense of comradery he felt led Bryent to have an accomplished career in the military before he left this world too early. 

Bryent, or as his close friends and family would call him B or Smo, was the life of the party. He was a fierce protector of those closest to him, a miracle worker with kids, an animal lover, a gentle soul, and most of all was behind many laughs and happy times. He was always focused on ensuring everyone around him was having a good time and laughing. Bryent had strong values, lifelong friendships, and great memories that were created in his short time on earth. 

To honor his legacy, the Bryent Smothermon PTSD Awareness Scholarship exists to support military veterans and their children and spouses who have suffered from PTSD due to their service. All military vets, military spouses, and children of military vets currently in school are eligible. 

To apply, please write about how your experience with military service-related PTSD has affected you. Please also discuss how you hope to use your experience to help other veterans who are currently suffering from PTSD.

Selection Criteria:
Essay, Veteran, PTSD, Ambition
Published June 13, 2023
$1,000
1 winner$1,000
Open
Application Deadline
May 14, 2024
Winners Announced
Jun 14, 2024
Education Level
Graduate, Undergraduate
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Essay Topic

What have you learned about yourself or the world around you through your experiences with service-related PTSD? How do you hope to use your experience to help other veterans who are currently suffering from PTSD?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Noelle King
McNeese State UniversityRAGLEY, LA
michael howe
Bellevue UniversityBurlington, IA
Upon retiring from the US Army in 2014 I found my transition to the civilian lifestyle to be extremely difficult and a near-impossible adjustment. What I failed to accept was the fact that I had PTSD and other mental health issues. Instead of accepting these medical conditions and seeking help, I leaned on alcohol to temporarily take away the pain. I faced many dark nights where I contemplated ending my life to escape reality and the numbness of everyday life. In September 2019 I found myself intoxicated and blacked out at a house party where a shooting homicide occurred. I was within arms reach of the man who was shot and suffering from a sucking chest wound. Upon hearing the gunshots my consciousness returned and I was back to reality except there was now a man dying at my feet. I attempted to apply pressure to his wound and apply CPR however, the man succumbed to his injuries and died a short time later. Following this traumatic event, my PTSD took over my life and altered my everyday reality. I finally decided that I needed to seek help if I wanted to regain control of my life and live it with any sense of comfort. Since that night I have been sober and receiving help for my PTSD regularly. In making these necessary changes my life has taken a complete 360-degree turn for the better and I like the person that I have begun. I have maintained regular employment at the management level in manufacturing plants since 2017 while going back to school. In 2020 I decided to further my education and went back to school for my Master's degree in Homeland Security with a concentration in emergency management. In 2021 and 2022 I found myself advocating regularly for PTSD awareness and other invisible wounds. More and more often I found others confiding in me for help as they had seen the changes that I had made and how drastically my life had changed. At the end of 2022, I started up "Change Your Perspective LLC" ( a life coaching LLC). Following the start of this life coaching venture I began looking at going back to school for Mental Health Counseling as I feel that it is my calling. In December 2022 I submitted my admissions packet to Bellevue University to enroll in their MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. I plan to complete this degree and become an LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) working primarily with soldiers who suffer from PTSD and other invisible wounds. I feel with my background and living what I have lived through it will give me the necessary tools to make a difference in many people's lives.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is May 14, 2024. Winners will be announced on Jun 14, 2024.