2024 Opportunity To Grow Scholarship
The attorneys at the Williams Law Group, LLC understand firsthand the benefits a college education can provide both academically and socially. Education opens doors that might otherwise be closed, providing the ability to grow professionally and develop social bonds that may last a lifetime. That is why we are excited to offer a $1,000 scholarship to help a student pursue their educational goals.
At Williams Law Group, LLC, we have experienced the benefits of higher education, and we view academics as a way to contribute positively to society. We understand that college is less accessible to some due to financial restrictions. We believe strongly in giving back to our community and do not want to see students give up on their dreams because they are unable to pay for school or supplies.
The Opportunity to Grow Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship available to students who meet the scholarship eligibility requirements below and who best describe in a 750-1,000 word essay what community means to them and how they demonstrated a commitment to both their school and the larger community.
Eligibility
- The scholarship is open to any current high school senior, college student or graduate student who is a legal resident of the United States residing in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia and who is enrolled in a two to five-year post-secondary institution.
- A minimum GPA is not required.
Application Requirements
- A 750 – 1,000 word essay answering the following questions: What does your community mean to you? How have you demonstrated a commitment to both your school and larger community?
- Professional resumé that lists their experience, both professional and academic.
- Unofficial transcript from their current school. First-year college students, graduate students, or individuals who have recently transferred schools may submit an unofficial transcript from their current school, as well as their most recent official transcript from their prior school. High school students must also submit proof of acceptance to their college or university.
The recipient of the Opportunity to Grow Scholarship will be chosen during the month following the scholarship deadline.
Application Deadline and Instructions:
To be eligible for this scholarship, candidates must email their full application (including the essay, resumé, and transcript) by December 31, 2024. Any applications sent after this date will not be considered.
Scholarship applications should be sent to contact@awilliamslawgroup.com with the subject line:
[First and Last Name] – 2024 Opportunity to Grow Scholarship Application.
Check out our past winners below.
Opportunity to Grow Scholarship Winners
2023 Winner: Christian Torres
We are thrilled to announce that Christian Torres has been selected as the distinguished recipient of our Opportunity to Grow Scholarship for 2023! Christian’s outstanding credentials and commitment to excellence have truly set him apart.
Christian grew up in Denver Harbor, an underserved community on the east side of Houston, Texas. Growing up, he always wanted to visit a place to learn new and exciting things beyond the school’s daily curriculum. Unfortunately, he never had this opportunity, as those opportunities were not available to children in his area. The year before Christian started high school, his family moved out of the neighborhood.
Although he was now miles away, he still felt a strong connection to his old neighborhood. He knew there was something that he needed to do to help future generations of children like him excel. It was then that he decided he wanted to pursue a career in the construction industry. In doing so, he could build facilities that provide services to underserved children. These children deserve to know that other opportunities await them, and he wants to give them this chance.
Over the next ten years, he hopes to obtain a bachelor’s degree in construction management with a minor in business at the University of Houston and gain enough experience through internships to work for a construction company in field engineering, as well as achieving his goal of someday owning a successful construction company to fulfill his mission of helping underserved communities. His immediate focus would be to build learning centers and sports training facilities that provide a safe environment for children to expand their knowledge of new and exciting fields and review basics like math, English, and science. He also wants to start an organization that renovates homes for the elderly in underserved communities.
2022 Winner: Brandon Nesbit
I am Brandon Nesbit, an incoming First-Year at the University of Virginia intending to pursue a B.S. in Commerce. I am a current senior at South Lakes High School in Virginia, where I am involved in various academic, business-related, and cultural organizations.
Since 2020, I have advocated for youth financial literacy as the Founder of IMENO, an educational initiative that accumulated 1.35 million views and 3,020 subscribers within two years before winning Incfile’s Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Grant.
In early 2023, IMENO was admitted into BizWorld’s Young Entrepreneur Success! Program, where we plan to expand financial education through a startup accelerator.
At Junior Achievement, I lead as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance of student-run companies. Heading finance and accounting at our company—a former JA national finalist—we grossed over $5,500 in revenue and donated over $2,170 to several charities.
In addition to Junior Achievement, I serve as an officer and national competitor of South Lakes High’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter. In the 2022 Securities & Investments event, I attained second place at the National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Chicago.
Beyond business, I have been immersed in martial arts since age five. In particular, I am an avid Taichi enthusiast and athlete. Whether it’s competing in competitions or practicing for the benefits of meditation, I hope to continue Taichi in the future!
In college, I can’t wait to explore academic pathways with the incredible support of the Opportunity to Grow Scholarship!
Reaction Statement: “I am grateful and honored to be selected for the 2022 Opportunity to Grow Scholarship. I deeply admire the Williams Law Group for providing funding to empower students! By reducing the cost burden of college, this scholarship will enable me to explore academic opportunities and promote financial literacy through IMENO throughout the future. Thank you for the incredible opportunity!”
2021 Winner: Aditi Sengupta
Aditi Sengupta is a senior at Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, NC. In the spring of 2020, when the world was locked down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she observed that it severely impacted the education of children, especially elementary school students. Along with her younger brother, Aditi formed Xcelerate NC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to accelerate the growth of young minds and help them excel.
Through Xcelerate NC, Aditi has had the privilege to work with children around the world. She has conducted public speaking workshops and camps in the USA, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and India. She also teaches weekly sessions in the USA to raise funds for causes close to her heart, such as breast cancer awareness and access to education. Aditi believes that public speaking builds up confidence, improves communication skills, and helps in overall personal development. She is dedicated to supporting students in discovering their unique voices.
Outside of teaching, Aditi enjoys singing and playing the guitar. She is trained in many Western styles and loves exploring Indo-Western fusion. She holds a Second-Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon-Do. Aditi has also been a debater for six years and currently leads her school’s Mock Trial and Debate teams.
As she pursues her higher education, Aditi wants to utilize her public speaking background to advocate for others. Her experience with Xcelerate NC has shown her the importance of education. As an aspiring attorney, she hopes to reduce barriers to education for students around the world who lack access to technology and infrastructure.
2020 Winner: Lindsay Wheeler
Lindsay Wheeler is a senior at Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas, NV. Early on she understood the importance of volunteering and giving back to others. Her experience in the community as a member of the National Charity League allowed her to identify an unmet need which led to her founding Project Dot, a non-profit that supplies feminine hygiene items to help homeless and low-income women and girls in Southern Nevada.
For years she struggled in school and couldn’t explain why. The summer before her Junior year in high school she was diagnosed with a form of dyslexia. Her success with Project Dot gave her the confidence and perseverance to push through and focus on her educational therapy to gain the skills she needed to succeed.
In her spare time (and prior to the pandemic), Lindsay enjoys playing club volleyball, playing guitar, shopping for vintage vinyl records and traveling. She is president of her school’s National Arts Honor Society and has received awards in local art competitions through her work in the International Baccalaureate art program.
Lindsay plans to pursue a career in psychology to help children with special needs, like her, to make sure they have the resources and programs to succeed.
She has learned that she has a powerful voice and is looking forward to going off to college and building her network to change the world!
Reaction Statement: “I am honored to have been selected for this scholarship. I am passionate about our community and it’s humbling to be recognized for the work that I do. This award shows that I can be an inspiration to others even though I am just a teen. My work won’t stop when I go off to college as I hope to continue to help others for many years to come.”