In His Words

Baden Brumbaugh | Bellevue West Scholarship Recipient

The Bellevue Public Schools Foundation Scholarship will support my college endeavors, as I am covering my college expenses by myself. I plan on attending the Business Honors Academy at University of Nebraska – Lincoln, pursuing a major related to economics and finance. The reason I am attending this college and majoring in business is because of my experience in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). I led several major FBLA projects in my school and community including the creation of The Thunder Brew (Bellevue West’s first coffee shop) and the creation of the district’s first composting program, Project Revitalize. These experiences helped develop me into a leader and made me realize that I had found my calling as a member of the business world.

The most important thing I learned in high school was to put myself out there and always say yes to opportunity, while this might seem stereotypical it’s true. As a freshman I was shy and didn’t really want anybody to look at me, but quickly realized that I wouldn’t be preparing myself for college or my future career if I remained in the background. I began speaking up more and was pushed by several upperclassmen to apply for leadership positions in the activities I was a part of. I decided to follow their encouragement and it was the best decision I ever made. I started to make more friends, to develop newfound confidence, and to become the person I wanted to be at this point in my life. All it took was me realizing that I had to put myself out there and pursuing the opportunities that would allow me to do just that.

I credit my success to Mrs. Hinkle and Mrs. Britten, also known as my FBLA advisors, mentors, and basically second parents at this point. They have been there to help me do all of the projects that came to my mind, but also never held my hand throughout the process. They made sure I was independent and able to learn what it was like to lead, but always remained right behind me in case I ever needed guidance. Even through the hard times when I felt like giving up, they reminded me that I could achieve anything as long as I had the passion and determination to make it happen. They saw potential in me and are the reason that I have grown from a shy, timid freshman boy into a confident, business-minded individual.