Christian Bryant, Columbus, Georgia, 31901 Savannah College of Art and Design, incoming Freshman Fall 2026 by Christian

Christian Bryant, Columbus, Georgia, 31901 Savannah College of Art and Design, incoming Freshman Fall 2026 by Christian - July 2026 Scholarship Essay

My journey has included overcoming challenges related to my learning style. About three
years ago, I was diagnosed with a written language expressive disorder and received a 504 plan.
Through this process, I learned that I am most successful when I have the right tools and support,
including extended time, voice-to-text options, rephrased directions, and other accommodations.
SCAD stood out because its hands-on, creative learning environment allows students to
demonstrate knowledge through innovation and artistic expression. The structure of the classes
aligns with how I learn best and gives me the opportunity to succeed academically while
building my future career.
This experience has taught me that planning, asking for support, and continuing to work
toward a goal are important parts of success. I have learned that challenges can become
opportunities when you create a strategy and stay committed.
I have learned in Teen Advisors to be confident, that I can stand alone and do not have to
give in to peer pressure. I also learned to not let others sit alone. Teen advisors was started after a
young high school student committed suicide because they did not have any friends. The
organization vowed to never let anyone experience isolation again during middle and high school
years. A classroom could not have taught me to be mindful of how someone is doing. I got my
first glimpse of the power that comes in seeing yourself as someone and believing in yourself
when I worked with younger students through Teen Advisors and Big Brothers Big Sisters. I was
that younger student once. There was somebody who invested in me. This investment was not
lost; this investment was multiplied, and I share that with you.
My resilience was developed during service, too. My language disorder affects writing
and processing. That challenge quietly dented my confidence, and for a long time. However,
showing up for others, being trusted, and being needed reminded me that my voice has value
even when it shows up differently. Visual art, mentorship, and creative work taught me to speak
powerfully on my own terms.
I often am able to express my words through my art when language takes me longer. My
accommodations in school my last two years were an adjustment, but I learned that I need extra
time on assignments and directions read twice to help me. I had to learn that I was the only one
judging me. I learned that everyone has individual strengths that can help others, and that I can
help others, through mentoring, creativity and being part of a group. Going through this
experience with others of different backgrounds also helped me to learn the importance of
collaboration, responsibility, and perseverance. This scholarship will help to do that.