Fall 2026 Winner of the Breaking New Ground Scholarship

Bryce Biyeba

Going into his senior year at the University of Maryland, Bryce is studying computer and information sciences. Bryce knows that gaining an education will offer valuable opportunities and a more stable, fulfilling future. We wish Bryce the best of luck as he completes his undergraduate education!

Read Their Essay Here:

Since education, in my opinion, signifies stability, service, and upward mobility, not just for myself but also for my family and community, I am working toward being a first-generation college graduate. Early on in life, I discovered that advancement is rarely unplanned, but develops through perseverance, selflessness, and the readiness to take on responsibilities before you are fully prepared. My approach to education, my job, and my long term professional objectives have all been influenced by these principles.

My academic career has been filled with dedication and intentional growth. Knowing that I was unable to depend on professional networks or inherited careers, I went into college determined to take advantage of every opportunity. I looked for organized programs that would expose me to fields where discipline, critical thinking, and moral decision making are crucial, such as technical training initiatives, leadership cohorts, and academic fellowships. These interactions sparked my interest in the interplay of technology, business, and public effect, especially the design of infrastructure and systems to provide more effective and fair solutions for people.

In order to support myself and obtain real world experience, I worked throughout high school before attending college. In order to help friends and younger students grasp their assignments and gain confidence in topics they found challenging, I tutored them. I learned communication skills, patience, and the responsibility that comes with being trusted by people from this. Working as a busser at Texas Roadhouse during my junior year taught me the value of dependability, urgency, and collaboration in a fast paced setting. I worked as a waiter at Chipotle throughout my senior year, juggling my academic obligations with time management, responsibility, and customer service. These were formative positions, but they were not glamorous. They reaffirmed the link between effort and result and anchored me in the importance of honest labor.

My ethical motive stems from accountability, as I feel a great responsibility to make the most of the chances I've been given to help people in a meaningful way. Emotionally, I am motivated by the need to set an example for my siblings and classmates and to alleviate financial strain on my family. It seems sense to me that the best way to gain stability and influence over the long run is via education. This blend of rationality, passion, and purpose is what keeps me going when things become tough.

My family's support has supported me through encouragement, dedication, and faith in my objectives rather than privilege. It is clear from their efforts that I am not the only one who has succeeded. Beyond that have been mentors, teachers, and community initiatives, who have given me exposure and direction when I didn't yet realize what I was capable of achieving. Since I want to contribute to the development of systems that benefit people, I am following a career path that combines business, technology, and service. Whether through applied technology, infrastructure, or finance, my objective is to support creative yet workable solutions. Being a first-generation college graduate is more than just a personal achievement, and I approach this role with appreciation, discipline, and intention.