Brandi Wahl, a senior majoring in Hospitality, Recreation and Resort Management at UWF, is one of many students who may benefit from the generosity of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation. At the young age of 22, Brandi has had her share of tough times. When Brandi was 14, she moved to South Florida with her mother and nephew, and was homeless for three months before receiving aid from the state. Determined to succeed in life, Brandi made good grades in high school which helped her secure scholarships and grants to attend UWF. “Without financial aid, I wouldn’t have been able to attend college, which would have destroyed my dreams,” said Brandi.

Attending college has been equally trying for Brandi due to the death of both her father and grandfather during her sophomore year. These tragedies prompted her to withdraw from three classes, which affected her eligibility to receive financial aid her junior year. Consequently, Brandi worked 40 hours a week to pay for school; however, this had an adverse affect on her grades. Now a senior, she continues to work and go to school fulltime. Brandi will be the first in her family to graduate college.

The Johnson Scholarship Foundation Challenge, in partnership with the University of West Florida, will have a profound impact on hundreds of disadvantaged UWF students, like Brandi, providing them with educational opportunity and hope. UWF is honored to work with the Johnson Scholarship Foundation to make a quality education more accessible to disadvantaged students.

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