Spring 2026 Winner of the Out-of-State Student Scholarship

Braden Meissner

It is our privilege to recognize Braden Meissner as the Spring 2026 recipient of the Out-of-State Student Scholarship. Driven by a commitment to education and supported by those who believe in him, Braden took a significant leap to pursue something greater.

Read Their Essay Here:

I left Alaska for Seattle so I could enroll at the University of Washington, and the shift has been the largest change I have known. In Alaska, daily life moved at a slower pace, and the surroundings were small and familiar. When I chose an out-of-state college, I gave up my home but also the feeling of certainty that came with it. Adapting to a new city, a large campus, and a routine I did not know has been hard, especially in my first year. Every day has brought something new to figure out, from finding my way around campus to understanding how to manage my time without my family nearby.

The toughest part of the move was leaving my family, especially my mother. She raised me alone, and we have always stayed close. All my life, she has backed me through school, hobbies, and the small challenges of growing up. Living far from her felt painful, and I quickly realized how much I relied on her presence. The choice to study outside Alaska carried a high price; I knew that going in. A room, food, and other costs rise fast, and money worries have stayed with us since the day we began the trip. It has been difficult to adjust to both the distance and the financial strain, but it has also made me more aware of the sacrifices she has made for me.

I will never forget the road we drove together from Alaska to Seattle. It stood for the space I was opening between the life I had and the one I was starting. The journey brought excitement, but it also felt heavy. Every mile reminded me that I was stepping into something completely new. The moment we said goodbye showed me that college had truly begun. That drive let me see how much my mother has given up so I could study, even when the cost has been high in dollars and in feelings. I carried a mix of nerves and anticipation for what was ahead, but I also felt motivated knowing that I had her support behind me.

When I reached Seattle, it took weeks before the new place stopped feeling alien. Buildings stood closer together, traffic moved faster than in my hometown, and the university grounds looked endless. Some evenings, I missed home and asked myself if I had chosen the wrong city. Each time that happened, I forced myself to learn something new—how to live without immediate help, how to plan a day, and also how to ask professors or staff for what I needed. I discovered that independence isn’t just about doing things alone; it’s also about knowing when to reach out and accept guidance.

To work through the change, I keep in mind the reason I applied to this school. I call my family every weekend, walk into the tutoring center when a class confuses me, and complete every assignment on time. Trouble comes with leaving home for college, but I treat every problem as a lesson and an opportunity to grow. I am learning to manage my time, organize my responsibilities, and handle challenges on my own. I will finish my degree to honor my mother, who gave up so much to make this possible, and to prove to myself that I can succeed, no matter how far from home I am.