Nicholas Braswell Strong Roots Scholarship

Virginia Defense Group strives to serve and defend the citizens of the Richmond area and has developed a strong connection with the people and places of eastern Virginia.

It takes time, effort, and patience to build a nurturing relationship with one’s community. In today’s world, there are so many opportunities to live a transient life, to move from place to place and never settle down. Many of us seek a sense of community, but there’s usually a small group of people really working to build that sense of unity in the place that we call “home.”

As day-to-day life becomes increasingly digital and experiences become increasingly remote, discussion about what it takes to build healthy communities becomes more and more important. We are proud to sponsor the Strong Roots Scholarship and Essay Contest as a way to promote discussion about the meaning of community in the digital age and as a way to sponsor educational opportunities for individuals who are dedicated to building strong communities where passions and careers can take root.

This essay contest and the associated $500 scholarship is open to individuals throughout the country who are enrolled in any accredited post-secondary institution during the 2024 – 2025 school year.

Criteria for Eligibility and Selection

To be eligible for the Strong Roots Scholarship, essay contestants must adhere to the following criteria:

• All candidates must be currently enrolled (or planning to enroll) in an accredited post-secondary program, which includes: community colleges, private or public undergraduate colleges, and universities, private or public graduate degree programs, law programs, and business programs.
• All candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater.
• All candidates must possess an interest in community building, as demonstrated by their essay and resumé.

High School Seniors can apply for this scholarship.

Application Criteria

• The candidate must fill out the form below with all necessary information
• The candidate must submit a 500-word essay response to the prompt: How is the meaning of the word community changing in today’s world, and what does that mean for people who wish to build strong, healthy communities?
• Please note that all essays will be checked for AI writing. If AI writing is deemed present in the essay, the application will be denied.
• The candidate must submit a professional resumé that lists their experience, both professional and academic.
• The candidate must submit a transcript from their current school. First-year college students, graduate students, or individuals who have recently transferred schools may submit an unofficial transcript from their current school, as well as the most recent official transcript from their prior school. High school students must also submit proof of acceptance to their college or university.
• Preference will be given to students either from or attending secondary school in the state.
• The official deadline for this scholarship essay contest is August 31, 2025. Any applications sent after this date will not be considered.

The recipient of the 2025 Strong Roots Scholarship will be chosen during the month following the scholarship deadline. Please send any scholarship questions to scholarships@virginiacriminallawyernow.com  with the subject line 2025 Strong Roots Scholarship.