Nicholas Braswell Strong Roots Scholarship

The Richmond Defense Firm 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 2021 – 2022 school year.*

Criteria for Eligibility and Selection

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

A) 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.*

B) All candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater.

C) All candidates must possess an interest in community building, as demonstrated by their essay and resumé.