Last year senior Brianna Polenz was awarded the Horatio Alger Association scholarship, which earned her $25,000 and a paid trip to Washington D.C. Unlike most Scholarships, the criteria is based less on academics, though it was a consideration when it came to the last of the finalists. Instead it was need based and awarded to students who show determination, integrity and perseverance, as well as a financial need.

Polenz’s parents were severe drug addicts, so she was adopted by her grandparents when she was young.
“Having a parent come in and out of your life and nearly dying like seven times is a little traumatic.”
Despite facing the unimaginable, Polenz’s determination to be the best earned her accolades that few can hope to achieve in high school.
“I maintained a 4.0 as well as getting my associates degree.”
On March 29th, Polenz traveled to D.C. While on her trip, she and other students went to the supreme court and were the first group in history to see the inner chamber without being part of a court case. Her group also attended an inauguration ceremony for the 13 new members of the association, as well as a separate ceremony honoring the students who were awarded scholarships and their achievements.

“We met with members of the association and talked with them about where they came from, who they are now, how they did that and to get advice,” Polenz said. “My interest in psychiatry stems from a general interest in abnormal psychology as well as personal experience. I’ve witnessed the impacts untreated mental illness has on not only the individual, but their friends, family and loved ones around them, and have had my own struggles with depression and anorexia nervosa.”
Polenz is using this scholarship as well as many others she’s been awarded due to her academics and family situation to further her education at the University of Michigan studying pre-medicine to eventually become a psychiatrist.
“I want to be able to help others, particularly adolescents and young adults, get the help they need to live the best life they can,” Polenz said. “I chose the University of Michigan as my undergraduate school, since it’s close to home and has an amazing medical school.”