FOSSI: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hello, my name is Ryan Pennington, and I am an honors student-athlete from Laurel, Maryland. I attended St. Vincent Pallotti High School in Laurel, Maryland where I served in several leadership roles within the Student Government Association such as Freshman Class President and Senior Class
Treasurer. I also served as National Honors Society President, school ambassador, student assembly speaker, football and basketball team captain, and union leader.
Receiving this scholarship is important to me because it shows me that people are investing money and time into my future, enabling me to accomplish great things.
Attending a small catholic school helped me grow in my faith, academically, and as a person. Each year at school, I received the Certificate of High Honor Award for having a minimum of 3.5 GPA and the Principal’s Award of Excellence for having a 4.0 minimum GPA.
Outside of school, I am a leader with the teen ministry at my church where I help plan and lead events. During the pandemic, I recorded YouTube videos to keep teens connected and encouraged. I also started a math tutoring business for kids that were having a hard time learning virtually during the pandemic.
In the fall, I will attend North Carolina Agriculture and Technology State University and pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. My goal is to, one day, have a nonprofit organization that exposes kids in underprivileged areas to STEM and STEM careers.
FOSSI: Why is receiving the FOSSI scholarship important for you?
Receiving this scholarship is important to me because it shows me that people are investing money and time into my future, enabling me to accomplish great things. It is also important because it shows that people believe in me and my future contributions to the STEM field. This will have a huge impact in helping me achieve my professional and personal goals because it gives me the motivation to keep going and to inspire others.
FOSSI: Fast forward – where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, after getting some practical work experience, I want to take that experience and start my own nonprofit organization that exposes children in underserved communities to STEM. By exposing them to STEM careers, I aim to motivate them and help them realize they are intelligent and capable of becoming scientists, engineers, inventors, entrepreneurs and more. I want to show them that they can change the world.
FOSSI: Share a few fun facts about yourself.
- I have spoken at the White House for a panel discussion about STEM.
- I have been a two-sport athlete my whole life.
- I met the inventor of the super soaker gun and was able to introduce him during a Black History program to honor inventors.
- My nickname is Smiley.
Hear more from Ryan Pennington about why attending an HBCU is important to him.
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