HER-STORY BEHIND THE AWARDS
BEAR WITH US.
Established in 2021, the BEE, YOU Scholarship Awards invest in working students who are balancing employment, education, and the pursuit of what’s next. Through multiple $1,500 awards, we help working high-school seniors and currently enrolled college students cover tuition, books, housing, transportation, and other college expenses. Funds are distributed directly to recipients, giving them flexibility to address their needs.
Our investment extends beeyond the award. Scholars have remained connected—sharing milestones, seeking guidance, and allowing us the privilege of continuing to pour into their journeys.
The purpose is personal for founder Brittany N. Stephenson, who graduated a semester early from Baylor University more than 15 years ago. Before her freshman classes began, she moved to Waco, Texas, to find work—eventually holding three full-time jobs while taking 18 credit hours a semester.
Brittany understood the importance of working hard on the clock and in the classroom. She also knew all too well the meaning of a “sad bear,” Baylor’s financial aid indicator, and remembers the moment she needed just $1,500 to start classes.
SPOILER ALERT: The Bear eventually smiled again when she remitted payment, but the value of that $1,500 has never left her memory.
That experience inspires our continued commitment to cultivating potential through opportunity, encouragement, and access to resources. These awards recognize students’ determination and help them keep moving forward.
Brittany dedicates the BEE, YOU Scholarship Awards to her late maternal grandfather, Everette “Pop” Stephenson.