Andrew Bryant Scholarship

I'm heading to Monticello, IL on Thursday night to present the 6th annual Andrew Bryant Scholarship to a graduating senior.

Author

TJ Jones
May 05, 2025

On Thursday night, Monticello (IL) High School will present the 6th annual Andrew Bryant Scholarship to a graduating senior. The recipient will receive $500 to support their next step in education. It’s one of my favorite nights of the year, as I get to return home and honor my late friend, Andrew.

Andrew was a childhood friend of mine that was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He passed away in 2011 while we were in 7th grade. Andrew was an incredible human and led an amazing life.

As I wrote my quick speech to present the scholarship, I felt it’d make sense to share with you all. The more people that can hear a piece of Andrew’s story, the better.

Tonight, I’m proud to be presenting the Andrew Bryant Scholarship to a graduating senior. This scholarship was created in memory of a dear friend and classmate of the 2016 class, Andrew Bryant. Andrew was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and passed away in 2011 at the age of 14. 

Despite his battle with Muscular Dystrophy, Andrew approached every day with his signature smile and taught others to persevere through daily challenges. He made a sincere effort to befriend everyone and helped numerous people understand the importance of unity. The legacy Andrew has left behind is a healthy reminder to appreciate each moment, care for those around us, and to pay it forward within our community. Andrew’s love for life and the ability to inspire hope still impacts countless individuals today, including myself. 

The Andrew Bryant Scholarship is presented to a student that is thoughtfully selected by faculty based on their outstanding character, positive impact, resilience, and overall attitude throughout their time at Monticello High School.

If you’d be interested in contributing to the Andrew Bryant Scholarship fund, you can contact me directly at [email protected] or 217.649.0775.

TJ