Doyon Foundation Board Members Wesley Roberts Dalton and Lorraine David look on as Ramy Brooks addresses the audience.
The following is a transcript from Raymond (Ramy) Brooks’ keynote address at Doyon Foundation’s 2009 scholarship award ceremony, held August 28 in Fairbanks, Alaska.
“No matter what the endeavor one takes on, they will face challenges. Those challenges can be daunting. Pursuing a college degree represents many challenges for those who take it on. Whether you are a traditional student attending right out of high school or a non-traditional student like myself, the financial hurdle that we each face can sometimes discourage the best of us. Two years ago, as I was deciding with my family if I should return to school or not, the financial burden it would place on our family made it hard to make the jump from financial security to a period of uncertainty in the pursuit of a dream. For myself, finding a financial solution was the first step in being able to make that leap. It was through a combination of working full-time, student loans, and generous scholarship programs like Doyon Foundations that made it possible. I can’t thank the generous donors enough for helping to open doors for students like myself that otherwise may not have had the opportunity. Over the past year, I kept my focus on the goal of achieving a degree in geological engineering so that I would no longer have to operate heavy equipment. A year ago, I felt trapped in a job that I no longer enjoyed, but today as I look ahead, I see doors opening up and unlimited opportunities. I would like to thank Doyon Foundation and the selection committee for giving me this opportunity. And all of the generous donors that make it possible for them to do that. With a full year behind me, I am seeing the fruits of my focus and dedication to my education. As this past year went on, I have searched for any financial opportunity to allow me to pursue my education. Late last winter, after working a full shift at the mine, I started to drive to Fairbanks to get to class on time. Halfway there, I started to doze off and nearly had a head-on with a semi. That afternoon, I talked with my wife Cathy and said that something had to give, I couldn’t keep up the pace. I said maybe I would have to quit school and just work. She helped me search for any scholarship opportunity, I went to my counselors, and anywhere else we could think of. I didn’t want to give up. For anyone that knows me, I can be pretty determined. Early the next week, I took a leave of absence from work and took the leap of faith with a commitment from my family to help find a way to make things work. We started putting in applications for anything that we came across. Over the last month or so, I have started to receive other scholarships and opportunities, and through communication with the financial aid office, we are now moving to Fairbanks so that I can be completely dedicated to pursuing my degree.”