Mid-South teen wins more than $1 million in college scholarships | Education

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A Mid-South teen is not only preparing to enter college, but he's also raising scholarships to pay for his education, totaling more than $1 million.

Brenden Driskill, 18, just graduated from St. Benedict at Auburndale in Cordova and hopes to inspire others to achieve their goals.

“So I was on the principal’s honor roll for four years,” Driskill said. “I graduated 12th in my class.”

Driskill received two awards upon graduation: the Right Choice Award and the Christian Witness Award, the school's highest honor.

Driskill is equally excited about another accomplishment: accumulating more than $1 million in scholarships from 12 different colleges.

“I’m almost on my way to my school of choice, which is the University of Tennessee at Knoxville,” he said.

Although he says he worked hard for his accomplishments, Driskill doesn't want to take all the credit.

“So, I’m the product of a teenage mother, and she was able to go to college even after she had my sister and I,” he said. “And so that's one thing that motivates me every day because I know if my mom can do it, I can do it. So I think family is what keeps me going.”

Driskill said he also struggled with self-confidence in high school, but overcame that obstacle by writing his book, Waiting for the kiss of time. It is a book of poetry, including a poem dedicated to his sister.

RELATED: More than 100 Whitehaven High School students win college scholarships worth more than $1 million

“It was very heartfelt and I think she got that message,” Driskill said. “I know for a lot of people these days, self-confidence and self-esteem is something they struggle with and it's something I struggle with as well. I thought he was very important to include in the book as well, and just to convey this message to my sister and everyone else that they are perfect just the way they are and deserve to be loved.”

Currently writing her second book, Driskill is preparing to join her sister at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville to study nursing.

He hopes his words and actions inspire others to pursue whatever they want: “I would just tell them to keep it up, never get discouraged and always lead with your heart, let your mind be right behind. “.

In April, FOX13 told you about more than 100 Whitehaven High School students who each won more than $1 million in college scholarships.

You can find a scholarship portal for your child to apply here.