Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County offers scholarships for our high school volunteers to help offset the expenses associated with educational programming.
Damian Bruns Memorial Scholarship
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Our organization and the entire community lost a very special mentor, Damian Bruns, on May 17, 2024—just two days after he was awarded one of our Bold Path to a Bright Future Scholarships.
Damian was a true role model. He was the kind of person kids looked up to, the embodiment of hard work, dedication, and the kind of mentor who leaves a lasting impact. He was the ideal representative for our Mentoring Program, and someone you always wanted on your team. He was on our team from the very beginning—his mother, Jenny Bruns, worked at BBBS-SD for 23 years and served as a Big Sister to two littles for over 9 years. Through this experience, Damian saw firsthand the profound importance of mentoring, and he carried that understanding with him throughout his life.
He deeply valued the opportunity to help the littles experience the joy of life in the country, with a garden to tend and a backyard to play in. He loved being a part of that, knowing he could help shape their lives.
Beyond his work as a mentor, Damian was also a dedicated volunteer. He gave his time at community events, fundraisers, and our annual Christmas party for Bigs & Littles. During our Duck Derby, you could always count on Damian to bring his unique energy—whether he was wearing the Duck costume or out in the river helping release or catch the ducks.
As he grew older, Damian joined our Buddies program, where he mentored at Northwood School. Through all of these experiences, he learned that the true value of volunteering and giving back to the community far surpassed anything a paycheck could offer.
Damian’s legacy is one of deep impact, touching countless lives both within our organization and in the wider community. It’s in his memory that we establish the annual Damian Bruns Memorial Scholarship—a $1,500 (or more) award given to a recipient who mirrors the qualities that made Damian such an exceptional mentor.
Damian cherished his time with BBBS-SD and often shared that what he gained through volunteering and mentoring was immeasurably more valuable than any financial compensation. It’s that same spirit of giving, leadership, and community that we hope the recipient of this scholarship will carry forward, just as Damian did.
We are proud to honor his memory and continue his work by investing in the future, just as he invested in the lives of so many others. Let us all strive to live by the example Damian set, as a mentor, as a volunteer, and as someone who believed deeply in the power of positive change.
Our organization and the entire community lost a very special mentor, Damian Bruns, on May 17, 2024—just two days after he was awarded one of our Bold Path to a Bright Future Scholarships.
Damian was a true role model. He was the kind of person kids looked up to, the embodiment of hard work, dedication, and the kind of mentor who leaves a lasting impact. He was the ideal representative for our Mentoring Program, and someone you always wanted on your team. He was on our team from the very beginning—his mother, Jenny Bruns, worked at BBBS-SD for 23 years and served as a Big Sister to two littles for over 9 years. Through this experience, Damian saw firsthand the profound importance of mentoring, and he carried that understanding with him throughout his life.
He deeply valued the opportunity to help the littles experience the joy of life in the country, with a garden to tend and a backyard to play in. He loved being a part of that, knowing he could help shape their lives.
Beyond his work as a mentor, Damian was also a dedicated volunteer. He gave his time at community events, fundraisers, and our annual Christmas party for Bigs & Littles. During our Duck Derby, you could always count on Damian to bring his unique energy—whether he was wearing the Duck costume or out in the river helping release or catch the ducks.
As he grew older, Damian joined our Buddies program, where he mentored at Northwood School. Through all of these experiences, he learned that the true value of volunteering and giving back to the community far surpassed anything a paycheck could offer.
Damian’s legacy is one of deep impact, touching countless lives both within our organization and in the wider community. It’s in his memory that we establish the annual Damian Bruns Memorial Scholarship—a $1,500 (or more) award given to a recipient who mirrors the qualities that made Damian such an exceptional mentor.
Damian cherished his time with BBBS-SD and often shared that what he gained through volunteering and mentoring was immeasurably more valuable than any financial compensation. It’s that same spirit of giving, leadership, and community that we hope the recipient of this scholarship will carry forward, just as Damian did.
We are proud to honor his memory and continue his work by investing in the future, just as he invested in the lives of so many others. Let us all strive to live by the example Damian set, as a mentor, as a volunteer, and as someone who believed deeply in the power of positive change.
Bigs
2025 Application Now Open
$1,000 Scholarships:
- -Awarded to Shelby and Darke County students for the 2024-2025 college academic year.
- -Recipients announced on May 16th, 2025.
- -Check distributed shortly thereafter and made payable to the student. Award will be presented at the May 2025 Big Brothers Big Sisters Board Meeting.
- -Student must have maintained at least a 2.5 GPA throughout high school.
- -Must be a high-school senior enrolled in a Shelby County or Darke County school.
- -Must have at least 60% attendance participation with the program.
- -Applicants must plan to pursue an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree or Certificate in any field of study at an accredited two-or four-year college or university, technical school, or trade school.
- -Part 1: Complete this application.
- -Part 2: Two References (forms included): Teacher, guidance counselor, principal, and/or Community Service Coordinator (excluding Big Brothers Big Sisters)
- -Part 3: Submit a typed, double-spaced essay on why mentoring is important for the community. (500-word minimum, no more than 1,500 words) OR submit a 2 to 3-minute video. Must include factual information about the impact of mentoring as well as personal reasons for participating in a Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
- Submit application and essay no later than April 30th, 2025
