Why 'Beacon'?

The Beacon Scholars program draws its name from the words of student poet Cydney Brown ’26, whose poem captures the essence of being a first-generation student.

I'm First

Cemented in what they thought I would be
But the beauty is I am the rose that grew from concrete
Defying odds cause my community watered me
And I know life is about growing
Being First is knowing
I don’t have a roadmap
But I’m learning along the way
mini seedlings I leave behind me
soon grow to trees for all to see
You see my parents paved the road
to success
laid those stony bricks on uneven ground
They’ve worked hard my whole life
So that my dreams could manifest
And I want them to be proud of me
Cause I’m representing my ancestors
who didn’t have the opportunity
To pursue higher education
I’m going on this journey to give my sister
Navigation
my brother
a warm salvation
and my grandparents, jubilation
I know it’s not just me
But if I can be their compass
that’s a legacy beyond posterity
I’m set on paving a path for future generations
Breaking down doors
and making sure they stay open
Hoping I can break generational curses
Being First is to be a hand reaching
grabbing those behind
and being First to step forward
being the First to fall, fail, then run
like a rising sun
shining on those lost in the moon’s shadow
being First is to ask for help
But knowing you’re not helpless
hours spent wishing you didn't have
empty shoes to fill
I didn’t do it by myself
I found community in SES and MCC
The Black House and GSRC
It feels good to know there are students like me
Feeling seen
Knowing
they’ve let our stories fall in between
the cracks
But we continue to bloom
So I enter every room knowing
I’m First
but I won’t be the last

— Cydney Brown ’26

About Cydney Brown

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