Senior Isaiah Merritt competed in the Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway during the ACC Championship Game between Clemson and Virginia Tech. As the only high school student competing, Brother Isaiah was in the running for a $100,000 scholarship.

“I want my future children to achieve their dreams, despite their circumstance. I want to get my dad out of the apartments and into a permanent home” Brother Merritt said in his submission. He didn’t take home the big prize, but coming in second earned him a $20,000 check for his studies after BOMLA.

“I want to create opportunities for my family and others, too. I want to prove that circumstances don’t determine your future. I want to redefine stereotypes of those who don’t have as much as others.”