PHOTO | COURTESY OF BRYAN SAMUEL
It is 4 a.m. WTAMU is asleep. Classrooms and hallways are voiceless and silent. In the next six hours, the University comes alive. Classrooms are full of words and endless conversations by inspiring students. What makes this setting unique is each student has a story.
Bryan Samuel, a sophomore mass communication major, is a student who shares a story of hope. From broken-down basements, to the comfort of Jones Hall, Bryan has never let anything get in the way of his dreams.
Bryan is a man of enormous vision, talent, passion, kindness and humility. He is a leader who has been mentoring kids for the past two years.
Involved in Collegiate G-Force, Bryan serves many area high schools by showing students that college is possible with commitment to academic success and proper training.
Netta Arellano, outreach advisor of Collegiate G-Force, said that they are more than happy to have Bryan as part of the team.
“Bryan is such an inspiration to the kids,” Arellano said. “Kids are his passion, and it shows through his love.”
Speaking to hundreds of students every semester, Arellano said that Bryan has the ability to “light up a room,” which shows his love for helping others.
“Mentoring these kids is something I’m passionate about because I can relate to them in some form of way,” Bryan said. “We all go through some form of hardship. Although some are different, we all go through the same pain.”
PHOTO | COURTESY OF BRYAN SAMUEL
Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was immediately put up for adoption by his single mother. When Bryan’s father returned home from the Army, he took Bryan in. Growing up was difficult as he and his father moved from neighborhood to neighborhood.
“That wasn’t the smartest move by my dad, but he was trying,” Bryan said.
Beginning to adapt to the lifestyle of moving around different parts of New York with his father, Bryan experienced things he would never forget.
“The hardest time of my life was growing up on my own,” said Bryan. “I remember watching TV. I always saw programs of people being loved. I never felt love from anyone in my life at that time.”
Moving out of Brooklyn, Bryan and his father then traveled to Texas. Bryan said this move was perfect timing.
“I was always surrounded by gangs,” he said. “I was never dumb enough to join a gang when I was in Brooklyn, but I almost did before we moved. I just never had any sense of security.”
While in Texas, Bryan made progress in his education. Bryan graduated high school and completed one year at Clarendon College. After Clarendon, Bryan moved to Fort Worth, where he was abandoned by his father.
“He pretty much told me to be a man. I had no plan and nowhere to go,” Bryan said.
Searching for a place to stay, Bryan recalled a few guys from Canyon he once met. Bryan took the chance of traveling to Canyon, hoping the guys he met would give him a place to stay.
“I didn’t know who they were on a personal level. I only met them once at a party, but I knew I had to take a chance,” Bryan said.
After being accepted, the five lived in a small broken-down trailer house meant to house 1-2 adults. Working three different jobs, Bryan kept himself busy.
While working at the local Pizza Hut, Bryan recalls WT students eating in and out of the restaurant. He said it was at that time he asked himself, “What am I doing with my life?”
Taking a chance, Bryan applied to WTAMU and got accepted in Fall 2008. Bryan explains that this was one of his biggest obstacles to ever overcome.
“To be told by your own family that you are just a nobody hurts, but that was my biggest motivation. I wanted to show everyone that I could do whatever I wanted to do,” he said.
That indeed, he showed.
“Bryan is a success story,” said Ryan Hazelwood, broadcast engineer in the department of communication. “Some say that people are products of their own environment. No. People are products of themselves. That says a lot about Bryan.”
Bryan is currently involved with KWTS, G-Force, Baptist Student Ministry and taking a full-time schedule of classes.
I met Bryan Samuel in Spring 2009. Over the Spring, I was immediately fascinated by his determination to learn and try new things. The day Christaan Eayrs assigned us our first story assignment, I began thinking of the possibility of an inspirational story. Bryan Samuel was the very first person who popped in my head.
My idea was to write a story that could bring inspiration to us. Pain is universal. It almost screams just to get our attention, but inspiration and hope are beautiful words that can bring life among others. I have seen these words from Bryan.
I was very scared to ask Bryan about writing his story. I assumed he would of tell me to “get lost,” but instead he smiled and said, “Stories are meant to be read. I’d love to.”
Bryan and I wish that his story can bring hope and inspiration to those who may feel lost or alone.
Ricky Mariscal