Pictured left to right: Denyse Richter, Step Up Parents Board President and Founder; Samuel Frazier; and Jessica Parker, Step Up Parents Executive Director.

Every year, Step Up Parents awards a $1,000 college scholarship to a student who has experienced kinship care. In 2024, we were thrilled to provide this scholarship to Samuel Frazier, an accomplished young man who has lived with his grandparents for 11 years.

The summer before Samuel entered second grade, his mother sent him to visit his paternal grandparents in New Hampshire for two weeks. Samuel never left. His biological parents were unable to care for him, and his grandparents stepped up and adopted him. Samuel’s grandparents’, both retired schoolteachers with four adult children, provided him with a loving, nurturing home in Wolfeboro. They encouraged his love of music and the outdoors. Samuel plays the saxophone and trumpet and is an Eagle Scout. During the early months of the pandemic, Samuel and his grandmother hiked all 48 NH 4,000 footers together.

Samuel in his freshman year dorm room. He is sitting on a t-shirt quilt made by his grandmother.

Samuel graduated from Kingswood Regional High School in June 2024 and now attends Gordon College, where he intends to major in history. Earlier this week, Samuel’s grandfather reached out to let Step Up Parents' staff know that Samuel is thriving at Gordon. In addition to successfully carrying a full course load, acclimating to college, and making new friends, Samuel participates in the school’s music ensemble. He also showed his dedication to academic success by achieving a 3.84 GPA for his first semester.

Samuel and his grandfather at a Gordon music ensemble concert.

In his scholarship application, Samuel said, “I’m unsure what my career path will be. I have considered being a teacher, working in the National Park Service, Archivist, Museum Curator, and Historian. I believe that I will be exposed to many opportunities at Gordon College to broaden my knowledge through faculty and student interactions and course offerings. I’m very interested in a semester abroad where European history is richest. I believe God will lead me to where I should go, and what I should I do.”

Wherever his path leads him, it is evident that thanks to his amazing grandparents Samuel has overcome great challenges to become a responsible, hard-working, caring young adult with a bright future ahead. Both he and his grandparents are very grateful for the scholarship assistance Step Up Parents provided for him this year.

Step Up Parents' college scholarship application is now open for 2025. To learn more and apply for the scholarship, click here.

Meet Samuel Frazier, Step Up Parents' 2024 College Scholarship Recipient