Meet the 2018 Dream Award Recipients: Jacoby Barry

By Joan Cronson

An only child and a smart, well-rounded student growing up in New Orleans, Jacoby Barry developed important life skills that helped him thrive inside and outside the classroom. He excelled academically in math and science, completed AP and honor classes, but also had a passion for playing basketball and was a team captain.

“Playing basketball taught me resilience, toughness, dedication, and teamwork,” said Jacoby. “It takes practice to improve and compete. Math came easy for me as a child. I viewed it as a puzzle to solve. Other subjects like English required more effort. My competitive spirit helped me work through challenges.”

When Jacoby was 14 years old, he woke up and found his beloved 47-year-old father lying deceased on the sofa. The night before, his father had shampooed the carpet and prepared dinner; his sudden death was a shock to the family. It sent his mother into a deep depression that required medical assistance and traumatized Jacoby.

To make matters even more difficult, his mother discovered her husband had dropped his life insurance policy after not being able to afford it. He had been their family’s main wage earner, and Jacoby’s mom’s depression prevented her from being able to cope with the new challenges. They struggled, argued and soon afterwards, she lost her job and their family home.

His mother went to live with a friend, starting a new job in a nearby city to get back on her feet. Jacoby went to live with his aunt. He had to change schools and had a hard time adjusting while still grieving the loss of his father. His grades dipped and he stopped playing basketball. Fortunately, he realized he needed to regroup and dedicated himself to working hard in school so he could reach his full potential. 

“My aunt loved me through the pain,” said Jacoby.  “Financially, she could not afford much, because she had a son in college. She supplied love, spiritual guidance and readjusted her financial resources to include me. She made sure I did not lack anything required for school including uniforms, books, and the ability to participate in school trips and play sports. Having this support, I had no reason not do my best at school and volunteer to help others. I was also able to rebuild my relationship with my mother.”

Growing up, Jacoby loved playing video games and all types of technology. In 7^th grade, Jacoby joined SeaPerch, an innovative underwater robotics program that teaches kids to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), using PVC pipes. His team’s hard work paid off, as they placed first in the regional competition in Louisiana and fourth at nationals in Washington D.C.  He competed a second year, which solidified his love of STEM.

By his senior year in high school, everything came together. Jacoby graduated with honors and received several academic and leadership awards. He received acceptances from six engineering schools.  After much consideration, he choose Mercer University in Macon, Ga. (He first became aware of the school by seeing their basketball team beat Duke in the NCAA tournament.) The university sent him a postcard, and later offered him a scholarship. He visited and lived on campus during his spring break.

“They have great teachers and a strong engineering curriculum accredited by ABET, he said. “I liked that the school has a partnership with Warner Robins Air Force Base and numerous GA Medical facilities.   I have the opportunity to obtain hands-on knowledge and training in all eight programs of engineering offered not just computer engineering. Faculty members bring professional experience in their specialized fields so I can apply my skills in research, gaming, animation, logistics and biomedical areas of nuclear medicine. The campus just felt right and the college checked all my boxes for progression. I also appreciated their Southern hospitality.”

In addition to studying Computer Engineering, he works as a Student Team Manager for the Mercer Bears Men’s Basketball team to help cover expenses and remain connected to the sport.

Jacoby’s aunt found the Scholarship America Dream Award scholarship when she was helping him search for scholarship opportunities and an ad popped up on the screen. He applied right away, a few days before the deadline. 

“The Dream Award scholarship has helped me tremendously,” said Jacoby. “I was fortunate to receive several small local scholarships for my first year of college, but they were not renewable and were not enough to cover my tuition, housing, meals and books. The Dream Award has helped me gain financial stability to stay in school. I appreciate their investment in my dream, education and future.”      

Once he earns his Bachelor’s degree, he plans to pursue a Master’s degree. He has seen too many other students get complacent and not get their advanced degree. He learned that to succeed in engineering requires self-motivation and discipline to study beyond class instruction.        

“Each facet of the school’s Computer Science program contributes to my desire to one day be able to set up an entire network,” he explained. “My ultimate career goal is to eventually own a multinational IT software or web operating system that will make Google or Yahoo outdated. I want to contribute something through engineering that makes life less complicated and expands capabilities to appreciate math and science.”

“As I grow, I will continue to make it my ultimate concern to pay-it-forward in the spirit of giving back, tutoring and doing my Christian duty. I go back and visit my neighborhood to inspire others who have lost a parent and feel hopeless. I urge kids to not give up or be lazy but to work hard to achieve their goals,” Jacoby said.