"I have had difficulty stuttering all my life, and I have been afraid people would think I was dumb because of it. I am naturally a very competitive person, and have worked incredibly hard in school so they never had that chance. It is difficult for me to not always be able to talk at my own pace or say what I need to say. For example, I am very bad at “B” sounds, but of course my name starts with a “B.” That made me very stressed out on the first day of school or meeting new people and having to introduce myself. A lot of people who stutter can avoid public speaking, but I always told myself not to let it stop me from doing what I wanted to do. Even when choosing a college, I knew this was probably the worst place to go for a stutterer, because as an officer you speak a lot. However, this was definitely the best school I could get into and it would be crazy not to go. Am I still nervous? Yes, but I know the importance of confidence, and that hard work and studying pay off."
Cadet Bridget Ryan is the 2016 recipient of the Henry O. Flipper award, annually given to a graduating cadet who demonstrates the highest qualities of leadership, self-discipline, and perseverance in the face of unusual difficulties. Story