The primary goal of the Braden Markus Memorial Athletic Scholarship is to support high school seniors who plan to continue participating in athletics in college. By providing financial assistance to these students, the fund aims to encourage the pursuit of higher education while honoring Braden’s legacy.

• Applicant(s) must be graduating high school seniors from the Olentangy School District, with preference given to students from Olentangy High School.
• Recipient(s) must enroll in a 2 or 4-year university, college, or technical school in the fall following high school graduation, with the intention of participating as a student-athlete in at least one sport.
• Scholarship(s) are non-renewable and cannot be extended or transferred to future academic years.
• Applicants who are not selected may reapply one time the following year, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

The Braden Markus Foundation Athletic Scholarship was created to honor the memory of a young man whose life was tragically cut short due to an online exploitation scheme. Braden’s story highlights the growing risks young people face in the digital age, and this scholarship program seeks to both preserve his legacy and raise awareness of these dangers.