BRATS = Bringing Real Attributes to Society

BRATS Scholarship Winner 2024

Micaiah June

We can't wait to give the next deserving young adult a little extra cash to put toward their future. The application for 2025 is below. Not a BRATS member? Well, it is not too late to register and be eligible for our scholarship. Just complete and return a membership form. They will be available in March 2025.

BRATS Scholarship ESSAY

by Micaiah June

The sound of the front door closing behind her, the sight of her uniform crisp and clean, and the knowledge that she had just completed another day of service to our community-these are the memories I hold of my mom, the postal worker. My mom's profession has profoundly influenced my life, shaping my values, my work ethic, and my understanding of community.

Growing up, I watched my mom head to work every day with a sense of duty and pride. Her dedication to her job was unwavering, regardless of the weather or the challenges she faced. This daily commitment taught me the importance of reliability and perseverance. In a world where so much is uncertain, my mom's consistency was a reassuring constant. Her example has instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and the belief that showing up and doing your best every day is fundamental to achieving success.

Her role as a postal worker also highlighted the importance of community. My mom was more than just the person who delivered mail; she was a familiar face to many, often stopping to chat with neighbors and check in on the elderly. Through her, I learned that community service is not just about grand gestures but also about the everyday acts of kindness and connection. I saw firsthand how her interactions could brighten someone's day and how being a part of the community means caring for those around you. This has inspired me to be more engaged in my own community, volunteering at local events and helping neighbors whenever possible.

Moreover, my mom's work ethic has profoundly influenced my approach to academics and extracurricular activities. She balanced her demanding job with raising a family, always ensuring that my siblings and I had the support we needed. Her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities showed me the value of hard work and time management. This has been crucial in my own life as I strive to balance school, part-time work, and volunteering. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I think of my mom and her ability to manage her responsibilities with grace and determination. Another significant lesson my mom imparted is the value of humility and respect for all kinds of work. In a society that often overlooks the essential roles that keep our daily lives running smoothly, my mom's job as a postal worker taught me to appreciate and respect every profession. It has made me realize that every job, no matter how seemingly small, contributes to the larger picture and deserves recognition. This perspective has fostered a sense of gratitude and respect in me, which I carry into all my interactions.

In addition to practical lessons, my mom's career has also nurtured my aspirations. Seeing her dedication has inspired me to pursue a career where I can make a difference. I am determined to carry forward her legacy of service, whether through community engagement or a profession dedicated to helping others. Her influence has been a guiding force in my decision to pursue higher education and seek opportunities that align with my values of service and commitment.

In conclusion, my mom's role as a postal worker has been a cornerstone in shaping who I am today. Her unwavering dedication, commitment to community, and ability to balance work and family have profoundly influenced my values and aspirations. She has shown me that true success is measured not just by personal achievements but by the positive impact we have on those around us. As I move forward in my academic and professional journey, I carry with me the lessons and inspiration she has provided, aiming to honor her legacy through my own contributions to society.

Susan HUi

BRATS Scholarship

Click below to download application

Auxiliary BRATS Scholarship Application Form.pdf

Why are our Youth Auxiliary Members Called BRATS?

It was in St Louis in 1987 when a group of kids were organized by Leah Morrison. It was not unusual for kids to be at conventions but they had not previously been organized. Ron Swisher, President of one of the former organizations had a big family. M.B. Morrison was a membership icon, Leah was his wife. Leah was a grandmother at the time and she was very proactive about the kids learning how to run a meeting, having a pizza party, having their own dance and seeing some sights of the convention venue. The kids came up with their own choice of Name "BRATS" and then decided on an acronym that set a standard for what the group intended to achieve as they grew up Bringing Real Attributes To Society. Personally, I was amazed then, as I am now that a group of kids would be so forward thinking about what they intended to accomplish and how this new group would make that impact. Each year, they elected officers, held their own programs and the B.R.A.T.S. President lead the group into the general meeting and spoke briefly to the general audience. Over the years, the Presidents ran from teenagers to college students, while the group covered about every school grade.

Read some of the stories Below shared by former BRATS on how being part f this organization influenced their Lives.

How BRATS Influenced My Life

By Katie Winne

My career in law enforcement requires attention to detail for reports, clear communication, teamwork and leadership skills. I enjoy the opportunity to share information with children that policemen are here to protect and serve you. I look back on the affiliations that I had with sports, teams, clubs, organizations and draw from both what I learned and how I benefited from those associations. That helps me to plan how I can reach, educate, and impact the kids that I protect and serve.

My earliest participation came at 6 weeks old, when my Mom took me to the League National Convention in Washington DC. My grandmother came along as my babysitter. Over the next 20 years, I grew up thinking of League events, similar to family reunions. Being a B.R.A.T.S. member was similar to a week at summer camp! I developed friends from across the country, had an opportunity to travel to great places and broadened my cultural horizons. As B.R.A.T.S. we took our meetings very seriously. We learned parliamentary procedures, meeting etiquette, decision making and planning our own events such as pizza parties and dances. We learned the politics of running for B.R.A.T.S. offices and the responsibility of leadership. The B.R.A.T.S. earned budget money by selling raffle tickets, had the finance responsibility for our budget and we learned the role of being a good leader and a good follower. Each year at the National Convention, the B.R.A.T.S.’s President would briefly address the entire Convention. We all marched in and proudly stood in formation as they spoke. Whether you think of this as a P.T.A program or a UN Delegation, it was definitely a learning experience. We understood the responsibilities of taking care of our own, the older kids would guide the younger ones in and hold their hands in case they should try to wander. Immediately, you understood the responsibilities of being a role model because, the kid holding your hand looked up to you. I guess looking back, that’s how I think we were Bringing Real Attributes to Society – one kid at a time, a legacy of passing on what someone had done for us.

In my job as a law enforcement officer, I see the need for so many of these KSA’s (you can tell I learned a lot for my Postal Mom). Bringing Real Attributes To Society, should be our personal and professional goal. I was never offended by the term BRATS. How could I be, when I think it stands for increasing “attributes” like, character, responsibility, leadership.

Grwoing up IN BRATS BRATS

BY Barry Bailey, Jr,

I started going to conventions with my Grandma, Sharon Connor when I was 4 years old. Little did I know that I would grow up in a group of people who would also become my second family. I was in the BRATS organization for roughly 16 of those years, and when I came of age, I went through the ranks to eventually become the president. Being in the BRATS was a great way to make friends my age growing up with people from all over.

During my time, we would go on tours, have pool parties, go on scavenger hunts, and do a whole bunch of other stuff. Being in the BRATS, there were times when you’d learn things that help you out in real life, like socializing, learning to vote for people into office (because we had our own ranks), and every now and again, we’d have etiquette classes on how to present yourself at a dinner table. Being a BRAT was a big part of my childhood, and I’ll never forget the great times I had, along with all the friends I made along the way.

One of the main reasons why I still come after 21 years, and I’m not even a postmaster, is because of the friendships I’ve made with the postmasters and the fun times I have had with them in my time away from home. So I would definitely encourage people to bring their kids/grandkids to the conventions because they’ll have more fun making friends and enjoying their time touring and exploring while everyone else is in their meetings.

WHY BRATS IS IMPORTANT

BY Crystal Joos

I first started going to USPS functions with my mom when I was around 12 years old. I’ve been to numerous national conventions and countless state ones. I was a member of the BRATS, Bringing Real Attributes to Society, a division of the National League of Postmasters and when I aged out of that, I continued on in the Auxiliary as the national secretary of the organization. Through this involvement, I had the opportunity to meet two Postmaster Generals and several national board members as well as hundreds of postmasters from nearly every state. I got to, at a very young age, sit in on meetings that discussed some of the very complex issues that plague Postmasters and other postal employees every day.

In addition to developing an enormous pool of knowledge about the Post Office that I will probably never need, I also learned a lot about life and careers in general. Attending conventions at such a formative age taught me how important it is to get involved as much as possible in whatever it is you do. The people who go to conventions get access to speakers from across the country, and experts in a wide range of areas. Not only that, but they then have the opportunity to connect with their peers from the other side of the country they would never have the chance to meet otherwise.

Jumping off of a childhood filled with memories of walking the Hill to talk to senators in Washington D.C.; listening to Chris Gardner give the keynote speech in Anaheim, California; and having social hour at Pat O-Brien’s in New Orleans, I dove headfirst into my own professional organizations when I began my degree in court reporting. Okay, to be fair, that last one didn’t actually take place in my childhood. I assure you, my mom brought me to that bar on Bourbon Street when I was 22! Promise! But because of those experiences, I learned that not only is it important for you in your career to attend conventions, but it is also a great opportunity to make friends with people who really understand your daily struggles.

I have spent so many afternoons on the couch doing homework or reading a book and overhearing conversations my mom is having with her fellow postmasters helping them through an issue with a clerk, carrier, fellow postmaster, supervisor, or customer. Colleagues can find solace in knowing that they are not the only ones struggling with their jobs. Conventions give you that network. I, as a non-postal worker, still got so much out of going to League, NAPUS, and UPMA conventions.

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