What a Great Day to RISE

What a Great Day to RISE

Today, DC Rise Real Estate is proud to announce Sawyer Fry of River Ridge / Elizabeth, IL as the recipient of the Rise Scholarship.

When we read through 15 applications this cycle, we weren't sure what to expect. What we found left us genuinely moved — and deeply confident in the next generation our community has raised.

Sawyer stood out not just for what he's accomplished, but for how he thinks. In his own words:

"A strong leader listens, stays positive through challenges, and is willing to step up when needed — but also step back and let others grow."

That's not something you teach. That's character.

He also wrote something that stuck with all of us:

"Ultimately, RISE is more than just a word — it is a mindset that shapes how I live my life."

We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

There's something powerful that happens when a community decides to lift each other up. It's not just one person who rises — it's all of us. That belief is at the core of everything we do at DC Rise, and it's exactly why this scholarship exists.

To Sawyer and every student who submitted an application this year: we see you. We are rooting for you. And we mean it when we say — if you ever need an internship, a mentor, or just someone in your corner, we will be here.

Elevating dreams. Building wealth. Enhancing community. That's the mission we choose to live by.

What a great day to RISE.