Kurtis Horimoto

Kurtis HorimotoKurtis started his journey off to college in the Fall of 2009. As a freshman at Stanford University, he plans to major in electrical engineering and computer science. Once he finishes his undergraduate work at Stanford, Kurtis plans to pursue a career in robotics and software engineering.

"Like many incoming college students, I am faced with the difficult task of somehow paying the increasingly pricey bill of my education. Without any assistance, my tuition next year would break the bank," he said. "However, scholarships like the Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association Scholarship definitely will help me get the education needed to reach my goals."

Getting to know Kurtis ... Some Q & A's

What did receiving this scholarship from the Relief Association mean to you?

I am extremely grateful for this scholarship! This scholarship will allow me to focus more fully on my education rather than worrying about how to pay for it, especially in these turbulent economic times -- every little bit helps!

How will this scholarship help you with your education?

This scholarship is a great help for me because it’s going to assist funding my future education. Without the help of scholarships like this, I would most likely have to get a job during college to help with the bills. However, this great gift will give me more time and energy to use for developing the knowledge and skills I will need for my future.

What advice do you have for future scholarship recipients?

It’s definitely a nerve-wracking experience being stuck in a room with several other students all writing essays that they hope will top yours. This is only made worse when you see an unconventional prompt that forces you to think on your feet. I’d definitely recommend both practice and patience to future scholarship applicants. Writing timed essays, as anyone who’s taken an AP English course, is made substantially easier with a lot of practice. Timed essays for school, SAT tests and AP tests will help prepare future applicants to write quickly. Also, it’s important to remain calm while writing: two hours is a long time! If you rush, then your essay will be underdeveloped and weak. However, if you take your time and remain composed, your essay will most likely turn out much better.

How would you like to make a difference in this world and give back to your community?

It is my hope to use the knowledge imbued in me during my time in college to join the millions of scientific minds who are trying to make the world a better place to live in. There are many problems, ranging from global warming to energy shortages, which can be solved by clever thinking. I plan to follow in the example of community service and altruism set by the fire department and to continually work to better myself and my community.