2011 Leo K. Najarian Memorial Scholarship Winner

 Matthew R. Camello

Matthew Camello is a senior graduate from Temecula Valley High School in Temecula, CA and is the son of Michael Camello, a 33 year veteran of the LAFD and current Arson Investigator of Fire Station 78. We are proud to announce Matthew as the 2011 recipient of the Leo K. Najarian Memorial Scholarship of $5,000.

Having been involved with some sort of student government / leadership since the fourth grade, Matthew’s list of achievements starts from the very beginning. In high school, Matthew was voted Freshman Class Representative, followed by a back to back nomination for Vice President in his Sophomore and Junior years. He culminated this distinguished career serving as Senior Class President in his final run. Matthew was also elected President of the National Honors Society and captain of the Varsity Golf team.

Matthew will attend UCLA in the fall of 2011 with plans to major in Biology and follow a minor course of study in Film and Television. After attending medical forums during his high school summers, including a two week course at UCLA this past summer and a six week program at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Matthew has become inspired to one day attend medical school in the hopes of becoming a dermatologist. Matthew not only wants to become a dermatologist in order to combat skin cancer but it is also his goal to become a successful writer, publishing literature for the same preventative purpose.

“I feel like one of the main things concerning dermatology and skin cancer is prevention,” Camello says, “I would like to use writing, alongside medicine, as a platform to prevent skin cancer by publishing both informative children’s and adult books.”

Q & A

What did receiving a scholarship through the LA Firemen’s Relief Association mean to you?

“It meant a lot because of how much time is spent on trying to get money for financial aid. Also with two other kids already in college and another sister after me on her way, I know that my parents are going to be struggling to pay for all our educations. Literally every cent counts and I really feel honored to have been considered for this scholarship.”

What are some personal words of advice that you would give to future scholarship applicants/recipients?

“I would say for the essay for this scholarship, you just need to be yourself and also very specific on what you want to do with your goals. You are amongst a bunch of other highly motivated people and so the more specific and detailed you are the better.”

How will this scholarship help you in your own education and in making a difference in the community?

“Again, this scholarship has already helped in my education by paying for my housing deposits for UCLA. Also this will help me get to the next step and eventually if I become a doctor, in paying it forward and allowing me to give back to the community through medicine.”

by Matt Toyama, Staff Writer