Alexis Billings- I am from Claremont, California and attend Claremont High School where I will be a part of the graduating class of 2018. I plan to attend CSU Long Beach, where I will study nursing to become a Nurse Practitioner. My biological mother was a felon, one who has bipolar disorder, depression, and suffers from addiction to methamphetamine and other drugs. My biological father was a neglectful, abusive man who raised me for the majority of my life. After severing the ties between my parents and myself, I was taken under the wings of Rachel and David Dumler who were close family friends. Eventually, I became a ward of the court and was placed under guardianship of the Dumlers. I am a very caring person—one who seeks to aid anyone in their time of need. To be able to help others, to make them ultimately feel better when they are in pain would be the most satisfying part of my life. It would also be an honor to follow in the footsteps of my guardian, David Dumler, who has served a life of helping others by being a firefighter. To the donors that made this scholarship possible: Thank you so much. You have no idea what it means not only to me but to hundreds of other students who hope to better their future. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to achieve our dreams by funding our education.
Michael Smith- I have been accepted to the University of San Diego. I will begin the fall semester of 2018 and am very excited to start my college journey toward higher education. I have decided to pursue a degree in Business Administration. I have a strong desire to be in charge of my own destiny and to have control to influence those around me in a positive way. Being a part of the LAFD family has meant a great deal to me. I have fond memories as a child of spending Thanksgiving at the firehouse. Having a family of 40 to share the holiday with was an amazing experience. My step-father, Christopher Sweasey has taught me to be a kind, conscientious individual and I have learned so much just by watching him and his LAFD brothers. As I grew older, I came to appreciate the depth of camaraderie and support that comes from being a part of this family. When my step-father was severely injured on the job, it was inspiring to see how his brothers supported him while he underwent surgery and the long road to recovery. My parents and I are hopeful that through scholarships such as this one, my contributions through on-campus work, and the sacrifice my parents continue to make, I will be able to attend the University of San Diego which will allow me to continue my education, gain different perspectives, and explore and obtain knowledge in new and different areas.
Gabriella Palacios- I will be majoring in nursing at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama this fall. My father, Patrick Palacios, has worked with the Los Angeles Fire Department for 23 years. Receiving any type of scholarship will help me obtain my goal to become a nurse by allowing me to focus more on my studying and schoolwork. I am committed to working hard in school and seeking opportunities that could help me make my goals a reality. Being born into the LAFD family has given me the opportunity to have two families growing up. I have seen how the LAFD family and all of its organizations have come to the aid of those who have fallen in the line of duty or have tragically taken their own lives. The love and support shown to the family during hard times is what a family provides. I have listened to my father talk about the members he has worked with over the years with great pride and satisfaction. I feel honored to be part of an organization with a rich history of taking care of its own members and family, always looking out for each other just like a family would. The LAFD family will forever hold a special place in my life. I am extremely grateful to be part of the firefighter family. Thank you!
Simone Decker- I’m from Palmdale, California. I have the most amazing family and I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what I have without my mom, dad, and older sister by my side! During high school, I have been involved with ASB Student Leadership, Cheerleading, Bollywood dance team, Interfaith Leadership Initiative, and many other fantastic organizations. Outside of school I love to spend my time practicing yoga, writing articles for my blog, visiting museums, traveling, and expanding my photography skills. I feel extremely lucky to be continuing my education at George Washington University in Washington, DC, where I aspire to visit every museum and art exhibition. In the future, I hope to serve the country by working in National Security for the FBI or CIA as an intelligence analyst. I also hope to visit every continent by the age of 50, and to become a certified yoga instructor. This scholarship will enable me to enrich my future by providing me with the means to achieve my dream of being the first in my family to receive a college education. Attending college in D.C. as a Political Science major will provide me with unbeatable internship and job opportunities that will help me advance towards my career goals. On a broader scale, this scholarship will allow me to earn my way to a career in politics where I will influence national policy and security to better our country. This scholarship will make a D.C. college education much more accessible to me—a dream that otherwise be just out of reach.
Brady Sedillos- I am a senior graduating from Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. I will be attending Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island in the fall, studying pre-medicine. I love to hang out with friends, play the ukulele, hike in national parks, and read! My favorite authors include Stephen King and JRR Tolkien. I have been involved in many programs in both my school and community, like acting as vice president and social chair for my volunteer group at my local hospital, and under-secretary-general of logistics for my school’s Model United Nations Program. I look forward to what the future holds, and I am so grateful to the Relief Association for helping me along the way. To the generous people who have made this scholarship possible, thank you for providing the students with the opportunity to succeed academically. Thank you for making what some once considered a far-off daydream a reality. Thank you for choosing to support hard-working parents in their goal for their children to live happy, fulfilling lives. I hope to one day give back to my community as generously and selflessly as you all have.
Abbie Sedillos- I’m from Rancho Palos Verdes. I’m the daughter of Captain Leonard Sedillos from Fire Station 80. I’m a senior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and will be attending Northeastern University in Boston this coming fall. I plan on majoring in both political science and environmental studies, then attending law school with the ultimate goal of pursuing environmental law. I am the third generation in a family of firefighters; as both my father and grandfather have worked for the LAFD. Though, I have not inherited the physical prowess that helps make a great firefighter, I have inherited the LAFD mindset—I want to help people. Having not only my LAFD family but the LAFD family as a whole, means being part of something that is bigger than myself. It has taught me the values of community service and the integrity in which I hope to pay forward in the years to come. I would not be who I am without the support the fire family has given me throughout my life. Thank you for your kindness and generosity in making it possible for people like me to pursue their dreams. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and endlessly appreciative of the selflessness of the fire family that you embody.