2020 Scholarship Winners
- Name: Malia Seow
- University, College or School Attending: UCLA
- Your Area of Study/Major: Civil Engineering
- Education and Career Goals: I am currently exploring my education and discovering my true path in life. My goals are to be successful and gain knowledge through college and obtain a career that makes me happy and lets me continue to learn.
- What inspires you? My family inspires me more than anything else. They have always supported me and encouraged me to succeed, and they have helped shaped me into who I am today.
- Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: I like to listen to music, dance, watch baseball, and play with my dog.
- List Any Awards: LAFD Merit Scholarship
- What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? Being part of a firefighter family means a lot to me. It has always been fun visiting the fire station and going to the annual pancake breakfast, and it has taught me the importance of helping others.
- How will this scholarship help you? This scholarship will help my family immensely. My parents have three kids in college right now, so this scholarship will take some of the financial burden off of them. They have always worked so hard to support me, so it is nice to be able to give back to them.
- Name: Savanna Silveyra
- University, College or School Attending: Grand Canyon University
- Your Area of Study/Major: Majoring in Health Care Administration and Minoring in Pharmaceuticals and Christian Studies.
- Education and Career Goals: I want to challenge myself to learn different areas of study and deepen my knowledge about the medical field. My goals for education is to try my best so I can one day help those who might need my help. My goal for my career is to work for the city of hope because I want to make a difference in the lives of the sick.
- What inspires you? I would say that my parents inspire me because they both have jobs that help people. My dad has risked his life and given everything he has to help other people. Watching both of
them constantly working to make sure that my siblings and I have everything we need. My career choice is because of my aunts. I have had a couple of my aunts that have passed away from a variety of different cancers and by working in a place like the city of hope, I will have the chance to give back to all the people who are going through the same thing. - Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: I am a college leader for a Christian club at my local high school called Young Life. It is a Christian club on campus and gives the students a chance to meet new friends and have a support system. I currently do Crossfit and I am planning on competing within the next couple years on the teams division.
- List Any Awards:
-Academic achievement 4.0+
-Academic scholar athlete
-Honoree volunteer miracle league coach - What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? It means that I am proud to be part of an organization that risks their lives to save others. I get to watch my dad sacrifice his life for other people’s safety. My dad was a 9/11 responder and with him there were hundreds of firemen who risked their life and have lost their life to save so many people. These people are willing to die for someone they do
not even know. It is an honor to be in a firefighter family because it is such an amazing selfless job. - How will this scholarship help you? This scholarship will help me in so many ways because it helps me to maximize my college education. It will help give me a chance at achieving a higher education. It will also help me have the chance to focus on school and not so much on how I will pay for it. It gives me the
chance to explore more internships and volunteer opportunities. This scholarship has helped me in so many ways that can change my college experience for the better by helping create more opportunities for me.
- Name: Dean Hirsch
- University, College or School Attending: Cal Baptist University
- Your Area of Study/Major: Aviation: Concentration in Unmanned Systems
- Education and Career Goals: bachelors in Aviation Science and masters in Environmental Realm
- What inspires you? Aviation: I have always had a drive to do more and to accomplish whatever I put my mind to. My parents have always taught me to finish what I start and to do it with greatness.
- Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: I play indoor soccer, bodyboard at the wedge, ski in Mammoth, play spikeball at the beach, and recently picked up golf.
- List Any Awards: Los Angeles Fire Department Scholarship Fund, Sherer Courage Award (Servite)
- What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? Being a apart of a firefighter family to me means that family comes first, we must help, serve, and provide for our family and those close to us.
- How will this scholarship help you? This scholarship money will be used for all of my Aviation lab fees.
- Name: Tristan Kennedy
- University, College or School Attending: University of California, Santa Barbara
- Your Area of Study/Major: Biology
- Education and Career Goals: Go into healthcare to either become a doctor, physician’s assistant, or something pertaining to the medical technology industry.
- What inspires you? My great grandpa is my biggest inspiration. He was a person who was wise, loving,
and family oriented. He came to America when he was young to pursue a better life for his family. - Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: I like to surf, skate and golf.
- List Any Awards: Summa Cum Laude, Goldenhawk nominee for Business Academy
- What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? Being a part of the firefighter family has given me a strong sense of community. Whether it’s visiting the fire station for holidays, philanthropy events, and much more, the family is always trying to stay involved.
- How will this scholarship help you? As I am a pre-medical student, all post-grad schooling is going to be very expensive. Being able to be awarded this big of a scholarship has really added comfort to me knowing that I’m trying to alleviate the expensive cost of college.
- Name: Tyler Serrano
- University, College or School Attending: California State University, Long Beach
- Your Area of Study/Major: Music Education
- Education and Career Goals: I plan on obtaning my bachelor’s degree in music education, then pursue a master’s degree. I would like to become a music professor and conductor, teaching at the collegiate or high school level. I will also add a major in jazz studies with a focus on performance so that I will continue to perform.
- What inspires you? My parents’ work ethic inspires me to work diligently and be persistent in my life. They’ve put in so much effort in order to give my brothers and I a great childhood and home life. By far, my parents inspire me the most to be a successful scholar and find a career that I can put my heart into.
- Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: I really enjoy dancing (tap and jazz), singing, drawing, playing the piano, gardening, and baking.
- List Any Awards: Highest GPA award (5.0 GPA in 2019, rank 5 out of 560 students). Most Dedicated Member of Marina Voices Jazz Program (2018-19), Student of the month (2020), President’s Honor Roll (2021)
- What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? The firefighter family is such a friendly and supportive community that has allowed me and my family to connect with people. I’ve gotten to know my dad’s co-workers, go on fireboat rides and socialize and have fun with people who are a part of this group.
- How will this scholarship help you? Receiving this honor will benefit me greatly because it will help pay for my college education and ensure that I have a successful college experience. With only one source of income from my family and three family members attending college, any aid in paying for tuition, textbooks, living on campus, and other college fees helps immensely. This scholarship will lift the burden and stress of paying off student loans and help me focus solely on my education and career.
2021 Scholarship Winners
- Name: Kamryn Scott
- University, College, or School Attending: University of Southern California
- Your Area of Study/ Major: History
- Education and Career Goals: I plan to become a high school history teacher. I
have an immense passion for helping others grow emotionally but also intellectually, and when I evaluate all the teachers that have inspired me, I know that teaching i s my way to influence the next generations. I hope to foster individuals who are contributing members of society and who think critically about the information they receive – with mass amounts of misinformation output by the media, it couldn’t be more important to understand the different national, global, and local relationships. - What inspires you? I have a variety of inspirations in my life, but one of the strongest that comes to mind is my Aunt Gayle Faragher. She worked for the Los Angeles Fire Chief’s office and even knew Leo Najarian, emphasizing that he was always immensely kind and strong. Auntie Gayle, as I call her, is there to pick up my every call. I look at how knowledgeable she is about everything (it could truly be about any topic that I ask her a question). I feel that my aunt simply lives her life right because of her mindset in approaching different situations. She seems to always have a good time, but not because the event is particularly special; she is the good time. She exhibits so much effort to make everyone feel recognized, even utilizing a google sheet of my entire extended family’s birthdays as a missed birthday card would be forbidden. It really is my aunt’s strength, diligence, compassion, and positive spirit that I seek to match with each day.
- Hobbies, Sports, or Clubs: At my high school, I was a part of our three hundred person marching band as a trombonist, being both a section leader and the brass captain. I was additionally in the top jazz band and wind ensemble. I ’m also a member of ASB (our student government), Hope Squad (a suicide prevention group at my high school), and I was the varsity softball captain with four years on our team. I partook i n other activities as well, such as a Sacramento Advocacy Trip where five students from my high school advocated to state legislators about issues important to us – my platform was strongly about easily accessible mental health support for California students.
- List Any Awards: One award I received was t he Charter Oak Award. Four seniors at my high school who demonstrated great academic achievement and extensive leadership were selected by Northwood staff to receive this highest award granted by the school. I ’ve also received the Senior Scholar Athlete award and Pride of the Pack award. The Scholar Athlete is for seniors who have made significant contributions on the Varsity level for their respective sports, and recipients are selected by the Pacific Coast League athletic directors (choosing eight from each school). Lastly, I have had the honor to receive four Pride of the Pack awards throughout my high school career, where each teacher chooses two students from all their classes who demonstrate responsibility, integrity, and leadership skills.
- What does i t mean to be part of a firefighter family? The first word that comes to mind when thinking of my firefighter family is warmth. My brother and I would excitedly look forward to the holidays that my dad was working. Sure, t hat meant it wouldn’t be spent at home, but even better – it meant we got to spend. Thanksgiving and Christmas at the fire station. We indulged on some mouth-watering feasts, took rides on the fire engines, and played at the handball court. I was in awe of my dad and the other firefighters’ dedication t o helping their community when they would stop in the middle of scooping their mashed potatoes to help someone in need. The best way to describe it is that I simply felt so proud. It instilled in me the value of helping others… while my dad’s service was through providing safety, I want to be a teacher and give people the resources to create a better future for themselves by expanding their knowledge. I see heroes in both teachers and firefighters by exhibiting the same courage and
desire to create a better situation for others. - How will this scholarship help you? I would argue that it is universally known USC’s tuition is high, so when I found out I received the scholarship, I had my family beside me when we quite literally started jumping up and down (trying to be quiet because we were still on the call). I wish I could better articulate what this scholarship means to me – it feels like an enormous weight lifted from my shoulders. This scholarship really is the Relief Association trusting I will succeed throughout college and my career, and I want to make them proud. It’s even more special that this scholarship came from the Relief, a source so close to me! I couldn’t be more grateful.
- Name: Nicholas Rodgers
- University, College or School Attending: DePaul University, Chicago Illinois
- Your Area of Study/Major: Criminology and Political Science
- Education and Career Goals: To receive a bachelor’s degree in criminology and political science as a foundation to pursue a career in the legal field. I plan to attend law school. I chose criminology because I have an interest in how the law works. I hope to
be a criminal justice lawyer, so I must be well versed on how certain laws affect
different marginalized groups. Fighting for people who cannot defend themselves is
something I have always done. As a child I looked out for classmates that were picked
on and as a teenager I still do the same thing. Knowledge of the law gives you access,
opportunity, resources and solutions that may aid less fortunate in the community. - What inspires you? My mom is what inspires me the most. She raised my brother and I and provided for us all while being a single mother working several jobs. Her hardwork and dedication to her family is what inspires me to do the same, as a way to give back to her and the community.
- Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: Playing basketball, hanging out with my friends and family, drawing and painting, playing video games, shopping at the thrift store.
- List Any Awards:
● Honor Roll (4 semesters)
● Distinguished Christian High School Student Award
● Chem in the Community Excellence Award
● Western Christian High School College Prep Distinction Award
● Boys State Participation
● ASB Lancer Ambassador - What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? Fire families always support other fire families because the job of a firefighter is a sacrifice the entire family makes. Achieving dreams and helping to foster civic engagement is possible through the generous support of the donors of the Fire Family Foundation.
- How will this scholarship help you? This scholarship will allow me to fill the gap between school aid and the $28.000 dollars left for my single Mom to pay. My goal ever since I was a child was to attend college. I honestly never thought about not attending. I know I have to get a degree in order to have many options available to support myself and to make a positive impact on my community.
- Name: Dylan Phillips
- University, College or School Attending: Santa Barbara City College
- Your Area of Study/Major: Business Economics
- Education and Career Goals: My education goals are to complete two years of college at Santa Barbara City College and transfer into UCLA’s Business Economics Program. I plan to pursue a career in business.
- What inspires you? The men and women in the workforce, especially first responders, law enforcement, and military
- Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: Jiu-jitsu, Spearfishing, camping, snowboarding, and art
- List Any Awards: State and National High School Society
- What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? Being a part of a firefighter family means discipline, humility, and respect.
- How will this scholarship help you? This scholarship will help me pay for tuition and living expenses allowing me to put more focus and energy into my studies.
- Name: Lauren Smith
- University, College or School Attending: Emerson College
- Your Area of Study/Major: Journalism and Marketing Communications
- Education and Career Goals: I definitely see myself going to get my masters and maybe eventually going back to school and earning a Ph.D so I could teach.
- What inspires you? The people I surround myself with. I love being around driven individuals who are passionate about not only their careers, but life. To me, being successful means being in love with my life, which starts with the people around me.
- Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: Cheerleader, Virtual Enterprise, and Starbucks barista
- List Any Awards: Honor Roll, Scholar Athlete, Varsity Athlete, Valedictory Circle, Business Plan team
2nd in the nation - What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? Being able to watch my Dad grow throughout his career was incredibly inspiring to me and taught me a lot about hardwork and dedication. Being apart of the firefighter family taught me the important of loving career and following your dreams, wherever that may take you.
- How will this scholarship help you? This scholarship allows me to continue to follow my dreams and gives me the greatest gift of all; education. I am so grateful to the Los Angeles Fireman’s Relief Association for granting me this scholarship because it makes reaching my goals so much more attainable. Thank you!
- Name: Leia Alvarado
- University, College or School Attending: University of Washington, Seattle
- Your Area of Study/Major: Biology
- Education and Career Goals: I will be attending the University of Washington, Seattle in the fall. I plan to major in biology and later attend graduate school and pursue a career in medicine.
- What inspires you? Joining the National Charity League has allowed me to connect and become inspired by charities and non-profit organizations in my city as well as by my own mom. Through this organization, I have attended a variety of events including cultural events, leadership training sessions, and opportunities to serve my community while furthering a relationship of learning from my mom as more than my parent but also as a leader. This year I have followed my mother in becoming my Class Treasurer and she has kept me accountable for my responsibilities while also serving as a role model from whom I learned integrity, compassion, and generosity. I personally witnessed her fervent selflessness through the 125 hours we have spent together by delivering food to Meals on Wheels, cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the Boys and Girls Club, baking homemade treats for Crittenton Services for Children and Families, and running booths at a Halloween celebration for the Ronald McDonald House. While providing comfort and promoting growth and reform to those in need around us, I have also found personal growth and reform in my respect for all the skills my mother modeled for me.
- Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: During high school, I completed the Troy Tech Program in the Business Pathway as well as participated in the National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation. I have also been a member of Troy High School’s “Red Hots” Varsity Dance Team for four years. I was also active in my school’s Dancer Against Cancer Club and Key Club. Additionally, I have danced competitively at my studio, The Dance Spot, for 10 seasons. I served as Recording Secretary and Treasurer of my class during my three years in the National Charity League.
- List Any Awards: AP Scholar with Distinction, California Scholarship Federation, Sealbearer Life Membership, Student of the Month: AP US History, Principal’s Honor Roll
- What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? Being a part of the LAFD family encompasses the pride I feel in my dad and his accomplishments and also the respect I continue to feel towards all firefighters and their families. I have personally witnessed great sacrifice every single day my dad leaves for work and I feel comfort in knowing that my family and I have such a great support system of other families of the LAFD. Especially after my dad’s biggest work injuries, but also when we go camping or even just visit the station, I have felt a strong connection with the community of his coworkers, friends, and their families as they rush to help and cater to my family’s needs. I have a strong faith and trust in the fellow members of my LAFD family, and I am grateful that I can participate in such a compassionate, empathetic, and generous community.
- How will this scholarship help you? This scholarship will fund my tuition and therefore greatly aid me in my ability to afford an out-of-state school education and experience growth outside of my comfort zone.