Jake Hanson / Leo K. Najarian Memorial Scholarship
University Attending: Whitworth University
Major: Computer Science
Education and Career Goals: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Become an independent game designer, making my own games, programming code and art.
What inspires you? Space, the infinite. While space may make some feel small, the thought of space makes me feel blessed that in all the vastness, I exist.
Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: Boy Scouts (started as a Cub Scout in 1st grade), hiking, camping, cooking, first aid, gaming (board, card and electronic). Helped start high school strategy club Soccer 9th-11th.
List Any Awards: Soccer 9th-11th. Awarded Most Improved Varsity Player and Most Likely to Score a Goal for a Slurpee Student-led chess tournament two time winner Spring 2021. Accepted at Whitworth with honors with Scholarships $110,900/Grants $26,000.
What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? Being part of a firefighter family gives me a consistent amount of comfort knowing that there is someone in my family who is prepared to help those around with emergencies. It is also a great conversation starter.
How will this scholarship help you? This scholarship will take the financial weight off my parent’s shoulders. My first choice college is both out of state and private. Whitworth is such a perfect fit for me and having this scholarship will help offset the cost.
Camryn Deann Carmona / Bill Goss Scholarship
University Attending: University of Oregon
Major: Biology
Education & Career goals: Career goals of mine include getting my undergraduate degree in biology and a minor in chemistry at the University of Oregon. Later I hope to return to California to get my doctor of physical therapy degree.
What inspires you? When people think of dance studios, they think of pink tutus, ballet bars, and high buns. They don’t recognize the inspiration, lifelong lessons and connections that one builds while growing up at a dance studio. The first thing my dance teacher told my parents was to “Trust the process.” I wasn’t born with the natural flexibility it takes to be a dancer, but I had the passion and commitment that got me where I am. Trusting the process means that you don’t quit when you are at a disadvantage. You fight and trust, and fight some more. The lessons that I learned at my dance studio shaped me and developed my thought process. I made sacrifices and gave up my childhood for dance, but the people at the studio became my family. The bonds created within those studio walls are invaluable. The girls were sisters and the teachers were our second moms. When times were tough, we went through it collectively. We laughed together, we cried together, and we won together. It’s impossible to fake a connection on stage, and we performed really well because our bond was always strong. Lesson #9 “The world is as big or small as you choose it to be… open your mind, and your soul will follow…” Lesson #53 “In order to be successful…never stay in the same place.” These lessons have inspired me that change helps you grow, and without it, you can never determine who you truly are as a human. Moving to Oregon is going to be a change, but one that will further help me progress towards my dreams. Dance has brought me the inspiration to “trust the process” as I enter the next chapter in my life.
Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: My hobbies include dancing, working out, and hanging out with friends. I’ve been commissioner of dances and social events, activities, athletics, and academics, and rallies during my time in ASB . I’m Captain of the Varsity Dance Team and have been on the team for 4 years.
Awards:
- Leadership in Dance Award
- Principal’s Award
- Voted best event for 2022 in ASB
- ASB President’s Award 2021
- Honor roll (2018-2022)
What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family?
The LAFD is more than a job for my dad. It is our extended family. It has given me more than I could have ever imagined and not from a material or monetary standpoint. It has given me a community, a drive, and a commitment to be a good leader. From visiting the fire stations as a young girl, celebrating victories and achievements, to helping my dad practice his interview introduction for Captain. We are all in!
When friends talk about how they spent their holidays, it typically doesn’t involve visiting their parents at work. For me that’s where I saw the magic happen. Bells sounding, the hustle of the station, members in the kitchen, playing handball, and taking pictures in front of the fire truck. That’s what I will always remember the most. I won’t lie when I say it’s where I thought my dream job would be. Yes, up until 2 years ago I wanted to be an LAFD firefighter. Plans changed and that’s okay. My heart and soul will forever be part of LAFD. So for now, I will continue to be a proud daughter who wears all her dad’s old LAFD sweatshirts with pride and continue making memories at the station.
How will this scholarship help you? This scholarship is a way for me to give back to my parents and thank them for what they have given me. They have allowed me to continue my dreams of going to college. My dream is to attend the University of Oregon, be on the dance team, pursue my undergraduate education in biology to be a physical therapist, and help others. With these dreams comes a hefty price tag and the additional burden of out-of-state tuition, which is almost double compared to a California college. Along with books, dorm costs, flights, and living expenses. This can add up very quickly. Both parents have given up significant amounts of time and money to make sure I am given opportunities neither of them had. This scholarship will lessen that burden on them.
Carmen I. Ibarra / Relief Scholarship
University Attending: San Diego State University
Major: Psychology
Education and Career Goals: My education goals are to earn my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology. I hope to earn my master’s in a specific type of psychology which I will figure out as I learn more and develop as a psychology major while in college. Some careers that I am interested in are being a school psychologist or being a clinical psychologist.
What inspires you? What inspires me is the community I grew up in. My community has shaped me into the person I am today with their unconditional support and guidance throughout my years. I strive to make my community proud and give back to them however I can.
Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: I ran cross country all four years of high school which influenced my positive relationship with my body, building sportsmanship, and having an ambitious mentality. It also influenced me and my fellow teammate to start a volunteer/running club at my high school called Student Runners for Public Lands which focuses on sustainability and being good stewards of the beautiful earth. We offer many volunteer opportunities to maintain the beautiful trails, beaches, and parks that we are blessed to be able to access. We have also held fundraisers for Channel Islands National State Park and donated an oak tree at a trail called Harmon Canyon in Ventura, CA in honor of a former cross country teammate.
List Any Awards: I have been on the Honor Roll at my school all four years of high school and well as the Scholar-Athlete Award.
What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? Being a part of a firefighter family means dedication to serving your community even in the face of sacrifice. It truly is hero work and provides such a safe presence in communities that need it in times of hardship and struggle. To be a part of the LAFD family also means having a strong community that will always be there to support you which is very comforting.
How will this scholarship help you? This scholarship will immensely help me pursue my passion for learning more about the extremely interesting study of psychology and using this powerful knowledge to pay it forward to my community. I recognize that I am very privileged to be able to pursue higher education with the support of my family and LAFD and I will definitely not let it go to waste. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to better myself academically so I can reach my fullest potential in the field of psychology.
Presley Elle Jones / Relief Scholarship
University Attending: Pepperdine University
Major: Psychology
Education and Career Goals: I hope to earn my Masters in Psychology, with either a double major or a minor in criminology. I want to pursue a career working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation being a behavioral analyst.
What inspires you? The people who I surround myself with have the biggest impact on me and are the people who inspire me daily. Both my parents and my grandparents are extremely hardworking and dedicated to what they do and their work ethics are what inspire me to go after things and work diligently to attain them.
Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: I enjoy working the most. I work at a restaurant, I am a nanny and I work as a personal assistant on merchandise photoshoots in Los Angeles. I also love to be outdoors and go hiking and explore.
List Any Awards: Valedictorian, Honor roll, AP Scholar.
What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? Being part of a firefighter family meant that my dad did not have a normal job that all my friend’s dads had. My dad showed me what it meant to be a hard and diligent worker, while also still enjoying his career.
How will this scholarship help you? This scholarship gives me the opportunity to be able to attend my dream school, whereas without the additional funding I might not be able to attend. Nowadays, college is one of the biggest expenses that people take on while they are still so young. With this scholarship, I won’t have to worry about taking out massive amounts of student loans and I can instead focus on my education and career.
Lauren E. Galler / Relief Scholarship
University Attending: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Major: Animal Science
Education and Career Goals: I plan to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and major in animal science on the pre-vet track in the fall. I have had a strong passion for biological sciences and animals for as long as I can remember and being able to turn my passions into a job is a goal for me, so I would like to earn a DVM to hopefully become a veterinarian in the future.
What inspires you? My parents inspire me the most because of the passion that they have for their careers and their interests. Their passion for their careers influences me in the best way possible and have basically shaped me into who I am today. They have pursued their own career goals, and I hope to do the same.
Hobbies, Sports or Clubs: Sparkles Cheer, Wings to Grow, Knitting is Giving, Swim
List Any Awards: IB Diploma Candidate; Top GPA
What does it mean to be part of a firefighter family? Being a part of the LAFD family has shown me the importance of hard work and dedication in order to serve the community. The love and support from this family has helped me develop into the person I am today, as I have developed several memories with the people I have met throughout the years. Every person I have met has pushed me to become the best version of myself and to become passionate about helping those within my community in any way that I can.
How will this scholarship help you? This scholarship will help me by allowing me to focus on my education rather than worrying about money while in college.
Click here for the 2020 Scholarship Winners
Click here for the 2021 Scholarship Winners
