This year the Los Angeles Fire Department Scholarship Fund awarded four $5000 scholarship grants. The Merit Scholar Awards are cash grants, made possible through the Jean Perkins Foundation, of up to $20,000 ($5,000 per year while the student continues to be enrolled and making normal progress toward a college degree). To be eligible, a student must be the child or stepchild of an active or fallen LAFD sworn employee. The eligible student must be a high school senior or college freshman, who will be enrolled in the fall as a full-time student in an accredited college or university. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit. The single most important factor is academic achievement, but the all-civilian selection committee considered other relevant criteria, including personal character and extracurricular accomplishments.
The selection committee reviewed each application which consisted of two essays, school transcripts and two letters of recommendation. Of the 42 eligible applicants, 11 finalists were selected to interview and four were chosen as the 2014 Merit Scholar winners. A ceremony to recognize this year’s winners was conducted by Capt. II Jaime Moore at FHMTC on June 10, 2014, followed by a reception.
This year’s seven Runner-Up Award winners are to be congratulated for their outstanding merits. Each received a one time grant of $2,500. They are Catherine Collins, Amy Fistonich, Ryan Flynn, Maya Harmon, Vanessa Lopez, Victoria Lopez, and Ayanna McKnight.
This year’s “Best Essay” award of $2,500 was generously sponsored by the LAFD Foundation. Karen Wagener, President of the LAFD Foundation, presented the award to this year’s winner, Catherine Collins.
The four 2014 award recipients and their bios are as follows:
Candace Johnson is a graduating senior from Palos Verdes High School and the daughter of Captain II Andre Johnson, assigned to the High Rise Unit (28 years LAFD). Candace will be attending Columbia University, Fu Foundation School of Engineering majoring in Computer Science. Candace has devoted over 500 hours as a volunteer for Kiwanis Project Shoe, delivering shoes and backpacks to under privileged children. She served as a Project L.I.F.E. instructor for black middle school students. Candace served as captain of her Real Estate and Stock Market team while participating as a UCLA Riordan Scholar. She was also the president and founder of PVHS’ FIRST Robotic Competition. Candace has been captain of PVHS’ Varsity Track and Field Team since her freshman year. She competes in hurdles and sprints and helped set the school record twice in the 4 by 100 relay. Candace has received awards for Principal’s Honor Roll, National Honors Society, California Scholarship Federation, and AP Scholar. Candace is graduating with a 4.7 GPA
Madison Miller is a graduating senior from Bishop Montgomery High School, and the daughter of Captain II Kenneth S. Miller, F.S. 48 (23 years LAFD). She will be attending UC Berkeley, majoring in Political Science. Madison is a Eucharistic minister and peer team leader at her parish. She also helps facilitate leadership workshops for middle school students during Student Leadership Day at BMHS. She has been a volleyball athlete for four years and chosen team captain her junior and senior years. She also volunteers as head coach of 7th and 8th grade boy’s volleyball team at church and at a local park. Madison has earned Scholar Athlete Award 2011-2014. She has served as an ASB officer two years. She received awards for Principal’s Honor Roll and National Honor Society. She has also received the George Montgomery Scholar Award for 4.3+ GPA and will be Gold Seal Bearer at graduation. Madison graduates with a 4.4 GPA.
Marek Olivas is a graduating senior at High Tech High North County and the son of Firefighter III Jose “Tony” Olivas, assigned to MFC (33 years LAFD). Marek will be attending USC, majoring in Biology. Last summer Marek traveled to the Amazon Rain Forest where he farmed, installed solar panes, and taught dental hygiene in Spanish. He has also acted as a lead student facilitator in HTHNC’s School-Wide Community Day of P.E.A.C.E., a student organization that empowers students to assist one another with the stresses of adolescence. Marek is currently interning at Salk Institute for Biological Studies which provides opportunities for high school students to experience life in a scientific laboratory, and explore careers in science. Marek played club football as a center defender and in 2013 played center defender, and as team captain lead HTHNC’s Varsity Soccer Team to become league champions. Marek is an honors student and received the National Hispanic Scholar Award. Marek graduates with a 4.2 GPA.
Jake Reyna is a graduating senior at La Serna High School and is the son of Capt. II Gilbert A. Reyna, assigned to FS 112 (35 years LAFD). He will be attending UCLA and majoring in Systems and Informatics Biology. Jake enjoys volunteering for Operation Smile, which raises funds to provide free surgery to repair cleft lip and other facial deformation for children around the globe. He also participates with Key Club with over 150 volunteer hours. Jake is an active Link Crew member, assisting high school freshman with transitioning into high school. Jake is a varsity doubles tennis player and during the summer he works as a tennis instructor. He is a member of the Spanish Honors Society and has received the NHRP Scholar award, is a National Merit Scholar and Scholar Athlete. He has received “Top 25” Honors from 2011 – 2014. Jake graduates with a 4.4 GPA.
We were honored to have three of our past scholarship recipients attend the awards ceremony: Molly Casanova ’07, Christina Johnson ‘07, Carrine Johnson ‘10. They not only shared their college experiences, but provided words of encouragement to our 2014 winners
We would like to thank Mr. James Carroll III and Mr. Joe Connolly, Executive Board Members of the Jean Perkins Foundation and, the LAFD Merit Scholarship Fund’s Board of Directors, John Anglin, Dick Barrett, Barbara Bagley, G. Louis Graziadio III, Tom Mizo and Robert Nicholas for their dedication and support of our members and their children. We are also grateful to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation for their sponsorship of the “Best Essay” award and to the LAFD Sertoma Club, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, LAFD Historical Society, the Los Angeles Firefighter’s Association, and the Firefighters First Credit Union, who sponsored the awards reception, “Thank You” for your continued support.
The announcement for the 2015 competition should be posted early January 2015, at www.lafd.org/scholarship. Thank you again, and we look forward to the ninth LAFD Merit Scholarship competition.