The Los Angeles Fire Department Scholarship Fund awarded four $5000 scholarship grants in 2015. The Merit Scholar Awards are cash grants, made possible through the Jean Perkins Foundation, of up to $20,000 ($5,000 per year). To be eligible, a student must be the child or stepchild of an active or fallen LAFD sworn employee, a high school senior or college freshman, and enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited college or university. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit with the single most important factor being.
The awardees demonstrated excellence in academic studies, good character, leadership, distinction in extra-curricular activities, personal accomplishments and a potential for future success. Each application consisted of two essays, school transcripts and two letters of recommendation.
Of the 29 eligible applicants, eight finalists were selected to interview and continue the process. The combination of excellent applicants and a positive and determined board, resulted in the selection of four 2016 Merit Scholar winners. A ceremony to recognize this year’s winners was conducted by Capt. I Daniel Curry at FHMTC on June 1, 2016.
The four Runner-Up Award winners are to be congratulated for their outstanding merits. Each received a one time grant of $2,500. They are Mitchell Casanova, Timothy Ruiz, Danielle Shapiro, and Olivia Terrazas.
The “Best Essay” award of $2,500 was generously sponsored by the LAFD Foundation. President Karen Wagener presented the award to Brandon Gonzalez.
The Ron Fujikawa Leadership award was added to the 2015 competition. Dick Barrett presented this year’s winner, Hayley Taggart with a $2,500 award.
The four 2016 award recipients and their bios are as follows:
DUSTIN HUDSON is graduating from West Ranch High School and the son of Inspector I Jeffrey Hudson, Film Unit (27 years LAFD). He will attend USC, majoring in Business Administration. Since 2013, Dustin has been operating an e-Bay online store, selling high end designer items. He devotes countless hours to his passion for business. Although he has a thriving online business, Dustin gives back to his community by volunteering 20 hours a month to various organizations. As Project Chair for the Boys and Girl’s Cub and Key Club at school, he helps coordinate events and volunteer opportunities. He also volunteers with Safe Rides, providing rides to students under the influence, and with Bridge to the Future, which exposes students to science, math and technology. Dustin is a member of EDU Africa, established by his school to fundraise for two schools in Somaliland. Dustin was selected by his peers to receive the Social Studies Department Award, for exhibiting respect, honesty, integrity and personal accountability. Dustin is a member of National Honor Society, and has received the AP Scholar Distinction Award 2015. Dustin graduates with a 4.4 GPA.
ELISABETH MARCIANO is graduating from Royal High School and daughter of Firefighter III Jeffrey Marciano FS 3 (12 years LAFD). Elisabeth will be attending Cal Poly SLO, majoring in Liberal Studies for Elementary Education. Elisabeth has been involved in education since 2012 as a bible school leader. She has been assisting in a peer tutoring program and volunteers to provide childcare during school events. As ASB VP, she has chaired the Publicity Committee. She has worked on the Mr. Highlander pageant, a talent show to raise funds for Harrison Hugs, in honor of a RHS student who passed away due to a heart condition. She is into competitive dance and a member of the RHS Dance team. Elisabeth received the Reagan Diploma Seal 2015-16 for Student Involvement. Her dance awards include Judges Choice Award 2016 and Choreography and Contemporary Duet Awards ’16. She is a member of National Honors Society, and the California Scholarship Federation. Her chords for graduation include Leadership, National Honor Society and Key Club. Elisabeth graduates with a 4.2 GPA
SARAH PONCE is graduating from Murrieta Valley High School and the daughter of Captain II Paul Ponce, FS 29 (27 years LAFD). Sarah will attend the University of Portland majoring in Biology and Neuroscience. She is a member in the following clubs: Lupus Warriors (founder), IB Club, Tower Bridge International (Ambassador), and Calculus Leaders of the Future. The full International Baccalaureate Diploma Program involves the Ragnar Relay, an arduous 36-hour three-leg run to raise funds for Free the Children charity. As Team Captain, Sarah found donors, planned group runs, created costumes, and encouraged her teammates to physically prepare. Though this was out of her comfort zone, Sarah demonstrated management and leadership skills under pressure. he was chosen as a China – US Cultural Exchange Envoy, receiving a trip to China where she served as journalist for the Study Abroad Magazine in Beijing. Sarah’s awards and honors include, Senior Wings – Determined Senior with Integrity and Leadership Skills, Nighthawk Achievement for Diligent Study, IB Perfect Score, AP Scholars Award, and National Honors Society. Sarah graduates with a 4.7 GPA
HAYLEY TAGGART is graduating from Newbury Park High School and the daughter of Capt. Kelly Taggart, FS 5 (16 years LAFD). Hayley will attend Utah State University majoring in Family and Consumer Science Education. Hayley teamed up with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to raise thousands of dollars to fight childhood cancer. As Mission Chair, Hayley inspires her classmates to fight cancer by organizing the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at NPHS. Hayley is currently president of the Cal State FHA-HERO student organization, a pre-professional organization for students enrolled in Home Economics and Technology programs. As president of FHA-HERO, she has attended planning meetings in Sacramento. She inspired state-wide chapters to join in fundraising over $100,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and received national recognition for their efforts. She is a member of the NPHS Varsity Swim team for three years and Varsity Water Polo team for four years – Co- Captain ’15. Hayley’s honors and awards include: Principal Scholar Athlete and Honor Roll, Coach’s Award ’13, AP Scholar with Honor Award ’15 and received the Ronald Reagan Student Award Summer ‘15. Hayley graduates with a 4.5 GPA.
Ten years ago the LAFD Scholarship Fund was established with the approval of then-Fire Chief William R. Bamattre. We were honored to have Chief Bamattre attend the tenth annual awards ceremony. Also in attendance were eleven past scholarship winners, Molly Casanova ’07, Michael A. Rodriguez ’08, Tamara J. McCarty ’09, Carrine Johnson ’14, David Phillips ’12, Kenna Arana ’13, Candace Johnson ’14, Madison Miller ’14 and Marek Olivas ’14, Emily Vidovich ’15 and Brian Zabilski ‘15. They shared their college experiences and provided encouragement to our 2016 winners
We would like to thank James Carroll III and Joe Connolly, Executive Board Members of the Jean Perkins Foundation and, the LAFD Merit Scholarship Fund’s Board of Directors, John Anglin, Dick Barrett -president, G. Louis Graziadio III -secretary, Vicky Leck, Tom Mizo, Robert Nicholas – treasurer and Molly Taylor for their dedication and support of our members and their children. We are also grateful to the LAFD Foundation for their sponsorship of the “Best Essay” award and to the LAFD Sertoma Club,UFLAC, LAFD Historical Society, the Los Angeles Firefighter’s Association, Stentorians of Los Angeles City and the Firefighters First Credit Union.
The announcement for the 2017 competition should be posted early January 2017. Please check out our website at www.lafdscholarshipfund.org for background, scholarship and past winner information. We also accept online, tax deductible donations to continue providing scholarship grants.