2011 Fire Scholars Program
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Merit Scholarships for Future Leaders
Fire Scholars is a merit-based scholarship program sponsored by San Diego Fireman's
Relief Association that provides financial awards to outstanding dependent students of SDFRA members.
Fire Scholars is donor-supported and relies upon gifts from members like you to continue operating. Please make a tax-deductible gift today.
Would you like to apply for this year's Fire Scholars program? The application period is now open!
***The application period is April 15, 2011 - May 15, 2011.***
Click here to download the application packet, which includes
necessary forms and instructions for applicants.
Parents intending to apply for this year's scholarship are strongly encouraged to begin obtaining all current high school and college transcripts for their dependents. These must be official, unopened transcripts to meet the criteria of the Fire Scholars policy.
URGENT NOTICE!
The California Alarm Association conducts a scholarship program for children of police and fire. This is NOT a SDFRA-sponsored or related program, but we encourage our members to apply if the program suits them. You can find out more on their website at http://www.caaonline.org/. Hurry- the deadline is March 31! Contact CAA for details and questions.
About last year's program
Please join SDFRA in congratulation the 2010 Fire Scholars!
College Students
Will M. Wiegand, son of retired member Will Wiegand
Antoinette Kitch, daughter of retired member Lonnie Kitch
High School Students
Connor Valenzuela, son of Captain Steve Valenzuela
Kyle Barnes, son of Battalion Chief Ken Barnes
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| Connor Valenzuela, 2010 High School Fire Scholar, accepts his award from SDFRA Board Members George Duardo and Dan Faddis at the Fire Scholars Luncheon. |
With almost 20 applications received for these competitive scholarships, these students really stood out from the crowd. Please join us in congratulating them and their families when you see them.
Applications were scored and ranked by an independent, 3rd party educator. All identifying information is removed from each application to ensure that the winners are chosen by merit.
Each applicant must submit an exhaustive application form, official high school and college transcripts, and complete an essay which is the primary basis for the evaluation and scoring process. All applicants are ranked by score and returned to San Diego Fireman's Relief Association for announcement and presentation of the awards.
This year's scholarship luncheon took place at The Coronado Brigantine. Connor Valenzuela and Kyle Barnes, the high school Fire Scholars, were able to accept their awards in person, joined by their families at the event. Neither of the 2010 College Fire Scholars were able to get away from their studies to attend the awards luncheon, but their awards were accepted on their behalf by family members.
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| Kyle Barnes, son of Battalion Chief Ken Barnes, also became a 2010 Fire Scholar. |
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| Chief Mainar also attended to congratulate the 2010 Fire Scholars. |
This year's essay topic was about hope. Each student wrote about how they wanted to use their education to build a brighter future for our community and country. Following are excerpts of their thoughts on the power of education to dispel apathy and despair while instilling hopefulness.
"Paving the way for a brighter future is no small task, and obviously no single person has the capability of single handedly flipping America's recession around. It will take a cooperative effort to point this nation in the right direction again."
- Nicholas Ester, son of Battalion Chief Kevin Ester
"Through art, people will be far more inspired to finding out what the challenges are and what they are being asked to do to make a difference in the world."
-Katharine Rogers, daughter of retired Firefighter Jody Rogers
"I hope that my education can help me to help others in their quest for living healthy, active lifestyles."
- Madalon Cahoon, daughter of Firefighter Jack Cahoon
"I am determined to build a brighter future for the country by continuing to challenge my work ethic, and by educating myself about the problems our nation faces while remaining open to all possible solutions."
- Taylor Makena Diaz, son of Firefighter Antonia J. Diaz
Congratulations to all the applicants for this year's Fire Scholars program. You are all winners.
Make a Tax-Deductible Gift to San Diego Fireman's Relief Association to support Fire Scholars
Are you a past scholar who has benefited from a Fire Scholars scholarship award? A family member of a student? A community member who wants to support higher education opportunities for firefighter families? Make a donation today. Thank you for your support!
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