Since I graduated high school I have worked as a public servant. I joined the U.S. Army right out of school. During my time in service I served in one of the last units that guarded the border between a divided Germany before the reunification. I also deployed to protect Saudi Arabia and then took part in the subsequent liberation of Kuwait in the first Gulf War. After my military service I attended Kansas State University, but life changed and I found my true calling: serving others as a firefighter.

In my fifteen years as a firefighter I learned that there was much more to the job than just putting “wet stuff on red stuff.” I was drawn to Emergency Medicine and Hazardous Materials. I found that my brain was as much an asset to me in these subjects as my body. I grew in both skills and knowledge and gradually found myself instructing others in these subjects. As one person I could only have a small effect on my community, but by expanding my reach through teaching others to do what I did, my positive impact would be multiplied considerably.

While I wanted to continue my career as a firefighter, this strenuous and dangerous work had taken a great toll on my body through numerous injuries and I was forced to find another outlet where I could help others. I joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the quest to further assist the greatest number of people that I could with my skills, knowledge, and abilities. The regular hours of my new desk job allowed me to pursue the dream of completing my education, and I have started attending university classes again. The choice of a major was clear to me. By pursuing a degree in Fire Science Management I can return to the field that I miss so much. With this degree I will be able to become a Fire Chief and share my knowledge and experience with an entire department, and all the young firefighters that come through it, thus multiplying my impact once again.

This scholarship money will help me pursue my dream and use my leadership skills to make a positive impact on my world. I have been a public servant for twenty-five years now, and I feel like my greatest impact was made while I was a Captain on the fire department. Not only could I directly help people of my community in need, but I will be able to help others that will be in need in the future by leading and training other firefighters.

Thank you for this opportunity to help me in my quest to help others and have a positive impact on my community.