This year, we are proud to announce our 2023 scholarship winner, Owen Strouse! Read below to learn more about Owen:
Scholarship Winners
2023 Winner: Owen Strouse
Hello, my name is Owen Strouse. I am from York, Pennsylvania, where I attended high school at Dallastown Area High School. I became a junior volunteer firefighter at 14 and have served my community as a member of the Yoe Fire Company alongside my father for almost five years. I am now a freshman at Lebanon Valley College, playing collegiate football and studying secondary education, focusing on history. Upon completing my degree in secondary education, I plan to teach history and coach football at my alma mater, Dallastown.
2022 Winner: Daniel Schaefer
Dan Schaefer was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, and lives in Sterling, Virginia, with his wife and three children. Dan has been a Firefighter Paramedic in his hometown for over twenty years and is assigned to the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Public Safety Training Academy where he gets to mentor and shape the careers of new First Responders. Dan is completing a Master of Science in Engineering Management at the George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science. His academic focus is Crisis, Emergency, and Risk Management. Dan’s objective is to use his acquired education to craft and enhance a public safety world to which our children can dedicate their energies for generations to come.
2021 Winner: Michael Rodriguez
Michael Rodriguez resides in Phoenix, AZ, with his wife and two sons. He has been a first responder for eight years and is passionate about helping his community. Michael is currently completing a Master of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology at Grand Canyon University. He hopes to work closely with first responders to advocate for first responder wellness and provide them with adequate mental and physical support to meet the demands of their careers and better serve their communities.
2020 Winner: Shelby Landoll
Shelby Landoll was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She currently resides on the outskirts of Columbus with her husband, who is a first responder, and their energetic four-year-old son. She has been a registered nurse for ten years and feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to fulfill a variety of different roles throughout her career. She is currently pursuing my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in Health Systems Executive Leadership. She hopes to one day erase the inequities and disparities facing our current healthcare system.
2019 Winner: Samantha Everhart
I moved to Houston when I was nine from California; I lived there until about nine years ago when I moved to the DFW area to accept an opportunity that expanded my career, and also happens to be where I met my husband. We have a five-year-old son in kindergarten, who is full of life and has the kindest heart around. When I started my career in the medical field as an EMT/Paramedic 15 years ago, I never thought I would have all the great opportunities I have had to get me where I am today, and I am very thankful for them all. I currently attend the University of Texas at Arlington and am in my Master of Nursing Education program; I am set to graduate next December and plan to help educate future nurses.
2018 Winner: Taylor Adkins
My name is Taylor Adkins. I currently reside in Miami, Florida, and I am a graduate student at the University of Miami. I am in my final year of studies, working toward obtaining my Master of Science in Public Health. My career goal is to help ensure all people, regardless of socioeconomic status receive healthcare equality. My biggest motivation in life is my infant son. He is the number one reason I work to create a better world for all of us.
