EMS Founders Scholarship

I vividly remember my mom picking me up from school in fourth grade and sharing the news. Through tears, I asked if he was going to be okay. She told me we could only hope for the best. My grandfather needed emergency heart surgery. That day, I first understood how frightening it is to be on the patient side of medicine—where uncertainty and fear take over. Seven years later, I found myself in a position I never expected. After volunteering at a hospital for six months, a cardiothoracic surgeon invited me to observe a procedure. I had always been drawn to medicine, but I was unsure of what path to pursue. That uncertainty disappeared the moment I stepped into the operating room. I watched a robotic open-heart surgery unfold before me—the same procedure my grandfather had undergone, now transformed by advanced technology. At first, I stood quietly in the corner, careful not to get in the way. A few hours later, the surgeon invited me closer. Standing over the patient, I saw his beating heart. I was struck by its precision and complexity. Each chamber worked in coordination, each vessel sustaining life through a steady rhythm. In that moment, everything became clear. I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to preserving that rhythm—to giving patients and their families a second chance. Since then, I have sought opportunities to further immerse myself in medicine. While shadowing a plastic surgeon, I observed a breast cancer patient whose silence revealed her fear. She avoided eye contact, clearly overwhelmed. I imagined what it must feel like to hear such a diagnosis. What stood out most, however, was the physician’s compassion. He guided her through treatment options while offering reassurance, showing me that medicine is not only about clinical skill, but also about empathy. As a hospital volunteer, I escort patients to pre-operative rooms, often during moments of heightened anxiety. I strive to be a calm, friendly presence—someone who can ease even a small part of their fear. These experiences have shown me that medicine extends beyond procedures; it is about trust, comfort, and connection. Having experienced both sides of care, I am driven by a deep sense of purpose. What began as a moment of fear has become a lifelong calling. I aspire to pursue cardiology and to be part of the reason families are given more time together—just as mine was. My dad's name is Mark Gibson, and he has worked as an inside sales representative for ten years.

Hello! My name is Victoria Miller, and my mother, Holly Miller, is a sales supervisor and has worked there for 12 years. I am currently a Sophomore studying Agricultural Education at Tarleton State University! In high school I was very involved with Ag-related activities, whether that was holding FFA officer positions, showing animals, speaking in leadership development events, judging livestock, or being on my county's Junior Fair Board team. Through these experiences, I not only developed practical agriculture skills but also gained leadership abilities, responsibility, and a strong connection to my community. While I valued every opportunity I was given in FFA, one of the most meaningful things was the chance to mentor younger students. Whether it was helping someone prepare for a speaking event or encouraging them in the show ring, I found joy in watching others' confidence grow. Those moments helped me realize that Ag Ed is about more than technical knowledge; it's about shaping individuals into hardworking, confident, and capable people. This was the foundation of my decision to pursue a career in teaching agriculture. My goal as a future ag teacher is to create an environment where students feel safe, supported, and challenged to succeed. I want to provide students with opportunities to those who shaped me, while also helping them discover their own passions with agriculture. I strive to be a teacher who not only educates but also builds strong relationships with students and encourages them to reach their full potential. Attending Tarleton State has allowed me to take important steps towards achieving my goals. Through my coursework and field experiences, I am gaining the knowledge and skills to become an effective and prepared teacher. The program is helping me grow more confident and become a more open-minded individual who is ready to meet the diverse needs of future students. I am learning more about the agriculture industry, how to create lesson plans, manage a classroom, and give a positive learning environment that is both academic and personal growth. In the future, I hope to have a successful agriculture program that not only teaches students about the agriculture industry but also prepares them for life after high school. I want to inspire students to become engaged, respectful, and motivated individuals who understand the value of hard work and dedication. Ultimately, my goal is to make a lasting impact on my students' lives, just as my Ag teachers and experiences did for me. By sharing my passion for agriculture and investing in my students, I hope to help shape the generation of leaders in the agriculture industry.

My name is Andres Rodriguez, and I am a student at the Sports Academy of Wellington with a 3.7 GPA (as of June 2025- better now). I'm a senior and part of the Premier Baseball team at the academy. During my high school career, I have taken AICE, AP and Honor classes, always focused on mathematics and biology. My first semester as a senior, I took two AP classes, Language Arts Honors, Engineering, Biotechnology and nutrition classes, and achieved a 4.2 GPA. I am passionate about challenging myself both academically and athletically, especially through my dedication to baseball. My long-term goal is to attend college in Florida where I can continue developing as both a student and an athlete while preparing for a successful future. I strive to become someone who leads by example, works relentlessly toward improvement, and gives back to my community. I'm most passionate about baseball. I started playing the sport at 3 years old and felt in love with the game. I'm thankful that my parents have supported me all this time. I have played different positions, but right now my main focus to be a pitcher. Baseball has always been a very important part of my life, even as a little boy I remember watching my uncles play professionally, and my dream has always been to follow their footsteps. I love creating and understand how things go together, so I have always had an interest in engineering, biology and environmental sciences. I originally wanted to create healthy habits for myself, until I realized most big-name sources are unreliable. So, I decided to do my own research and became fixed on creating something better. This is why I'm interested in the biotechnological field. I want to participate in creating healthy and sustainable ways for people to live. Specifically interested in improving agricultural methods that have fewer negative effects on the environment and more positive effects on our community. I believe I am a strong candidate for this scholarship because I am committed to making the most of every opportunity I am given. I work hard to balance academics with high-level athletic training, and I am determined to use my education to build a meaningful career and create opportunities for myself and others. My mother's name is Legny Rodriguez. She has been working at EMS for 22 years in various roles and is now the Export Sales Manager. We are thankful for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and the support EMS has always given me.

My name is Carter Virsik, and my father's name is Jeff Virsik, who has been an EMS employee since 2023 at the Charlotte, North Carolina location. I am a current sophomore in college studying business administration with a concentration in sales. I also have a biology minor, as I have aspirations to become a physical therapist. I am extremely motivated to join a field of work that helps people every single day. I am a current college athlete and have dealt with a good amount of injuries throughout my high school career and, unfortunately, into my college career as well. Therefore, I have spent a lot of time rehabbing my injuries and because of this, I developed an interest in how the human body operates. I want to combine this eagerness for knowledge about the human body and my desire to help others, and no better way to do this than through physical therapy. But my ambition does not stop there. I eventually want to own my own PT practice (hence the business major) so I can reach a larger number of athletes to help. Along with physical therapy, I also have an interest in the biomedical world. As advancements are made in technology, our healthcare professionals are better equipped to save lives. Biotechnology is a rapidly advancing field and I find it incredibly exciting to follow. The idea that innovation can directly improve recovery outcomes, reduce injury risk, and extend athletic careers is something that strongly resonates with me. I am particularly interested in how new rehabilitation technologies, data tracking, and treatment methods can be integrated into physical therapy practices to create more personalized and effective care plans. This curiosity drives me to not only learn the fundamentals in the classroom, but also stay engaged with emerging trends that could shape the future of healthcare. My educational path reflects this balance between science and business. Through my biology minor, I am building a strong foundation in human anatomy and physiology, which is essential for a career in physical therapy. At the same time, my studies in business administration—specifically in sales—are helping me develop communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills that will be critical when managing a practice. I believe that being able to connect with patients, understand their needs, and build trust is just as important as clinical knowledge. Beyond academics, being a college athlete has taught me discipline, resilience, and time management. Balancing training, competition, and coursework has pushed me to stay focused on my long-term goals. My experiences with injury have also given me a unique perspective. I understand firsthand the frustration of being sidelined and the importance of having a knowledgeable and supportive physical therapist. This perspective motivates me to provide that same level of care and encouragement to others in the future. Ultimately, my goal is to create a physical therapy practice that not only treats injuries but also emphasizes prevention, education, and long-term wellness. I want to build an environment where athletes feel supported throughout every stage of their journey, from recovery to peak performance. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue pursuing these goals by allowing me to focus on my education and professional development. I am committed to using my experiences, education, and passion to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

My academic journey is driven by my ambition to practice corporate and employment law. Currently, I attend the University of South Florida, where I am pursuing a degree in Political Science with a pre-law focus. This path reflects both my passion for understanding the legal framework that shapes our society and my long-term goal of practicing law in a way that directly impacts individuals and organizations. My interest in this field comes from wanting to help create fair, ethical, and legally sound workplaces.I want to be able to advise businesses on how to operate ethically and within the law, while also advocating for employees who may face unfair treatment. This balance is important to me because I believe a strong workplace benefits both organizations and the people within them. My academic experience has strengthened my understanding of how legal systems operate and how policies are developed and enforced. Along with academics, my involvement in student organizations and community engagement has played an important role in shaping my leadership skills and professional goals. As a member of Student Government, I have gained experience in representation, collaboration, and decision-making, while learning how to advocate for the needs and concerns of others in a structured environment. This experience has strengthened my ability to communicate effectively and work with diverse groups toward shared goals. Additionally, my participation in the Women in Pre-Law Society has connected me with a supportive network of peers who share similar ambitions in the legal field. Through this organization, I have been able to engage in professional development opportunities, explore different areas of law, and gain insight from others who are also preparing for law school. It has reinforced my commitment to pursuing a legal career and helped me build confidence in my academic and professional path. My involvement in community service has also been meaningful, as it has allowed me to give back while developing a deeper understanding of the challenges people face in everyday life. These experiences have strengthened my sense of empathy and my desire to advocate for fairness and equity, particularly in professional and workplace settings. Every opportunity I engage in, whether academic, organizational, or service-based, brings me closer to becoming a knowledgeable, ethical, and impactful attorney. In the upcoming years, I hopefully plan to attend a Florida law school and make an impact in the community I grew up in, Palm Beach, Florida. I am committed to continuing my education through undergraduate and law school, where I will further develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to enter the legal profession. I understand that this path requires discipline, perseverance, and dedication, and I am prepared to meet those challenges. My Mother, Kristyn Endler is the Director of Human Resources, and has been employed by EMS for twelve years.