Albert "Bert" Howie Memorial Scholarship

My name is Erin Vela, I’ve been a fire fighter since I was 18, and an EMT since I was 17. As a young, female, adult with a chronic illness, I have come to appreciate what the healthcare industry can and currently does for those in need. Regardless of that, as a young lady navigating a male-dominated field; I’ve faced quite a few challenges, and I’ve learned the value in allowing myself to grow, to enjoy the little things, and to work hard even when things get difficult. Firstly, in a field where the stakes are high, and the room for error is nonexistent, I have learned to stand up and keep going when I fall. Weather it’s answering wrong on a test, documenting incorrectly, or saying the wrong thing while doing a patient scenario in class, it isn’t easy to face our faults. This job, and these classes have taught me to allow myself to fall, as long as I’m falling forward. To continue, I’m truly blessed to have the privilege to be apart of this industry, but I don’t want to simply play a part. Part of my goal is to do the grunt work; I want to know the pain of tail-boarding on the engine at 2AM, I want to get the “my toe hurts” calls that wake me up from my sleep, and overall, I want to be the person who can be counted on when people are in need. However, my light at the end of the tunnel will be to get as overly educated in order to give my all to every patient I have. I want to make a difference for those who call for their loved ones, for those who call worried for themselves, and for those who I work along-side with. All in all, I hope to finish school as overly educated as I can be, so that I may be a person for everyone to rely on when the job begins. Im a firm believer that hard work and dedication must take place in the class before anything it can happen anywhere else. Without people who go the extra mile in the classroom, there’d be no good medics. This scholarship would provide an extra boost for that and do nothing short of launch me further into my studies by helping me stay in class so I can meet that goal.

Working with animals invites you into a very exclusive club. There are requirements and certain quirks you have to understand in order to be welcomed in. My sophomore year I would have considered this a silly thought, animals are easy, right? Wrong. For over a year, I have devoted my free time to these little creatures that we call dogs. Slowly but surely I have learned to understand the species, just as I have learned to understand any other thing of life. Working with animals demands unwavering patience and a very detailed eye. Unlike working retail or working in food service, there is a level of responsibility and critical thinking that you must recognize, and fast. Dogs cannot speak in a language we understand, instead we learn through their actions and reactions. Like humans, dogs have quirks. Some whine, some twirl, and some even smile, but each attribute creates their own unique personality. Similar to children, what they need and want are not always obvious, and it certainly is not universally expressed. While one dog's whine means their hurt, another dog may simply be singing. It's a waltz between us and the animals. Learning and memorizing each part of the dance is what enables us to successfully satisfy their needs, while gaining their trust. The customers at this job have introduced me to the very precarious walk that will be working with patients who cannot always express their needs. This job has enticed me to pursue medicine, particularly within children. Advocating for those whose voices are not always clearly understood is something I could see myself joyfully succeeding in. At Barkaritaville, we emphasize the feeling of family and I hope to introduce this idea into any other room I step into, because voices are not always the full story. I looked to continue advocating for my patients in the future. I hope to obtain my medical assistance license by the end of the year and begin working in hospitals while also balancing attending college. My angle is to end up completing a residency in internal medicine and ultimately become a pediatrician. While working with I have learned that not everyone has a voice, but everyone has a story. With my degree, I want to build my career based off the foundation of making sure everyone is heard and understood, even if it takes learning a different language. Medicine is a field where patients are not binary, everyone is different. My experience with animals will help me succeed overall.

Ever since I was young I've always been drawn to the healthcare field. It's always been my end goal to be a Registered Nurse, as I want to be able to aid people in their road to recovery, even if it's only for a moment. This dream of mine has persisted with me, throughout my high school years even now in my senior year I'm participating in my school's dual credit program with Del Mar College, and partaking in the Patient Care Technician and Certified Medical Assisting programs. Even now, I've already begun signing up to colleges and with pride I can say I've been accepted into Del Mar College and plan to pursue a Registered Nursing education and go for my Associate of Applied Science. Once I'm able to reach my career goals and become a Registered Nurse, I hope to make an impact on people's lives, even if it's for only short moments. Whether it'd be as simple as talking to a patient about how their day is going during vitals, or having to do something that may change the course of someone's life, like CPR. If I'm able to make a difference in the world, in people's lives, to have the ability to help the injured and sick get better and thrive again, it would mean the world to me, knowing that I can have that impact and help them during a time when they need it the most. An example of this I'll never forget is when I was participating in my schools Clinical Rotations program and we were at a hospital downtown, me and one of my classmates were doing a bed bath for a patient, and her daughter had been there visiting, and expressing her gratitude towards us for helping taking care of her mom, and how she enjoyed how lively and eager to help make her mom as comfortable as we could, and had even asked for our names and thanked us again once we had finished the bed bath and were about to leave. I'll never forget that day as it was one of the days during Clinical Rotations that reminded me that this is why I want to pursue this goal, that this is why I want to do this as a career, because I want to be able to help people, and despite knowing that they won't always express their gratitude I know deep down that every action, every bit of small talk, and every smile I can give while pursuing and eventually working in the healthcare profession will make everything worth it in the end.

My name is Serenity-Cantu Rodriguez, I am 18 years old, and I grew up in the small town of Banquete, Texas. Growing up here has taught me the value of hard work, responsibility, and planning for the future. Living in a small community sometimes makes opportunities feel limited, but I have learned that setting goals and working toward them step by step can open doors. My goal is to become a radiologic technologist because I am interested in healthcare and technology, and I want to help patients get the care they need. Radiology plays a critical role in diagnosing medical conditions, and being part of that process is something I find meaningful and exciting. Being a big sister has also shaped who I am. Looking after my younger siblings taught me responsibility, patience, and the importance of caring for others. I have learned to be organized, dependable, and thoughtful, and I genuinely enjoy helping people, especially kids. These experiences have shown me that I like making a difference in someone’s life, even in small ways, which is one of the reasons I want to work in healthcare. High school has been both challenging and rewarding. One of my biggest challenges was learning to speak up in class. At first, I was shy and nervous about asking questions or sharing my ideas, but I realized that speaking up is important to understand and learn. Over time, I became more confident in participating in discussions, which has helped me develop communication skills that will be useful in college and my future career. Another challenge was balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and responsibilities at home. Being a member of the National Honor Society required dedication and strong time management skills. I had to maintain good grades while participating in school activities and helping my community. These experiences taught me persistence and determination. I learned that success comes from hard work, organization, and not giving up when things get difficult. After high school, I plan to work as a phlebotomist while attending college for radiology. Working in phlebotomy will give me early experience in the medical field, teach me professional skills, and help me support myself financially while continuing my education. This step-by-step approach will prepare me for a career as a radiologic technologist and allow me to focus on learning while gaining real-world experience. I hope to make a difference in the future by using my education and skills to help patients and improve their experiences in healthcare. I want to provide care that not only addresses medical needs but also offers comfort and support to patients and their families. I hope to inspire others from small towns like mine to pursue their goals, showing that determination and hard work can lead to success. By combining my skills, education, and compassion, I want to make a positive impact on both my community and the healthcare field. Receiving this scholarship would help me focus on my education and take the next step toward my dream of becoming a radiologic technologist. Growing up in Banquete and being a big sister has taught me responsibility, patience, and compassion, and I am ready to use what I have learned to help others and make a positive impact in the future.

I plan to graduate from nursing school in the spring of 2027, and after that, my goal is to join the United States Air Force as a military nurse. This is a path I feel called to follow, and I trust that the Lord will guide my steps along the way. Nursing is more than just a career choice for me—it is a way to serve others, especially those who are at their most vulnerable and unable to care for themselves. Throughout nursing school, I have learned that being a nurse means more than having clinical skills or medical knowledge. It means showing compassion, patience, and understanding to every patient, even in difficult moments. Many people experience fear, pain, or uncertainty when they are sick, and nurses are often the ones who stay by their side. I pray that I will always be someone my patients can feel safe with, and that I can care for them with kindness, respect, and dignity. My desire to join the United States Air Force comes from a strong sense of service and purpose. I admire the commitment and sacrifice of those who serve our country, and I want to contribute in a meaningful way through nursing. As a military nurse, I hope to care for service members and their families while developing leadership skills and resilience in challenging environments. I believe this experience will shape me both professionally and personally, helping me grow into a stronger and more confident nurse. Looking further into the future, I hope to continue advancing my education and eventually pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). This goal reflects my dedication to lifelong learning and providing the highest level of patient care possible. I understand that becoming a CRNA requires hard work, discipline, and perseverance, but I am motivated by the responsibility and impact that role has on patient safety and comfort. Receiving this scholarship would be a huge blessing and would help relieve some of the financial stress that comes with nursing school. It would allow me to focus more fully on my studies and clinical experiences, helping me become the best nurse I can be. With faith, determination, and support, I am committed to using my education to serve others, honor my calling, and make a positive difference in the lives of those I care for. The Lord has given me many opportunities with the hard work and sacrifice of others before me, for I will not waste.