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.

I learned very early in life what it feels like to be unsafe, unheard, and unseen. I grew up in a low-income household affected by domestic violence, and later found myself in an abusive relationship as an adult. During those moments, what stayed with me most was not only the pain itself, but the absence of someone stepping in to help in a meaningful way. Those experiences deeply shaped who I am today and ultimately led me to pursue a career rooted in service, compassion, and emergency care. I am a single mother and a first-generation college student currently pursuing my education at Del Mar College with the goal of becoming a registered nurse. Returning to school was not easy, but it was necessary—not only for my children, but for myself. I want my children to see that resilience, education, and perseverance can change the direction of a life. More importantly, I want them to grow up understanding that serving others is one of the most powerful and meaningful purposes a person can have. My career goal is to work in high-acuity healthcare settings where individuals are at their most vulnerable. After earning my RN, I hope to work in either the emergency department or a psychiatric unit, environments that require quick thinking, emotional strength, teamwork, and compassion. Long-term, I aspire to become either a trauma nurse practitioner or a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. These roles would allow me to care for patients experiencing not only physical injury, but emotional and psychological trauma as well. I am especially drawn to emergency and mental health care because I understand what it means to need help in a moment of crisis. Whether someone is facing severe physical trauma or mental distress, they deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported. I strive to be the healthcare provider who listens without judgment, advocates for patients, and treats every individual with dignity—especially those who may feel forgotten, overwhelmed, or afraid. This scholarship honors the legacy of Albert Howie and his dedication to emergency service and community care, values that strongly align with my own goals. Like Albert, I hope to serve others during their most difficult moments and contribute to a healthcare system that prioritizes safety, empathy, and trust. Through my future work, I aim to make a lasting impact—not only by saving lives, but by helping people feel seen, protected, and supported when they need it most.

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.