At a young age, I have always struggled in academia. Every year, I was placed in summer school to make up for failed classes. I always thought college was not for me due to my lack of confidence in my academic performance. I joined the US Navy at 18, upon graduation from High School. I joined as a Hospital Corpsman, commonly known as a "Combat Medic." My first duty station was a hospital in Okinawa, Japan, where I served three years in Emergency Medicine, Labor and Delivery, and the Surgical Ward.
After that command, I was stationed with the 1st Marine Division. I served three years in the US Marine Corps infantry units: 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, and 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. My time in the military, particularly in active combat zones like Baghdad, Iraq, has honed my ability to work under pressure, make quick decisions, and provide immediate medical care. These experiences have shaped my character and prepared me for the challenges of a medical career.
After completing those orders, I was assigned to Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton for three years. There, I taught Combat Medicine. I then deployed on a humanitarian mission, where I taught combat medicine and basic lifesaving skills to eight different third-world countries for six months.
During that time, I found a passion for medicine. Consequently, I was diagnosed with ADHD. As an adult, I felt uncomfortable, and I thought I was misdiagnosed. Having been prescribed Adderall, my grades went from Cs and barely passing in college to straight As and earning a spot on the Dean's List. I then realized that the issue was my undiagnosed ADHD as a kid. I assumed I just wasn't smart enough for college, let alone to one day be a Physician.
Growing up poor and struggling in school, I thought college would never be a goal I could achieve. I have always wanted to be the first in my family with a college degree and make my single mother of four children, who was a domestic violence survivor, proud.
I am 28 years old, with a burning passion for knowledge and medicine. My obsession and quest for knowledge originated from treating injured marines in foreign lands and applying all the knowledge I was taught. I have witnessed some marines' condition decline and exhale their last breath. I knew I could have saved them if only I knew more. I walked away from Iraq with one dark, deep-rooted thought I have been unable to shake - "I couldn't prevent these deaths, but If only I knew more, maybe I could have." This event is one of many that have sent me relentlessly on the path to becoming a Doctor of Medicine.
This scholarship will help me towards my goal, as my GI bill will not cover medical school or my final educational destination. I want to use everything I learn from medical school and residency to give back to low-income communities, as that's what I was raised in.
In the attached photo is the grave of my best man, friend, and brother. His dream was to pursue the same route. We enlisted in the Navy together, and both had the same goal of becoming M.D. together; he took his life due to PTSD and depression two years ago. I visit his grave every year and reflect on my life, and I like to track the progress of how close I am to our goal. In a way becominga an M.D. and continue on living feels like I am keeping his memory alive, it gives me more drive.
I grew up in Albuquerque, NM and have plane spotted from the moment I could identify aircraft. My mother, a 20 year and current FAA flight safety manager, has always had an office near Kirtland Air Base which allowed me the unique opportunity to grow up near many aviators. In 2017 I commissioned into the U.S. Navy as a Naval Flight Officer. Since then I've flown near 1000 hours in the E-2D Hawkeye and due to USNTPS I've gathered a number of hours in 18 different aircraft.
During my fleet tour in The World Famous VAW-113 Black Eagles I was given the opportunity to lead the avionics division of 27 sailors in the maintenance of 5 E-2D aircraft on our 2021-22 South Pacific Cruise aboard the USS Carl Vinson. As you may know avionics can be not only wildly complex, but in the military require significant cryptographic interfacing. Many troubles were developed while on deployment as we were flying, at the time, the newest and most advanced E-2D aircraft and software. Fortunately, I was able to lead not only my avionics technicians and electricians but also the ships cryptographic vault in the proper troubleshooting and problem solving, to bring the entire carrier strike group's link 16 back to fully function during our many South China Sea transits.
As a United States Navy Test Pilot School graduate, I've had the opportunity to plan for, fly, test, and report on some of the oldest naval aircraft and some of the most advanced technologies in today's Naval fleet.
I currently lead the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 E-2D Hawkeye Test Team. I currently lead a diverse team of civilian contractors, engineers, and Naval aviators in the conduct of flight test. Some interesting conflicts develop while testing due to the nature of working between Naval Aviaton and the contracted civilian companies. Results are not always as desired nor as required and telling someone their product is not performing as needed "that their baby is ugly" is hard news to break. Fortunately the data speaks for itself. Using test team experience, reports, and excellent data analysis is the best way to broach the subject and get the contractors to make the changes needed to a product.
I'm currently enrolled in Eastern University's online Data Science Master's program. This program is a perfect fit to help me continue conducting testing and also gain continuing knowledge that will further the Naval aviation testing enterprise. I hope this scholarship will help fund my completetion of the course as I have given my military benefits to my two daughters for their soon to come college educations.
My daughters' college educations are extremely important to me and furthering my education will help with my Navy career. As my career progresses I hope to continually give my G.I. Bill funds to my daughters to continue their educations.
The place pictured is not a place. Anywhere my family is, is the place that inspires me to work harder for my family and also continually serve this great nation. My family have traveled the nation in support of me and I have travelled the nation in support of the country. This country is the place that has shared my desire for service.
Thank you for your consideration.
-LT Scott "Human Shrek" LeFevre
I am a dependent of my dad, who served twenty-two years in the Air Force. As the middle child between an older brother and a younger sister, I spent the last seven and a half years of my dad's service at Feltwell Elementary School on Feltwell Air Force Base. It was there, during a school outreach event featuring two visiting astronomers and an inflatable planetarium, that my passion for astrophysics ignited. At just seven years old, I was captivated by their discussions about constellations and the cultural significance of planets, fueling my desire to learn more about the universe.
After my dad retired, our family moved back to the United States. We initially had no permanent home, but we were fortunate to have a strong support network from our time in England. After two weeks of traveling and staying with military friends and family, we settled in California. The first four months were spent living with my aunt Sandra in Concord, followed by another four months with my aunt Candy in Sacramento.
The biggest challenge came when we finally found a place to call home. My parents struggled to afford living in Sacramento, prompting me to help my dad with his side jobs to alleviate financial stress. I worked evenings and weekends, prioritizing family needs over homework. My parents eventually noticed my focus on work and had a heart-to-heart conversation about the importance of education. They recognized my passion for astrophysics, and their encouragement helped me refocus on my studies. By ninth grade, I no longer had to worry about paying utility bills, thanks to their support and guidance.
As an undergraduate, I give back to my community by volunteering as a math and physics tutor at my old high school. I remember the difficulties my peers and I faced in a self-learning environment, so I strive to help students not only with their coursework but also by teaching good study habits, such as time management and prioritization.
Once I obtain my Master of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics, I plan to return to American River College, where I began my higher education. During my time there, I noticed a lack of guest speakers discussing astrophysics and physics topics. I aspire to be the speaker I once wished for, covering upper-division and graduate-level courses, as well as offering insights on securing internships in the field.
My journey has been shaped by challenges, support from my family, and an unwavering passion for astrophysics. I am committed to using my experiences to help others and inspire the next generation of scientists.
The photo I’ve included is of American River College’s STEM building. The STEM center is important to me because it is where I began my pursuit of astrophysical knowledge and built professional relationships with my professors and peers. Through all my lectures at the STEM center, I’ve remodeled my understanding of mathematics and have come to see it as a set of tools curated for real-world applications.
