Ed and Aline Patane Kind, Compassion, Joy and Generosity Memorial Scholarship

As a college student, it’s easy to get caught up in a culture of living in the moment or focusing only on myself instead of thinking about the bigger picture. During these times, I’ve found strength and guidance in my faith in God, which has helped me stay grounded in my values. I first grew in this faith through my church’s youth group in high school, and now I continue to nurture it as part of my school’s Catholic Student Center. My faith also pushes me to serve others. In high school, I started Cards for Seniors, a group where I led students in making and delivering cards to hundreds of senior citizens in our town. Seeing the joy our cards brought to their faces reminded me that small acts of kindness can go a long way. It also showed me the importance of leadership, empathy, and community, all of which are lessons I carry with me today. In high school, I also served as an assistant teacher for my church’s Confirmation Class and EDGE Program (primarily middle school aged students). In this role I worked with 30+ students to facilitate their learning through presentations and engaging group-activities. This position not only strengthened my own knowledge on the Catholic faith, but it also helped me build the skillset to present information in a clear and concise way. That skill has been crucial in my further career and professional endeavors. My faith has also been a source of strength during some of the hardest moments of my life. The clearest example came during my mom’s battle with cancer. Watching her go through such a difficult time while still holding on to her faith was inspiring, and it made mine stronger too. Since her passing, I’ve tried to live with the same courage she showed. I’ve learned that faith is more than something you believe - it’s something you practice every day through hope, gratitude, and perseverance. I also believe that God gives us all gifts and expects us to use them to make a difference. The Parable of the Talents in the Gospel of Matthew reminds me of this responsibility. For me, those gifts are an interest in Accounting and Personal Financial Planning, and I hope to use what I’m learning to help people create strong financial plans for their future. At the same time, I try to keep a balance in my life by following a “work hard, play hard” mindset. I love golfing, walking in nature, and spending time with friends - those things bring me joy and help me stay energized for everything else I do. During my time in college, I’ve taken on leadership roles in my Business Fraternity, Phi Chi Theta. In my first role as Vice President of my pledge class, I was responsible for raising funds for a local charity. During this time, my city was devastated by the worst hurricane in 100 years, so, I decided we would raise funds for a local relief organization, Rebuilding Tampa Bay. Through various bake sales, door-knocking, and online efforts, we raised over $2,500 for the organization, making a real impact in the region. Furthermore, I served as Fundraising Chair where I worked with Funds2Orgs to collect shoes for 23 developing countries across the world. We ultimately collected over 600 pounds of shoes, and raised $170 for my fraternity through the process. In just one year in university, I have experienced first-hand the value a mentor can bring, which can often be life changing. Consequently, I’ve signed up this year to mentor a freshman business student, assisting them in getting involved on campus. This experience is mutually beneficial as I am helping my mentee prepare for their 4-years ahead, and they help me stay grounded in my goals. Looking ahead, I hope to earn my Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation and eventually work at a firm like Merrill Lynch, helping people achieve their goals. I also want to grow more involved in my church community at the University of South Florida, and someday, I hope to meet someone I can share my life with and build a family. Traveling is another passion I want to continue exploring. I spent six weeks studying abroad in Florence, Italy, where I learned so much about the culture, history, and art while making lifelong memories. That trip opened my eyes to the world in new ways, and I’m now excited about the chance to study abroad in Germany, where I’ll be learning in Berlin, Dresden, and Munich. This scholarship would allow me to keep pursuing my education, explore the world through experiences like study abroad, and stay involved in the communities that help me grow in both my faith and my ability to serve others.

My faith has tremendously shaped me into the person that I am today. I grew up with a single teen mom, so my life was constantly changing—back and forth, school to school, constantly the new kid, having to build people relationships all over again and helping raise my brothers while my mom was working. It was overwhelming, and there were so many times that I wanted to give up. My faith gave me something constant to hold onto. God was my steady with all the change, and He continues to be every day of my life. I held on to prayer, and I learned to adapt to change because it is inevitable. I am currently going through one of the toughest times of my life. I'm in college, but I just cannot afford my tuition. My financial aid office told me that if I don’t pay off my balance by the end of December, I will have to take a gap semester to pay it off, or else they will put a hold on my transcript. I have faith that God has a plan for me and that if I continue working hard and believing in Him, it will all work out. It is not easy, but I am okay with facing my fears and choosing to have faith that He is working behind the scenes. Faith helps me to look at my circumstances and remain hopeful, nevertheless, no matter what curveballs life throws at me. Community service has also been a large part of my experience. I've been blessed to volunteer within my community in ways that have touched me so deeply. One of the best parts of my volunteering has been being a special needs aid and helping them learn, communicate with others, and come out of their bubbles. I would also go to elementary schools in my community and read to the kids. Their innocence and happiness remind me of the simple beauty of being present and kind. Additionally, I go to a retirement home and spend time with the patients there and sometimes bring them treats and activities. I've also offered free babysitting for families who couldn't afford child care. It was great to know that I was also contributing towards giving relief and help to parents who needed it, and care and love to children who needed it. These acts of service are never finished for rewards—they are finished out of love. I've just always believed that we're called to serve other people, and I try my best to do that every day. Giving time and focus to other people hasn't only changed them, but it's also made me a person who is driven by kindness and compassion. My family has been my number one priority, and it always will be. I've been taking care of my two little brothers my entire life. I remember being seven and getting them ready for school and making sure they ate breakfast and made it on the bus. The older I got, the more and more I started taking care of them, whether it was cooking, picking them up from school, or buying them whatever they needed. Even though I’m five hours away at college, I’m still always a call away for them. Even if they call and ask me to take them to a game, I'm there. My brothers mean the whole world to me. They provide me with the incentive that I need to keep going when things in life are difficult. My passion for family is also the reason why I would want to be a labor and delivery nurse. I adore babies, and I believe that helping to bring life into the world is one of the finest ways of helping families. I would want to be a part of those wonderful initial minutes, helping mothers to be safe and comforted, and introducing new life into the world with love and joy. Faith, family, and service are not just values I cherish—They are the foundation of who I am. They have guided my past, shaped my present, and will guide my future. Dear Patane Family, I am Emily Barrera, and I am privileged above all to carry on the tradition of your beloved parents, Ed and Aline. Their lives of uncompromising faith, family devotion, and joyous service are an inspiration to me. Like them, I believe in the potential of kindness, generosity, and unselfishly putting others first. I pray that by living the principles that they lived, I can honor their memory and leave a legacy that will endure. Sincerely, Emily Barrera Thank you for considering my application. God Bless You!