Shaffer Family First Responder Scholarship

Born to serve and raised to protect, I come from a long line of volunteer firefighters, and volunteering has always been a part of who I am. Being the child and grandchild of first responders has shaped my life in countless ways. From the time I was little, I watched my parents and grandparents drop everything, family dinners, holidays, and sleep to help people they had never met. The fire service wasn’t just something they did; it was a part of our home, our conversations, and our values. As a fourth-generation volunteer (my great-grandparents were also fire department volunteers), I grew up surrounded by courage, compassion, and selflessness, and those qualities have guided me into the person I am today. Watching my parents and grandparents dedicate their time and energy without expecting recognition taught me what true service looks like. They showed me that making a difference doesn’t always mean being in the spotlight, it means showing up when others need you most and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Their willingness to sacrifice their own comfort for the safety of others taught me responsibility, resilience, and the importance of kindness. These values are the foundation of how I approach challenges, treat others, and set goals for my future. No matter what path I take, I carry their lessons with me, and I hope to continue their legacy of service in my own way. Guided by these values, I plan to study Medical Laboratory Science in college. Science has always fascinated me, especially the way it can be used to help people and improve lives. I love learning about the human body and understanding how things work beneath the surface, and this field allows me to turn that curiosity into meaningful action. Medical laboratory scientists play an essential but often unseen role in healthcare. They are the ones providing the answers that doctors need to diagnose illnesses, guide treatments, and save lives. Even though their work happens behind the scenes, it has a powerful impact on patient care, and that inspires me. Through my education in Medical Laboratory Science, I hope to gain the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to support accurate diagnoses and contribute to high quality healthcare. I plan to work in a hospital or community lab, where I can help ensure patients receive the information they need for proper treatment. Beyond my career, I want to use what I learn to educate others, support public health efforts, and encourage young people to explore medical and science related fields. For me, pursuing this degree is about more than earning a credential, it is about using my skills to make a positive impact on others’ lives. My commitment to helping others also comes from personal experience. One of the greatest challenges I have faced was losing my beloved grandmother (and best friend) to pancreatic cancer. She was a constant source of love and encouragement, and watching her battle such a painful illness was heartbreaking. Her passing left a deep emptiness in my life, and for a long time, I struggled to make sense of it. But even during her most difficult moments, she taught me lessons about resilience, gratitude, and the strength of the human spirit. Through my grief, I learned how to stay determined even when life feels overwhelming. I learned how to balance sadness with motivation, how to keep moving forward, and how to find purpose in loss. Her strength continues to guide me, reminding me to stay compassionate and focused on making her proud. That experience not only helped me grow emotionally but also prepared me for the challenges of college by teaching me perseverance, responsibility, and resilience. In the future, I hope to give back to my community by combining my passion for healthcare with my dedication to service. As a medical laboratory scientist, I will play a vital role in helping patients receive the care they need. I also plan to continue volunteering as an auxiliary member with the Dagsboro Volunteer Fire Department, carrying forward the tradition of service that shaped my childhood. Through both my career and volunteer work, I hope to support the health, safety, and well-being of the people around me. Service has always been a part of who I am, and I plan to continue living out those values every day.