Service has always been the foundation of who I am. Whether through volunteering, helping patients in a clinic, or supporting others in times of need, I’ve learned that the most meaningful moments in life come from acts of servitude. Emma Jane Hastie’s life reminds me that service is not simply about helping—it’s about caring enough to make a difference in the lives of others, no matter how small the act may seem. As a Biotechnology major at Florida Gulf Coast University and a future physician, I’ve dedicated my studies and experiences to understanding how science and compassion can work together to improve people’s lives. From volunteering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Feeding South Florida to working in clinical environments, I’ve come to understand how service takes many forms. Sometimes it’s lifting boxes of food for families in need; other times, it’s offering comfort to a nervous patient before a medical procedure. In both cases, service means showing up for others with empathy, patience, and a genuine desire to make things better. Throughout college, I’ve balanced rigorous coursework with real-world experiences that strengthened my sense of purpose. At the medical clinic where I currently work, I assist patients by taking vitals, helping with wound care, and preparing instruments for procedures. It’s not just technical work—it’s human work. Every day, I interact with patients who are anxious, in pain, or seeking hope. My goal is always to treat them with respect and kindness, ensuring they feel heard and valued. Those moments remind me why I chose medicine: to help people heal, not only physically but emotionally. Volunteering has also played a major role in shaping how I view service. Through my time at Habitat for Humanity, I witnessed firsthand how collective effort can transform lives. Families who once felt uncertain about their future now have a place to call home because people came together to serve without expectation of reward. That same sense of purpose carries into my academic life and future goals. Service, to me, is not limited to volunteer hours—it’s a mindset that should guide every action, especially in a career like medicine where trust, humility, and compassion are essential. Recently, I was accepted into medical school, marking the next chapter of my journey toward becoming a physician. My aspiration is to continue serving others on a greater scale—through patient care, community outreach, and research that contributes to improving health outcomes. I want to embody the same qualities that defined Emma Jane Hastie’s life: empathy, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. She understood that true fulfillment comes from giving, not gaining, and I hope to live by that same principle throughout my career. A time I felt the most connected to my community was when I volunteered at Feeding South Florida. I spent hours sorting and moving food to ensure families received fresh, safe meals. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it was meaningful. Seeing parents smile as they picked up groceries reminded me that even simple acts of service can restore dignity and hope. That experience reinforced my belief that compassion is one of the most powerful forces in the world—it can bridge divides, heal wounds, and inspire others to serve. Receiving the Emma Jane Hastie Scholarship would not only help me continue my education but also honor the values that have guided my life. Like Emma Jane Hastie, I hope to build a life rooted in service—one that uplifts others, strengthens communities, and creates a ripple effect of kindness that extends far beyond myself.

Service to others is a calling that transcends professions. Whether in the fire service or medicine, the mission remains the same — to protect, heal, and stand by others in their most vulnerable moments. That calling is what drives me as I prepare to enter medical school, and it’s what inspires me about the life and legacy of Brian Chellios. Like him, I want to dedicate my life to helping others through courage, compassion, and persistence in the face of adversity. My journey began with a deep desire to serve in healthcare. Over the past few years, I have worked alongside physicians, nurses, and medical staff, learning firsthand the weight and reward that comes with being a trusted figure in someone’s time of need. Through those experiences, I discovered that being a physician is more than practicing medicine — it’s about leadership, calm under pressure, and the selflessness to put others before yourself. These are the same qualities I see reflected in the stories of fire service professionals who run toward danger rather than away from it. I am proud to share that I have been accepted into medical school and am preparing to take the next step toward becoming a physician. My goal is to specialize in a field that allows me to stay closely connected to emergency and trauma care, where quick decisions and teamwork can make the difference between life and death. I want my medical career to reflect the same courage and dedication that define the fire service — where each day is another opportunity to save a life, comfort a family, or make a lasting difference. Receiving the Brian Chellios Memorial Scholarship would not only help me continue my education but also remind me of the responsibility I carry — to embody the same passion, work ethic, and humility that guided Chief Chellios throughout his life. His story is a reminder that service is a lifelong commitment, and I hope to honor that spirit by carrying it forward in my own career in medicine. In both the fire service and medicine, success isn’t measured by recognition but by the lives touched and the communities strengthened. To me, belonging to this legacy of service means never hesitating to help, never losing sight of compassion, and never giving up when others need you most. That is what I believe it truly means to serve — and that is the kind of person, and physician, I strive to be.