Meet ESA’s 2022 Youth Scholarship Winners

The electronic security industry works closely with the public safety sector, and we greatly appreciate the contributions that police, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs offer to our communities. 

To show our appreciation, the ESA Youth Scholarship program was developed to provide college scholarships to their deserving children. Since its launch in 1996, ESA’s Youth Scholarship Program has contributed more than $750,000 to deserving students throughout the nation. 

These scholarship awards are made possible by our partners COPS Monitoring and DMP. 

Hundreds of applications were received from coast-to-coast of very impressive candidates. Students who are dedicating time in their communities, all while playing sports/hobbies, maintaining high GPAs, and testing scores. After reviewing the applications and with much deliberation, ESA has announced the 2022 winners of its scholarship awards. 

Winners from this first round were considered for the national first place and second place scholarships awarding $17,000 in scholarships. 

Sierra Martin, First Place Winner of the ESA Youth Scholarship 

First place winner, Sierra Martin was awarded $13000 and will be attending Westmont College in Santa Barbara with her twin sister. “This scholarship means a lot to me because it gives me the opportunity to go to college out of state and supports me in accomplishing my goals of majoring in Biology and competing on a high-level soccer team” says Sierra. 

Sierra is involved in multiple extracurricular activities. Including being the first female Eagle Scout in New Mexico and one of the first in United States. One of her Eagle Scout projects was during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent mask shortage. The staff at her local hospital had masks for inside but had to provide their own when walking in and out. Sierra taught her troop to sew, and they made 300 masks to donate to the staff. They received the Messengers of Peace Award for their work. 

Sierra plans to continue service projects while in college. “I have been inspired by my dad’s passion, empathy, and willingness to help others.” explains Sierra. “My family and I have volunteered at a variety of places, and, at the beginning of Covid, I organized my Boy Scout Troop into making 300 masks for my local hospital. My family has been service-oriented for as long as I can remember, and I plan to continue to take advantage of service opportunities in my new community.” 

“My Dad serves at night, so he’s able to make time to train with me and my four siblings most every day. He’s taken us to many historical places, such as battlefields and museums, during our homeschool education, and has always been there to support and motivate me.” she continues passionately. 

“My Dad taught me bravery, the way the world works, and the determination to strive full heartedly towards my goals. I’m thankful to ESA for giving me this opportunity.”

“I want to everyone who gave Sierra and me this wonderful experience!” says Paul Martin, Sierra’s father. “The scholarship itself is of course a huge help, but also the opportunity to meet with all the wonderful folks there at ESA and for Sierra to speak in front of everyone and feel your support was very valuable to us.” 

 Congratulations, Sierra! 

Luke Rainey, Second Place Winner of the ESA Youth Scholarship 

Second place winner, Luke Rainey was awarded $4000, and he will attend Shippensburg University and is planning on studying Political Science. “I hope to obtain a career related to government and political communications, likely beginning in a staffing position for an officeholder or political group at the state or local level. Through this entry-level position, I expect to gradually advance in my career level to higher positions in government.” says Luke 

“This scholarship will be an enormous benefit to relieving part of the financial burden attributed to my postsecondary education. Through this scholarship, I will be able to exit college with far less debt and experience an easier transition into a fully independent adult life” says Luke.

Luke did several community service projects. Including working semiweekly at fundraising events for his local fire company and assisting in the production of “The Challenge Program” for local high school students. 

“I plan to maintain my presence in the fire company when I am in the local area by contributing at fundraising events, as I have done for the past three years. Although my future will likely require me to live away from my current community in Penn Run, Pennsylvania, I am certain that the values I have been taught by this community through the example of my dad and the dozens of individuals who volunteer at the company will travel with me.”