Irving, Texas (June 22, 2017) — The Electronic Security Association has awarded $12,500 in scholarship funds to students from Virginia and New Jersey as a part of the association's annual Youth Scholarship Program, sponsored by COPS Monitoring and DMP. 96
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ESA Announces 2017 Youth Scholarship Program Winners
Annual Scholarship Program Recognizes Children of First Responders
Irving, Texas (June 22, 2017) — The Electronic Security Association has awarded $12,500 in scholarship funds to students from Virginia and New Jersey as a part of the association's annual Youth Scholarship Program, sponsored by COPS Monitoring and DMP.
Jessica Hill of Bristow, VA received top honors with a first-place scholarship of $9,000 and Michelle Bello of Pennsauken, NJ won $3,500 for second place.
Since its creation in 1996, the ESA Youth Scholarship Program, ESA and its affiliated chartered chapters have donated over $621,000 in scholarship funds to children of police officers and firefighters.
“The police officers and firefighters that protect and serve our communities are true heroes and deserve our unwavering gratitude —these men and women put their lives on the line every day and give so much to their communities,” says ESA President, Angela White. “ESA, on behalf of the electronic security industry, is pleased to support these incredible families."
"Awarding scholarships to the first responders' impressive children is one of the ways we can thank our deserving public safety partners and do our part to give back by contributing to their college education," she continues.
First place winner Jessica Hill is a 2017 graduate of Patriots High School in Nokesville, VA. Jessica’s academic achievements, essay, community service and extracurricular activities have earned her first place in the 2017 ESA Youth Scholarship Program.
Jessica achieved an amazing 4.541 GPA and participates in many extracurricular activities all while excelling in school, working and fulfilling volunteer roles. Jessica has volunteered with the Adopt a Teacher program where she assisted in the special education classroom as well as the Children’s Space Camp and Children’s Science Center.
On the extracurricular front, Jessica was the captain of the Varsity Dance team, Marching Band, Symphonic/Concert Band, Secretary of the Student Council Association, VP of the Science National Honor Society, English National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society, Founding Member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and Key Club. Jessica will be attending the College of William and Mary in the fall as a member of the Monroe Scholars program, where she plans to major in biology.
Jessica’s father, Andrew Hill, is a Police Captain in Fairfax County, VA and was the inspiration behind her essay. As a part of their entries, each applicant was required to write an essay entitled, "What it means to me to have my parent or guardian involved in securing our community." Hill wrote about her father and his sacrifices for their community and how he has motivated her to be more involved, and to take a leadership role.
"I have learned that there is a difference between being a leader in name and actually leading," said Hill. "I understand that there is often a cost to being in charge, and that is responsibility. As he has told me, one must be able to deal with the backlash of decisions or one should not be in a position to make them."
Second place winner Michelle Bello is a 2017 graduate of Pennsauken High School where she has maintained an impressive 4.0476 GPA. Bello is extremely involved in the National Honor Society, where she served as Treasurer, and has organized and participated in many events including a Blood Drive, Collection of Holiday gifts, Bowling Tournaments, served the homeless, cleaned up the environment at her youth center, read to elementary school children, served as Secretary of SADD, and so much more.
Michelle is also an accomplished athlete and holds varsity letters in bowling, track and field, and volleyball.
Michelle's father, Samuel Carney, is a member of the Pennsauken Emergency Medical Services, where he serves as an EMT. In her essay, Michelle details how watching her dad serve their community throughout her entire life has inspired her.
"Helping other people and being willing to put your life on the line for others have been qualities that were instinctive to me growing up," said Bello. "My dad loves his job and putting the needs of others first was an important lesson we were taught from an early age. More than a concept to be learned, it was a characteristic that was easily adopted as the norm when you saw it in action on a continuous basis."
Visit ESA's Youth Scholarship page learn more about the program at www.ESAweb.org/Scholarship.
ABOUT ESA
Established in 1948, the Electronic Security Association (ESA) is the largest trade association representing the electronic life safety and security industry. Member companies install, integrate and monitor intrusion and fire detection, video surveillance and electronic access control systems for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental clients. In cooperation with an alliance of chapter associations, ESA provides technical and management training, government advocacy and delivers information, advice, tools, and services that members use to grow their businesses and prosper. ESA may be reached at (888) 447-1689 or on the Web at www.ESAweb.org.
