Kevin Woyjeck Explorers For Life Assoc. Inc.

20 hours ago

3/12/26
Here is an incredible story of our latest EMT scholarship recipient
(Shared with permission)

“My name is [REDACTED]. I am in my Senior year of high school and will be graduating in May of 2026. I am a [REDACTED] Fire Explorer.

In 2019, my dad left my mother, myself, and my three siblings on the side of the road and cut off all contact. We were homeless for 2 years before we got into programs that began helping us. During those 2 years, we did not attend school and we have all worked so hard to not only make up for that missing time, but through it all, my mother had instilled in us the value of education and getting us to where we wanted to go. It took the determination of my whole family to pull ourselves up and out of that situation. Many times throughout our journey, we crossed paths with police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. My younger brother has epilepsy and firefighters and paramedics visited where we were living or staying more than once. They always showed us so much compassion, regardless of the situation we were in and provided my brother the best of care. It is because of these encounters, I decided I want to become a firefighter and paramedic. A large portion of the people firefighters and paramedics assist are in less than favorable situations and/or conditions. I would bring compassion to this role only someone who had walked in their shoes could have.

I have laid out a complete path for my future. It started with participation in the City of [REDACTED] Fire Explorer program where I live, something I became a part of in April of 2025. In the Summer of 2025, I became dual enrolled as a high school student at Fullerton and Cypress College, where I became CPR certified and took Medical Terminology in preparation for EMT training. I began EMT training in January at 17 years old, only a month before I turned 18 for my ride-alongs and so I could start the training as soon as possible. I would like to complete my EMT training and obtain my certificate by the time I graduate in May. This would allow me to hit the ground running using my certification to gain employment and hours to put toward paramedic school.

I plan to attend Santa Ana College and I am already dual enrolled in Fire Technology courses there along with Spanish IV as a high school student. I have been learning Spanish since elementary school and am fluent. I am planning to build and maintain my proficiency as being bilingual is a valuable skill to have as a first responder. While working and attending college for a Fire Science degree, I would save my income to pay for, attend, and become certified as a paramedic. I will transfer to Cal State LA for Fire Science. After graduating with my four year degree in Fire Science, I will move on to graduate school to obtain my MS degree in Executive Fire Administration.

Throughout my experiences, my mom has taught me to not let my circumstances keep me down and to utilize as much resources I can that are available to me. Despite the fact that I missed a year and a half of school in 2019, I had gotten so many high school credits that I could have graduated early. I only chose not to so I could experience prom and Grad Night. I even qualify for the California Community College Scholastic Honor Society at Santa Ana College for my outstanding academic achievement. In March of 2024, I received a President’s Volunteer Service Award for the more than 1,000 hours I volunteered for the National Park Service. In December of 2024, I applied and became a City of [REDACTED] Tech Scholar recipient. For this, I received a laptop and internet hotspot to assist in my journey.

I have also attended girls fire camps and became the award recipient at Los Angeles Fire Department’s Camp S.P.A.R.K. and at the Orange County Fire Authority’s Girls Empowerment” ... See MoreSee Less