2008 Winners

NBFAA Awards $20,000 in Scholarships

The 2008 NBFAA Youth Scholarship Program winner Joseph Pavlisko.

Joseph's Pavlisko Essay:

“Wow, your dad is a fireman?” the other first graders asked. “I want to be a fireman when I grow up!”

In elementary school, my dad was a conversation starter, a social advantage, a ‘cool’ role model. Other kids heard about who he was and what he did, and talked about their dreams to become somebody like him. Teachers invited him to speak in front of the class, to explain what a career as a public servant entails. He was a hero.

My family used to visit him at the fire station between calls. I loved honking the horns on the big red fire trucks, and never understood the job my dad had to do when the alarm sounded.

Five years later, September 11th, 2001 happened. At the time, I had no clue what the World Trade Centers were. I didn’t understand the mammoth tragedy that had just shaken the American people to their core. I didn’t appreciate the newfound patriotism the USA would unearth within itself. But for the first time in my life, I realized just how important, how absolutely essential, firefighters are to our society. It had, before that day, never occurred to me that my father might die on the job; but over the next few weeks, stories of heroic firefighter deaths haunted my dreams. That day was the first time I ever saw my dad cry.

September 11th demonstrated the importance of firefighters both to the world and to me. Without that day, I would perhaps never have valued the service my father gives.

Another few years passed, and I found myself on my own during my yearlong exchange to Germany. Whenever I would mention that my father was a firefighter in Europe, people were instantly impressed, complimenting both his bravery and ability to do such a daunting task- especially in the USA, “where the houses are all made of wood.”

The respect my Old World friends had for their public servants never ceased to amaze me. Thanks to my father, I received a tour of the fire station, a few German firefighter shirts, and several firehouse patches. My father’s career once again became a source of immense pride for me.

Just this Christmas, my father had to give up special time with his family to go to work. But he didn’t mind, he told me, because during the holidays he has the opportunity to perform another service- one he feels is just as valuable as putting out fires. And sure enough, he came home the next day with the story.

Christmas day, the station got a call from an older woman who was “not feeling well.” My dad, along with some other firefighters, had the responsibility of taking this lady to the hospital. On the way, my father, predicting the ailment, took the time to talk to her, to ask her about herself. It turns out that she was lonely: it was Christmas Day; she was widowed; and her children were far, away. By the time they reached the hospital, her illness had cleared up.

If someone who not only saves lives but also boots community spirit isn’t a hero, then I don’t know who is.

My father has always been there for me when I needed him most-and I think most dads try to do the same. He has, however, also been there for the community whenever it needed help; and that, I think, is what sets my dad, the firefighter, apart.

If you are a student, parent, teacher or school administrator interested in the award or an NBFAA member interested in starting the program in your state, please e-mail your inquiries to NBFAA at lauriek@alarm.org, call (888) 447-1689, or write to:

NBFAA Youth Scholarship Program
2300 Valley View Lane, Suite 230
Irving, TX 75062

 

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