Electronic Security Association Announces 2024 Youth Scholarship Award Winners
ESA Youth Scholarship Program has awarded more than $941,500 to high school seniors whose parents are first responders.
Logo courtesy of Electronic Security Association
DALLAS – The Electronic Security Association (ESA) recently announced the winners of the 2024 ESA Youth Scholarship Awards, a philanthropic initiative that recognizes and rewards high school seniors whose parents are police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs.
The ESA Youth Scholarship Program has awarded more than $941,500 to these outstanding young individuals, underscoring the association’s commitment to giving back to the brave men and women who protect our communities.
“Participating in the youth scholarship program for children of first responders is profoundly rewarding, as it offers these incredibly deserving young individual’s opportunities they might not otherwise have,” says Kelly Bond, partner at Davis Mergers and Acquisitions Group and scholarship chairwoman.
“Seeing their individual successes, and knowing you’ve contributed to their futures, brings immense personal satisfaction and pride,” she says.
More About the ESA Youth Scholarship Award
The ESA Youth Scholarship Award “strives to make an impact on youth so they can make an impact on the world, much as their parents have,” according to the association announcement. This year, nine state associations participated with ESA in a programmatic effort to support the families of first responders. Awards were given in each state and national first and second place winners were recognized.
This year’s first-place award recipient is Brady Freundel, son of police officer James Freundel. The younger Freundel highlights how proud he is to have a first responder as his father.
“I have always been proud to tell others that my father is a police officer for the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department,” says Brady Freundel in the ESA announcement. “His sacrifice, like others in public safety, is honorable, yet he is humble and expects nothing in return for his dedicated work. I have tried my best to incorporate these traits in my life as well.”
In the fall, Brady Freundel will begin his endeavor of becoming an electrical engineer. He hopes to serve the United States of America by creating weapons systems that deter aggression against our country. As an engineer, Brady plans to use his skills to empower those in need while giving back to the community through coaching STEM programs at local schools.
“I strive to live a life of service to my community like my father,” says the younger Freundel. “This scholarship will help me reach my goal of becoming an electrical engineer and making my community the best it can be.”
ESA flew Brady and his father to ESX 2024 in Louisville, Ky., in June to receive the $13,500 award in person.
The second-place national winner, Jesse Stewart from Washington, whose father is a firefighter for Shoreline Fire Department Station 61, was awarded $3,500.
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