The Mendocino College Foundation and Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire Department Volunteers signed an agreement to offer a $1,000 scholarship to a student pursuing a first responder career, the college said last week. 

The inspiration for the scholarship program was the Mendocino College students, Fire Lt. Megan Turner Brown said.  

Last year, Brown served as a guest proctor for students enrolled in Ukiah High School’s first responder Career Technical Education program. She was invited by her brother, Brendan Turner, who serves as the program’s instructor. He’s also the former assistant chief at RVCFD.

Turner Brown managed the hands-on part of the students’ final, which required a comprehensive trauma assessment. During the series of assessments, many students told her that they planned to pursue fire science and emergency management services degrees at Mendocino College after they graduated high school.  

Brown said she was in awe of the students. “I’ve been a first responder for more than half my life and when I interact with young people exploring the idea of pursuing a job or volunteer opportunity as a first responder, it reminds me of how exciting it was to find something that you absolutely love.”  

The fire department reached out to the college’s foundation and began the process of establishing a perpetual scholarship. Volunteers launched a fundraising campaign and raised $9,000, and by January they had secured the $25,000 needed to establish the scholarship.  

Those funds will be invested by the college’s foundation, ensuring that scholarships will be available annually in perpetuity, serving generations of students pursuing first responder careers.  

Last week, the first scholarship was awarded to Alex Stoughton, a senior at Potter Valley High School who plans to pursue EMT certifications and his associates degree in fire science at the college this fall.  

“Supporting our youth is one of the greatest investments we can make,” said Battalion Chief Justin Ebert, “This award represents not only our commitment to fostering the next generation of firefighters, but also our admiration for individuals who demonstrate resilience, determination, and passion for serving their community.” 

This story originally appeared in The Mendocino Voice.