Children of police officers and firefighters from Ohio, New Jersey, California and South Dakota were awarded $21,000 in scholarships by through the Youth Scholarship Program. Since its inception, the Youth Scholarship Program has awarded more than $290,000 in scholarships.

Michael Stainbrook of Toledo, Ohio was the overall winner of the contest and received a $10,000 scholarship for his outstanding essay and scholastic achievements. A standout senior at St. John’s Jesuit High School, Michael has dedicated himself to his academic career. His leadership efforts in school clubs and church functions combined with his volunteer community service activities showed Michael’s deep sense of civic duty that was most certainly handed down by his father Steven, a firefighter with the Toledo Fire & Rescue Division.

In his essay Michael wrote, “In a world of economic and moral volatility, having a constant role model is a true blessing. Storms may rock the region in multiple forms, but I firmly believe that no calamity could defeat my father’s levelheadedness and wisdom. The same is true of Toledo: when hope appears to be vanishing, I am comforted in the knowledge that my father is protecting the most vulnerable citizens in the community. Dad is a truly dependable man, and his guardianship has greatly benefitted all with whom he has worked.”

Brooke Schneider of Colonia, NJ was awarded second place and received a $7,500 scholarship. An active senior at Bishop George Ahr High School, Brooke is the co-editor-in-chief for the school newspaper and vice president of the Christian Social Action Club. She has served as student council vice president, sophomore class president and student ambassador.

Brooke’s father, William, is an officer with the Woodbridge Township Police Department. In her essay, Brooke wrote of her father, “He has always taught my brothers and me to be loyal, honest, hardworking, obedient, grateful, brave and independent – character strengths that he grew to adopt during his career as a police officer and that he consistently demonstrates through his words and actions. My dad’s strength of character, which he developed throughout his career serving the public as a police officer has inspired me for years and has shaped me into the young woman I am today.”

Alexis Arnold of Claremont, CA and a senior at Claremont High School was the third place winner and received a $2,500 scholarship. Her high school career is highlighted with numerous awards and honors. She’s the winner of the 2005 Renaissance Award, 2006 Rotary Youth Community Excellence Award, 2006 LA Opera Contest, 2008 Heart of the Hand Award, 2008 Rotary Youth Leadership Award and 2008 AP Scholar Award with Distinction.

Her father, Spencer, is a sergeant with the Newport Beach Police Department. In her essay Alexis wrote, “I know where my dad’s priorities stand – in providing a safe environment not only for his precinct, but also for his personal precinct, otherwise known as home. And because of this balance my dad has been able to find, I am proud to see him wear that silver badge of outright courage.”

In addition to the national scholarships, each of the state winners receives a scholarship from their state association. Students who reside in states without a chartered NBFAA chapter or in a state with non-participating state association submit their applications directly to the NBFAA and from them one is chosen to compete against the state winners as the national nominee. The national nominee is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to honor that individual’s achievement. This year’s national nominee was Lindsey Heitkamp, a senior at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Currently, a dozen chapters participate in the national program. These states conduct local and state programs and their top student competes for the national NBFAA scholarships. The state programs generally award $1,000 or more to their winners. This year, students across the nation were awarded more than $45,000 in scholarships.

Congratulations to our State Youth Scholarship Winners

Ohio Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place ($1,000) – Michael Stainbrook, Toledo, OH
1st place winner in national competition ($10,000)

New Jersey Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place ($1,500) – Brooke Schneider, Colonia, NJ
2nd place winner in national competition ($7,500)

2nd Place ($1,000) – Leah Berry, Eatontown, NJ

California Alarm Association
1st Place Southern California and Overall State Winner ($2,500) – Alexis Arnold, Claremont, CA
3rd place winner in national competition ($2,500)

1st Place Northern California ($2,000) – Molly Doherty, Novato, CA
2nd Place Southern California ($750) – Katherine Amano, West Hills, CA
2nd Place Northern California ($750) – Gabrielle Gamez, Morgan Hill, CA

Connecticut Alarm & Systems Integrators Association
1st Place ($1,000) – Elyse Stewart, Pawcatuck, CT
2nd Place ($500) – Justine Falcone, Somers, CT

Georgia Electronic Life Safety & Systems Association
1st Place ($1,500) – David Westerfield, Hephzibah, GA

Indiana Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place Fire and Overall State Winner ($1,000) – Sara Yelich, Carbon, IN
1st Place Police ($1,000) – James Roush, West Lafayette, IN

Kentucky Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place ($1,000) – Oakley Watkins, Frankfort, KY

Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association
1st Place ($1,000) – Chelsea Beghaud, Lafayette, LA
2nd Place ($500) – Kristine Brouwer, Lutcher, LA

North Carolina Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place ($1,000) – Spencer Bakalar, Greenville, NC
2nd Place ($500) – Madison Owens, Greenville, NC

Tennessee Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place ($1,000) – Kayla Jordan, Ripley, TN
2nd Place ($500) – Haley Rye, Cumberland City, TN

Virginia Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place ($1,500) – Antonio Hayward, Chesapeake, VA
2nd Place ($500) – Zachary Truman, Franklin County, VA

Washington Burglar & Fire Alarm Association
1st Place Fire and Overall State Winner ($2,500) – Rebecca Anderson, Lake Forest Park, WA
1st Place Police ($2,000) – Brian Emmett, Bellingham, WA