From a Blank Resume to Pennsylvania Avenue

When I first applied to the Academy of Finance (AOF) at Lancaster High School, I had almost zero confidence that I would be accepted into such a prestigious program. My academic standing was around the grade average of 70%, I rarely volunteered unless I was forced to, and my resume was practically blank. I was living my life with limitations, and can now say that through my NAF AOF experience, I was able to prove myself wrong. This was my opportunity to change the trajectory of my academic career and create my ideal life.

In July of 2015, I took part in a scholarship essay contest with the National Border Patrol Foundation which was awarding over $150,000 to incoming College Freshman. I remember the topic of my essay so vividly — “Write about somebody who impacted your life and how.”

Being fifth generation in a military family, I was raised to respect and defend our nation’s president through thick and thin. I decided to write about President George W. Bush and the impact of 9/11 had on my life, as my dad was deployed on multiple Special Operation Missions from February 2003 to March of 2004.

Shortly after, I found out that I had been awarded the first ever national essay scholarship from the Border Patrol Foundation and was the first-ever scholarship winner from the Buffalo-Niagara area. I was invited to the Buffalo-Niagara Headquarters on Grand Island for an acceptance ceremony where I was presented with a medal, a scholarship check, and a certificate of accomplishment, as well as the opportunity to meet the Chief of the Buffalo Border Patrol Headquarter. I thought that was the end of this whole experience, but it turned out that it was just the beginning.

In September of 2015, I received an email from the President of the Border Patrol Foundation, Ronald C. Colburn, a retired National Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol. The email included a round trip airfare for two to Washington DC, three nights at the J.W Marriott on Pennsylvania Avenue and I was invited to be the Honorary Guest of the Border Patrol Foundation 7th Annual Recognition Dinner. Here I was having my essay read to the highest government officials in the United States. Once the essay was done being read, I was being applauded and given a standing ovation.

I currently am a sophomore at Canisius College, and have had the unbelievable opportunity to work with Federal agencies such as the United States Department of Homeland Security, the United States Department of Justice, and others. I’ve also been privileged to network with esteemed agencies within these departments, and my duties as an intern are robust and full of meaning.

The Academy of Finance has given me the opportunity of a lifetime and I will always be so grateful for it. I am so fortunate to have had the guidance and support from Mr. Scott Dixon, Mr. Peter Herrscher, Mrs. Lynn Fisher, and Ms. Erin Bortz, and cannot say enough how proud I am to be an alum of the NAF Academy of Finance at Lancaster High School.