First Responders Day Group of Texarkana Awards Inaugural Scholarship to Texarkana College EMT Student

The First Responders Day Group of Texarkana presented $5,000 in scholarship funding to the Texarkana College Foundation to support Texarkana College students pursuing careers as first responders. Hesley Rocha of Mount Pleasant, Texas, is the first recipient of the scholarship funding. The scholarship will support Rocha as she completes her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) education and prepares for a career as a first responder.

“I was so surprised to be selected for a scholarship and am so very grateful for the generosity of the First Responders Day Group who has helped me during a time when financial support means so much as I complete my EMT program,” Rocha said. “My goal is to work as a first responder as an EMT and eventually continue my education in the medical field.”

The scholarship was presented during a check presentation attended by representatives of First Responders Day Group, including Will Humphrey of Farmers Bank, Vickers Fuqua of Texarkana Funeral Home, Tim O’Neal of Eagle Distributing of Texarkana and Brooke Marshall of Texarkana Emergency Center & Hospital. Also attending were Dr. Jason Smith, president of Texarkana College; Courtney Shoalmire, dean of Health Sciences; and Katie Andrus, executive director of the Texarkana College Foundation.

“This is the first student scholarship the First Responders Day Group of Texarkana has awarded, and we are excited to help and participate in the lives of students who are pursuing a career as a first responder,” Fuqua said.

O’Neal said supporting future first responders is a natural extension of the group’s mission.

“It is our goal to support the efforts of the first responders who support our community, and awarding this scholarship to an EMT student is a great way to show our support,” O’Neal said.

“Texarkana College is grateful to First Responders Day Group for investing in Hesley and in the future of emergency medical services in our community,” Smith said. “Community support like this makes a meaningful difference for our students, and we appreciate the generosity and commitment of this group and the Texarkana College Foundation in helping students pursue careers dedicated to serving others.”

Shoalmire said the scholarship will help support a student preparing for a career centered on service.

“Students who choose EMS are preparing for a career built on service and compassion,” Shoalmire said. “We are grateful to First Responders Day Group for supporting Hesley as she prepares to serve patients and families in our community.”

First Responders Day Group of Texarkana presents an annual community event that recognizes and celebrates the contributions of local first responders, including EMS personnel, firefighters and law enforcement officers. The organization’s inaugural student scholarship extends that mission by supporting a student preparing to join the first responder community.

Pictured — Front row (left to right): Dr. Jason Smith, Will Humphrey, Brooke Marshall, Hesley Rocha, Vickers Fuqua and Tim O’Neal. Second row: Katie Andrus, Amanda Graham, Courtney Shoalmire, Phyllis Deese. Third row: Gabryel Menah, Dr. Tonja Mackey and Brandon Washington. Back row: Brad Hoover, Mindy Preston and Dr. Dixon Boyles.