Harris Hill junior firefighter wins second award for volunteerism

Clarence High School graduate Amelia Rockwell, a junior firefighter with the Harris Hill Fire Company, has won a second scholarship this year, this time from the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York.

According to a recent FASNY release, Rockwell was a recipient of FASNY’s 2017 Gerard J. Buckenmeyer Volunteer Scholarship, joining 19 other students who were awarded $1,500 for volunteer service in their communities.

She was chosen earlier this year to receive the 2017 Penflex Arthur Blachowski Scholarship, a $1,000 award given to a high school senior engaged in serving the community, specifically Emergency Medical Services.

For the FASNY scholarship, students were chosen based on volunteer service through a local fire department, Scout troop, church or school, and for projects focused on senior citizens, fire prevention and other topics.

Additional criteria included consistent demonstration of good character and a written essay.

A total of 124 students statewide applied for the scholarship this year, according to Brian McQueen, chairman of FASNY’s scholarship committee, who described Rockwell’s essay for the award as “unbelievable” and Rockwell as someone who is destined to make a positive change in society.

“She was one of those golden key students that I rated very highly,” he said, explaining that he was impressed by Rockwell’s ability to achieve high academical levels while also volunteering as a firefighter and participating in a variety of school groups. “When you talk about an all-around student, I picture her to be that type of person.”

Along with serving as a junior firefighter, Rockwell played oboe and English horn in the Clarence High School band and orchestra, and served as drum major in the CHS marching band. She was also a member of several student organizations at CHS, including National Honor Society, Latin club and drama club, and was a member of the women’s varsity swim team. She also volunteered with the Clarence Youth Court.

Rockwell said she was humbled and honored to be chosen for the scholarship, which will help her family finance her college education while also handling the cost of her brother’s.

“Receiving this scholarship means so much to my family and me,” said Rockwell. “I am very honored to receive it, and I am so thankful for being selected by FASNY.”

Rockwell, who has lived one block away from a fire hall since childhood, said she was inspired to be a firefighter in the aftermath of the crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407, and when she saw junior firefighters for the first time during an open house at the Williamsville Fire Company.

“That is the moment I knew,” said Rockwell. “The teenagers impressed me because I didn’t know that I would be able to help the community and go on emergency calls like they were doing at the ages of 14 to 18.”

Rockwell said she plans to attend Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, this fall and major in pre-law/psychology, dreaming of one day working in either the juvenile justice system or Department of Homeland Security.

Now 14 years old, the Gerard J. Buckenmeyer Volunteer Scholarship was established in honor of the retired volunteer firefighter from Alexander, New York, whose dream it was as president of FASNY to encourage young firefighters to build a relationship between firefighting and education, McQueen said.