California Fire Foundation

California Fire Foundation Rewards Twelve Daniel A. Terry Scholarships in 2009

Members of Local 778 including CPF Secretary-Treasurer Lew Stone, gathered to present Heather Yonan with the Daniel A. Terry Scholarship for $2,000.

Heather Yonan wants to be a school teacher when she finishes college. At 15, she lost her father, Philip Yonan, a Burbank firefighter/paramedic, in the line of duty. Yonan says it took her a few years to get her strength back after his death, and through this experience she would like to help other children who are suffering the loss of a parent.

"I would love to teach children and dream of writing a children's book about coping with a parent's death," states Yonan. "This scholarship will open many doors for me."

Yonan is the first in her family to attend college. She will complete her second year at a city college this year and then transfer on to a CSU school next year. When she learned of receiving this scholarship, she said, "I know my dad is still paving a path for me from above. Thank you for granting my dreams."

Heather Yonan's story is similar to the 11 other students who received scholarships this past year through the California Fire Foundation. In 2006, this program was created through a resolution at the 2004 CPF Convention.

"It seemed like a natural progression of something we would do," Paulson said. "In addition to the memorial and other family assistance we provide, this seemed to round out our support perfectly."

Named after CPF President Emeritus Daniel A. Terry who conceived and led the effort to construct the California Firefighters Memorial in Sacramento's Capitol Park, the scholarship gives out scholarships totaling $2,000 each year to children of California firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Redding resident Ty Zollner has been a seasonal firefighter with CAL FIRE for two years and hopes to continue in the firefighting profession. He feels his college degree will help him pave the path for advancement in his field.

In 2007, Ty lost his father, CDF Firefighter Bryan K. Zollner, in the line of duty. Ty recalls his father always telling him, "A good firefighter lets his actions speak and always walks in humility." With this scholarship, Ty hopes to carry on that legacy and preserve his father's memory.

Also hoping to become firefighters are Brian and Mitchell Long, sons of Russell Oddis Long, a Santa Cruz City firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty in 2006. Brian is on track to finish his degree in fire science this year and then plans to go on to paramedic school.

"It wasn't until the day of my father's funeral that I truly realized what I was meant to do in this world," said Brian Long.

Mitchell also reflects on his father's memory.

"I feel that my dad still has things to accomplish and people to help in the fire service and I want to carry on his legacy," Mitchell said. Mitchell will start college this fall and major in fire science.

Each year, a copy of the Daniel A. Terry Scholarship application is sent out to all CPF locals and posted on www.cafirefoundation.org.

If you have any questions about the scholarship or would like to request an application for next year, please contact Vanessa Robinson, Foundation Director, at 916.921.9111 or vrobinson@cpf.org.

Complete listing of 2009 Daniel A. Terry Scholarship recipients:

Andrea Butler, daughter of Jerry Eugene Butler, San Francisco

Russell Harris, son of Bret H. Harris, Los Angeles City

Andrew W. Lee, son of David R. Lee, Upland

Jared D.T. Lee, son of David R. Lee, Upland

Amanda N. Long, daughter of Daniel Earl Elkins, Los Angeles County

Brian K. Long, son of Russell Oddis Long, Santa Cruz City

Mitchell G. Long, son of Russell Oddis Long, Santa Cruz City

Kelsey A. Pulley-Sauer, daughter of Wayne Pulley, Ventura County

Jessica M. Reiner, daughter of Eric F. Reiner, Los Angeles City

Gabriella T. Vanni, daughter of David E. Vanni, Contra Costa County

Heather D. Yonan, daughter of Daniel Philip Yonan, Burbank