The ESA Youth Scholarship Program was developed to support the children of first responders such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs. During ESX 2025, Presley Douglas, accepted the 2025 Youth Scholarship Award. Here’s what he had to say…

[Full Video of Speech Available Below]

The whaling sirens, the crackle of a radio, and the Southern rush of urgency. These sounds have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father, the Metter Fire Chief and a first responder, has spent his entire life running towards danger while others run away. His unwavering commitment to protecting our community has not only shaped my childhood but has instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility, resilience, in service. Many people see fire trucks rushing past and only feel the inconvenience of the flashing lights and blocking their route. Some sign frustration when they have to slow down as the truck’s back into the station. But for me, these moments are sacred. They mean my father’s coming home, home from pulling someone out of a burning building, from responding to a wreck on a dark back road, for bringing comfort to a family on their worst days. Not everyone gets that reassurance. I’ve grown up knowing that every shift he carries the way of uncertainty, but I also know he wouldn’t choose any other life. One evening, after my 4HBP practice, I witnessed firsthand why his job is more than just a profession. 

It’s a calling. His radio crackled to life. A woman unconscious in need of immediate medical attention. Without hesitation, my dad quickly changed direction, flipped in on his lights, and sirens began as he raced to the scene. I sat in his truck, my heart pounding as I watched him work. Every moment was precise. Every decision was deliberate. He performed life-saving measures with the same calm confidence I’ve seen him carry through countless emergencies. That night, he didn’t just save a life, he reinforced the values that have come to define my own. Growing up with a first responder as a father means growing up with sacrifice. Birthdays, Christmas morning, and family events have all been interrupted by the sound of his pager.

There were many years where he wasn’t able to sit there and watch us open presents because someone else’s family needed him more. I never resented it, though. Instead, it made me admire him even more. His selflessness has taught me that his service is more than a choice. It is a responsibility. His dedication to protecting others has inspired me to give back in every way I can, whether through agriculture, leadership, or community service. 

I’ve taken his example and applied it to my own passions, working to make a different in those lives around me. One of the most meaningful ways I’ve embraced this responsibility is through my work as a livestock exhibitor mentor. Just as my father trains his team to handle high pressure situations, I’ve dedicated myself to mentoring the Youth Livestock Exhibitors in daily livestock care, training, and showmanship. I assist them with feeding, grooming, and managing their animals, and helping them build confidence and responsibility, qualities my father has instilled in me. Watching these exhibitors grow up and succeed reminds me of the power of guidance and the importance of leading by example, just as my father has done for me.

My passions for serving go beyond the ring. As a volunteer tutor for the Ken Lincoln Boys & Girls Club, I dedicate my time to help students overcome academic challenges. Whether it’s explaining math problems or encouraging to push through obstacles, I’ll strive to be a mentor who instills perseverance, just as my father does in work. His ability to remain calm under pressure has influenced my own approach to problem solving, teaching me that true leadership means more than dependable in times of need. 

Beyond mentoring and tutoring, I have been actively involved in numerous community service projects. Inspired by my father’s dedication to emergency response, I have worked to provide relief for those facing hardship. After Hurricane Helene, I helped clean yards, clear debris, and assist families in rebuilding. I also co-led a food drive, collecting thousands of cans and raising funds to combat hunger. These efforts, though small in comparison to my sacrifices my father makes daily, are my way of facing forward his legacy of service. Perhaps the most valuable lesson I’ve learned from my father is that true leadership is not recognition but about impact. Whether responding to emergency in the middle of the night or ensuring his firefighters return home safely, he leads with humility and unwavering commitment. His influence has shaped me in the way I approach my leadership roles. Whether serving as an officer in FFA, advocating for agriculture, or mentoring others, his example reminds me that making a difference isn’t about the spotlight. It’s about stepping up when matters most. As I look forward to the future, I carry his lessons with me. My goal is to become a veterinarian and serve rural communities where quality of care, of animal care is often limited.  

Just as my father answers the call to protect people, I want to dedicate my to protecting the animals and the farmers that our families depend on. His commitment to the well-being of others has fueled my passion to make an impact in my own way through medicine, education, and advocacy. Every time I hear his radio buzz with another emergency, I’m reminded of the sacrifices he makes, the lives he changes, and the example he sets. His service has not only protected our community but has also shaped me into the person I am today. Because of him, I understand that life has a purpose and his dedicated to one another. And while I might not wear a Fire Chief uniform, I would carry his legacy forward to compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to making a difference. In closing, it is an absolute honor standing here.

I want to sincerely thank the Electronic Security Association and its members for not only welcoming me to this incredible event, but for selecting me as a recipient of the scholarship. As a child of a first responder, this opportunity holds deep personal meaning. I’ve grown watching my dad serve our community with courage and compassion, putting others before himself. 

No matter the hour or the risk, that selflessness has shaped me into who I am. To have the dedication recognized by an organization like ESA, one that also works to protect and serve, it is incredibly moving. Your commitment to honoring first responders and investing into their children’s future is powerful, and I’m beyond grateful to be a part of it. This scholarship means more than just financial help. It is a message that our family’s service matters, our stories are seen, and our dreams are worth supporting. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you again for this life-changing opportunity and for your service to communities across the country and for helping students like me believe in a bigger future. Thank you.