Town of Kensington Awards Tuition Assistance to KVFD Members
The Kensington Volunteer Fire Department is proud to recognize three outstanding members who received tuition assistance through the Town of Kensington’s 2025 Scholarship Program.
Established in early 2025 through KVFD’s longstanding partnership with the Town of Kensington, the program was developed in collaboration with Mayor Tracey Furman, along with Town Manager Matt Hoffman, and approved unanimously by the Kensington Town Council, as part of the Town’s FY26 Budget. The initiative provides tuition assistance to active volunteers committed to continued service, helping ease the financial burden of higher education while making it more manageable to balance academic responsibilities with emergency response duties.
2025 Scholarship Recipients
- Sofia Monticelli, Charge EMT – Biology Major, University of Maryland, College Park
- Eric Cary, Firefighter and EMT – Nursing Prerequisite Student, Montgomery College
- Ishara Rajapakse, Firefighter and EMT – Biology Major (Pre-Med Track), University of Maryland, College Park
Many KVFD volunteers, including this year’s recipients, are pursuing careers in healthcare and public safety.
Impact on Student Volunteers
Eric, who began volunteering in high school, said the scholarship reduces financial stress and allows him to stay focused on both school and service. “I decided to join KVFD because I wanted to expand my skills and my outlook in life while being able to help others,” Eric said. “The department has given me opportunities to earn multiple certifications and use them to serve the public.”
Ishara initially joined KVFD seeking clinical experience but quickly discovered a deeper commitment to the fire service. “It has been one of the best decisions of my life,” Ishara said. “I not only gained hands-on clinical experience on the ambulance, but I also discovered a strong passion for firefighting and engine operations, something I never expected when I first joined.”
Sofia joined KVFD in August 2024 after earning her EMT certification in high school and now serves as a Charge EMT on the Sunday day shift while pursuing her pre-medical studies. “Everyone at the station has always been incredibly supportive and accommodating, which has helped me balance my service commitments with my coursework,” she said. “Receiving support through the scholarship means a great deal to me. It allows me to continue serving in a role I care deeply about while pursuing my education and future career.”
Together, their experiences demonstrate how the scholarship allows student volunteers to remain fully engaged in both their academic goals and their commitment to serving the Kensington community.
A Strong Community Partnership
The Town of Kensington’s support reflects a shared commitment to developing future healthcare and public safety professionals while ensuring strong emergency services for local residents. By supporting student volunteers, the Town is directly investing in the next generation of community leaders and emergency responders.
KVFD is grateful for its continued partnership with the Town and for its commitment to the volunteers who answer the call every day.
To learn more about volunteering opportunities, visit kvfd.org/join or email recruiter@kvfd.org.
