My Calling

by Marine Scholar, Andrew Arencibia

I knew at a very young age that my calling was to help people. And I’ve dedicated my life to medicine – studying hard to become a biomedical engineer and using my skills to conduct in-depth research on clinical epilepsy at Yale University before recently transitioning to help others in a new way as an engineer for Lutron Electronics.

But my dad – a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant who served 12 combat deployments – taught me something even more important: All of us have the opportunity to help others each and every day – in the ways we speak to one another, in the ways we treat our neighbors, and in the ways we choose to give our hard-earned money.

So, let me be clear: I would not be where I am today without the support of generous Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation donors. And I am so grateful.

Last week, I had the honor of sharing my story at the Scholarship Foundation’s annual Celebratory Gala. But that night, I spoke for more than just myself. I spoke for my sister, Elizabeth – who will soon graduate with her degree in history education. I spoke for my sister, Autumn – who is about to graduate high school and will enter college without the financial burden that often comes with higher education. And I spoke for children of Marines hailing from all 50 states because people like you made an investment in our future. We celebrated the incredible sacrifices our parents made for this great country.

All of us are able to pursue our education – and build a bright future for our nation – because of your honor, your courage, your commitment. Through all the deployments, through the long hours preparing for college, through the hard times, our other family – our Marine Corps family, including the Scholarship Foundation – has been there to take care of children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen like us, and I hope you always will be.

From the bottom of my heart – thank you.

Andrew Arencibia