Dillon Heefner
2024 Scholarship Winner
University of Vermont – Undeclared

When I was in 4th grade, on Cinco de Mayo, my mom told me and my 2 siblings that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Being the oldest child at nine years old, I was the only one who was old enough to know what cancer was, but I was still young enough that I didn’t understand what effects it could have. When my mom was going through treatment, I understood that she was sick with a deadly disease, but I didn’t realize the toll the cancer was taking on her, both physically and mentally. I rarely saw my mom when she was hurting the most, as I was often sent to a friend’s house or to my grandparents when she had a big surgery. I never really understood how difficult it must have been for my mom to raise 3 children while fighting cancer, but now I can appreciate how incredible it was for her to stay positive for us and fight her pain to take care of us.

I remember that soon after my mom finished her battle with cancer, she called us into her room and told us that she had a surprise for us. She told us that we were going on vacation to Myrtle Beach, and that it was a retreat from an organization called Little Pink Houses of Hope. I wasn’t quite sure what that meant at the time, but it didn’t really seem like the vacations we would usually take to the mountains or amusement parks with family. When we got there and met the Volunstars, I couldn’t believe how nice they were. As soon as we met them and they took us to our house I knew that we were in good hands. The next 7 days were a blast. We got to have a day at the beach, have a scavenger hunt around the campground, drive a boat to an island to collect shells, see dolphins, and have a night at the arcade. After a few days we hit it off with the other kids there, and when the trip was over, we were sad to leave them and the incredible Volunstars. The week had been exactly what our family had needed, a week where we didn’t have to worry about anything and we had people who could take care of us and give us time to relax. It was a break from real life for my parents, who had gone through so much and deserved a break for a week. Our time at Little Pink was able to point us in the direction that we were headed in before cancer redirected us, giving us back the sense of hope that life could go back to normal. The following year, both of my parents volunteered at a Little Pink retreat, and my dad has gone back every year since then. It inspires me that they are returning the favor that Little Pink gave us to others, and they are giving hope to others the same way that the Volunstars gave hope to us. The Volunstars in Myrtle Beach and my parents both taught me the importance of giving back to others and inspire me to do the same every time I can.

Now, I am a senior in high school trying to figure out where I want to go to college. I’m looking for a college that allows me to see some new places and learn more independence for myself. I want to discover ways to make my mark on the world, whether it be through a job, a volunteer organization, or a social group. I want to meet new people and befriend a diverse group of people. I want to help children who have been affected by cancer through an organization called Camp Kesem. I am not sure what I want to do as a career, so I will be starting off in an undeclared program. The environment is something I have always been passionate about, so I am hoping to find a school with a strong environmental program that allows me the flexibility to explore many different options within that field, as well as outside of it. It’s hard to imagine life beyond college, but know that I want to live a life full of meaning and one that I can enjoy. I want to be able to explore my passions and do things like immersing myself in nature, traveling the world, and exploring new cultures. I hope to start a family and become a strong and supportive parent to my children, like my parents have been to me. I strive to have a job that I am passionate about and that I enjoy. Above all, I want to be able to help people the way that the Volunstars at Little Pink helped me and my family in Myrtle Beach.