Certified nursing assistant Jermya Adams, 23, was stunned when Palm Beach State College presented her with a full scholarship for $25,000 after learning of her heroism in saving the life of a local toddler. On April 10, Adams was suddenly awoken by a neighbor’s desperate cries for help. Her neighbor’s 22-month-old son had wandered outside and fell into a nearby lake. Although the mother was able to pull the boy out, he was not breathing. Adams quickly performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and thanks to her quick response, the boy is now doing well.

The scholarship is a chance to recognize the courage of a young woman who has spent most of her life caring for others. After losing her mother at the age of 9, Adams cared for her siblings and her grandmother who had a severe respiratory illness. That experience led her to dream of furthering her education to become a respiratory therapist or a licensed nurse. But as a single mom with a young daughter, she did not have the means.

Fast forward six months later and Adams is thriving in her second semester at PBSC.  “I am so thankful for the opportunity,” she said. “I can’t wait to finish all my prerequisites so I can start my respiratory classes. Adams currently works 12-hour shifts providing patient care at a detox facility where she does everything from helping patients with everyday activities, ensuring they attend appointments and providing them with their medication. “I understand they are at a phase in their life where they want to get better, but it is hard for them,” she said. Any free time she has is spent juggling caring for five-year old daughter Ka’oir and taking online classes at PBSC. “It can be tough to balance it all, but I do it because I always dream big, and I really want to succeed.”

So far, Adams is doing just that gaining top grades in all her courses. “I’m really enjoying all my courses,” she said. “I never really liked math but her at PBSC the teacher I have these last two semesters has made it so much easier and more understandable.” She is also enjoying the camaraderie of her new classmates.  “Everyone has been really friendly, and it is great to be able to reach out to people when I have questions about assignments.”

Adams is looking forward to beginning her respiratory therapy classes next semester and she plans to graduate with an Associate in Science degree in Respiratory Care.  She also has the opportunity to continue on to receive the College’s Bachelor of Science degree in Cardiopulmonary Sciences.  “We are thrilled to be able to offer this scholarship to such a deserving local hero,” said David Rutherford, vice president of Institutional Advancement and CEO of The Foundation for Palm Beach State College. “She has all the attributes of a potential leader in the health care field.”