Evan Freeman wants to keep with a family tradition of helping others.

Freeman’s father is a Port Arthur firefighter, his mother is a paramedic/dispatcher for Acadian Ambulance, his stepmother is a firefighter/emergency medical technician for the Nederland Fire Department and his brother is a certified firefighter/EMT working for Acadian Ambulance.

Freeman will receive some assistance along the way as the first recipient of the Willie A. Ryman III Scholarship.

“This scholarship is being used to continue the tradition of emergency medical services within my family,” Freeman said in a statement. “I was raised to help those in need and am excited to start this new journey in life and serve my community.”

With the help from the scholarship, Freeman will attend the National Emergency Medical Services Academy in Beaumont, which is hosted by Acadian Ambulance through the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.

“I would like to thank the Port Arthur Professional Firefighters Association Local 397 for choosing me as the recipient of this scholarship and allowing me to take the steps towards achieving my dream,” he said.

The Willie A. Ryman III Scholarship Fund as created in 2016 and named in honor of Ryman, who was a Port Arthur firefighter who tragically lost his life in February 1998. The scholarship is set up to assist children of Port Arthur firefighters in their first year of college and is awarded to graduating seniors.

“We are proud to award Evan Freeman with the 2017 Willie A. Ryman III Scholarship worth $1,000,” PAFD Capt. Perry Manuel, chairman of the Willie A. Ryman III Scholarship Fund, said.