Estelle Phelan is the surviving daughter of Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Nicole Phelan who lost her life in 2024 while serving under USSOCOM.
SOWF has truly played a life-changing role in supporting my college journey. My mom passed away at the end of my sophomore year while we were stationed in Belgium. My mom, Nicole Phelan, was a role model in my life and her career as an Air Force officer in Special Operations who served as a navigator flying MC-130s. She served in the 9th SOS, 17th SOS, and was a 14th Weapons School graduate who later went on to become an instructor. My mom passed away as a Lt. Colonel, working as the Vice President of Academic Affairs at the NATO Special Operations University.
I attended EPIC this past summer after I completed my junior year. EPIC is a one week camp held at the University of South Florida. We stayed in the dorms, ate cafeteria food, and attended camp lectures. I had the opportunity to gain new skills, such as learning how to budget my money, brand myself for interviews, and discover ways to cope with my emotions in a healthy manner. The camp offered insight on college and trade school opportunities, both of which SOWF pays for in full. As a college-bound student, I was very intrigued to learn about the college admissions process, taught to us by Peter Van Buskirk, the founder of Best College Fit. This was my favorite and most helpful part of EPIC because I got an in-depth look into the college admissions process, what colleges look for in an applicant, and how to organize my college application. Aside from the learning, I was finally surrounded by kids just like me for the first time since my mom passed. The camp facilitated numerous bonding events where we got a break from the classroom and went bowling, dined on a cruise, and toured the campus. The friendships I made at this camp are what made it truly special.
Following my week at EPIC, I attended a week-long Medical Academy at Georgetown University. I’ve been interested in becoming a doctor ever since my mom passed away and I was able to gain invaluable experience in the medical field. While I had glamorized being a doctor, this camp made my dreams much more realistic. I got hands-on learning experience by looking at cadavers, dissecting a rat, suturing chicken breasts, and learning how to cast. Attending this camp has encouraged me to join the pre-med track for whichever university I attend; without SOWF, I would not have been able to gain this eye-opening knowledge that has placed me one step closer to my goals.
SOWF has also been funding my ACT tutoring. When I moved in with my grandparents in San Diego, I was shocked by the competitive atmosphere. Most people had been taking ACT/ SAT test prep courses for a long time, making me feel behind. SOWF’s generous funding for my tutoring put me on a level playing field when competing against my peers for prestigious universities. My tutoring has proved extremely helpful and my practice scores have increased exponentially since my initial test.
In addition to these resources, SOWF also funds college tour visits, allowing me to see colleges outside of California and expand my horizons for where the next four years may take me.
SOWF’s funding of my camp, tutoring, and college tuition has opened all doors for me and has alleviated so many pressures for me and my grandparents during such a difficult time. I would not have the resources or confidence to apply to the colleges I am today without the big-heartedness of SOWF, and I am deeply grateful for the future their support makes possible. I am looking forward to seeing where I end up next year!