In Memory of Sophia Akimi Troetel
Sophia Akimi Troetel was a senior at the University of Arizona when she was killed in a hit-and-run near campus on October 30, 2025. UAEMS first responders were among the first on the scene that night.
Alongside Sophia, her boyfriend, Josiah Patrick Santos and her roommate of three years and dear friend, Katya Castillo Mendoza also died in the collision. All three were seniors -- bright, driven, hard-working campus leaders.
Sophia was a New York City native and graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School. She was a Psychological Science and Spanish double major, a Creative Writing minor. Her love of music led her to KAMP Student Radio where she served as General Manager and Mobile DJ Director. She taught swimming at the campus recreation center, studied life in the universe through the Arizona Astrobiology Center and welcomed new students as a Destination Arizona orientation leader.
Sophia worked for two years as a volunteer with the Pima County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Services Division, spending many hours with crime victims providing comfort and support.
After graduating, Sophia aspired to become an EMT and then apply to medical school. She wanted to do the most good for the most people. A Wildcat to her core, she loved the State of Arizona, she loved Tucson, and she especially loved the University of Arizona.
She would be so honored to know that her name lives on this through this scholarship.
Sophia Troetel First Responder Memorial Scholarship Applications for Fall 2026 are open!
Click here to apply
Thank you for your interest in UAEMS!
If you are interested in joining our agency but are not EMT certified, the Sophia Troetel First Responder Memorial Scholarship is for you. Upon selection as a first responder in our agency, you work alongside our team to gain a unique hands-on experience while earning your EMT certification at the University of Arizona. We seek outstanding students who exhibit strong interests in academic advancement to work in healthcare and serve their campus community!
If selected as a first responder, scholarship reimbursement is provided for your EMT-B certification program. In addition, you become a probationary member of our agency the following semester. As a first responder, you have the opportunity to ride along with our 9-1-1 crews, participant in our professional trainings, and attend campus and community outreach events.
- University of Arizona undergraduate student
- BLS certified
- Plans to attend an Arizona-approved EMT-B certification class
- Recipients must maintain current, active UAEMS membership status for the duration of the course of study and for 12 months post-education in order to access scholarship funds.
- Awards shall be made payable to an educational entity in the name of the scholarship recipient. The institution must submit an invoice to the University of Arizona EMS for payment.
- The recipient must begin the educational program and begin accessing the scholarship in the term for which the award is granted.
- The recipient must maintain passing grades and remain in good standing in both the EMT program and the University of Arizona throughout the course of study and employment with the University of Arizona EMS.
- Recipients of EMT scholarships must seek certification by testing upon completion of their educational program.
- A recipient who withdraws or discontinues the educational program prior to completion for reasons within his or her control (i.e. dropping the course, academic dismissal, etc.) must immediately refund scholarship funds. No refund will be required for recipient who is unable to continue in the EMS program for reasons beyond their control. Proof of reasons for program termination will be required.
- If the recipient does not complete the program, he or she will be expected to return the award so that it may be allocated to another applicant.
Applications for the Sophia Troetel First Responder Memorial Scholarship for Fall 2026 are now open. The deadline is August 5, 2026 @ 23:59.
Any questions regarding the application can be directed to uems@arizona.edu.
Thank you for submitting an application! Once the submission deadline has passed, a member of our leadership team will reach out with more details regarding the interview process. If you have any questions or concerns prior, please reach out to us at uems@arizona.edu.
Scholarship awards will be based on merit, financial need, dedication to the profession, and dedication to the campus community.
Frequently Asked Questions
The EMT course offered at the University of Arizona is titled EMD 147. The course is offered in the fall, spring, and summer sessions. For the course description, click here.
We offer two scholarships per hiring period. Two will be awarded in January, and two more in August.
Each scholarship is valued at $2000. The scholarship will be made payable to an educational entity in the name of the scholarship recipient. If the recipient does not complete the program, the recipient will be expected to return the award so that it may be allocated to another applicant.