The Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association is excited to recognize Emma Prieto as the Second-Place recipient of the 2025 LLSSA Youth Scholarship! Emma is the daughter of Captain Jason Prieto of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Department. This fall, she will begin her next chapter at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she plans to continue her strong record of academic excellence and leadership. The LLSSA Youth Scholarship Program honors the children of dedicated public safety professionals, and Emma’s accomplishments reflect the values of service, determination, and community that the program was created to celebrate. Congratulations, Emma! We’re proud to support your journey and can’t wait to see all you achieve.
Learn more about the LLSSA Youth Scholarship Program at llssa.org/benefits/scholarships.
We have shared her essay entry here:
Emma Prieto
LLSSA Youth Scholarship Program
I have always been fascinated by my father’s role in our community. From a very young age, I have always loved hearing the stories from his days in the Narcotics Division. It makes me very proud to know that he has contributed to the safety of our community in so many different ways. Most importantly, he puts his life on the line every single day to protect others. I am incredibly lucky to have him as a father and to benefit from the knowledge and values he has instilled in me. One of the most important lessons my father has taught me is how to protect myself in any situation and to always be aware of my surroundings. His strong sense of morals and integrity has influenced the way I live my life. He emphasizes the importance of honesty and always doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Unknowingly, his lessons have become second nature to me, I find myself instinctively looking for the nearest exit in public settings. These lessons have made me a highly responsible person.
The work of a police officer is emotionally and physically draining. Even on the most difficult days, my father gives his all to his job, showing his dedication and upstanding character. He has inspired me to approach situations in my life with the same perseverance. One lesson he has always stressed is being overly cautious, especially in large public settings such as Mardi Gras parades. I recall a specific experience at the Eve Mardi Gras parade last year where I utilized everything, he has taught me. As the parade ended, my friends and I were walking back to our car. We were passing the Canes and McDonalds parking lot when we heard a loud noise. I did not hesitate to realize it was a gunshot, then people were running in all directions.
Immediately, I grabbed my friend’s hand and ran in the opposite direction. I had remembered a hidden area nearby where we could go if anything were to happen. I led my friends to a building, where we hid behind an air conditioning unit and some trees. Once we made it, I reminded my friends to stay calm and focus on breathing. My father had often reminded me to keep a clear head and remain calm in high-intensity situations. Then, I called him to let him know what was happening. After we waited for ten to fifteen minutes, we noticed people calmly walking back to their cars. Then we cautiously walked out from our hiding spot and saw police lights flashing near McDonalds; that was when my father informed me that the gunman had been apprehended. After we had safely made it back to our car, I was thinking about how I knew what to do in that situation because of what my father taught me. I realized that if he had not stressed the importance of remaining calm in high-intensity situations, I would not have reacted in the way that I did. Experiences such as these make me appreciate the impact my father has had on my life. In addition to protecting our community, his lessons have shaped me into the person I am today. He inspires me every day to be the best version of myself. I am beyond grateful for his guidance, and I know that the many lessons he has taught me will stay with me for the rest of my life.