Ms. Amelia Hernandez has spent her life surrounded by compassion, resilience, and a deep understanding of what it means to care for others. As the oldest sibling in a family
that adopted three children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), she has witnessed firsthand the daily challenges—and quiet victories—that come with the condition.
Now a junior at Texas Tech University studying social work, Amelia is turning that experience into purpose. Her empathy and determination to create systemic change make her a standout recipient of the 2025 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Scholarship from Bogin, Munns & Munns.
The Power of Understanding
For Amelia, the inspiration behind her studies and scholarship essay comes from a place of love and lived experience. “Being the oldest child in a family that adopted three siblings with FASD has deeply influenced who I am and what I hope to do in life,” she explained. Growing up, she saw how compassion and patience could transform moments of confusion or frustration into opportunities for connection and progress.
In her essay, Amelia describes the misunderstandings that families like hers often face—from teachers, medical professionals, and even social workers—when behavioral symptoms of FASD are mistaken for neglect or misconduct. She recalls one incident in which a social worker misinterpreted her sister’s behavior in the school cafeteria as a sign of mistreatment. “Situations like this are often misread,” Amelia wrote, “because too few people truly understand the disorder or its complex presentation.”
That insight became her calling. Her goal of becoming a social worker is to ensure that every child and family affected by the disorder receives the compassion, support, and advocacy they deserve.
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Education, Leadership, and a Future in Service
At Texas Tech University, Amelia has turned her passion for advocacy into action. A junior majoring in Social Work with a minor in Apparel Design and Manufacturing, she balances academic excellence with hands-on involvement in her campus community. As an active member of the Social Work Student Organization, she serves as a student representative for the Department of Social Work and Anthropology, helping strengthen communication between students and faculty.
Outside the classroom, Amelia leads with compassion. She serves as a student leader at the Wesley Foundation, where she heads the Volunteer Service Team and organizes community outreach projects throughout Lubbock. These experiences have deepened her understanding of how service can transform both communities and individuals.
“When I graduate, I plan on pursuing a master’s degree in social work,” Amelia shared. “I hope to work in a hospital in a rural or impoverished area and provide a sense of hope to patients and their families.” Her long-term goal is to become the kind of social worker who bridges empathy with action — ensuring that every person, regardless of background or diagnosis, receives the care and dignity they deserve.
Bogin, Munns & Munns Congratulates Amelia Hernandez
Amelia’s empathy, resilience, and drive to improve understanding around Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder exemplify the spirit of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Scholarship. Her story highlights how awareness and compassion can shape a future dedicated to meaningful change — one family, one community, and one act of understanding at a time.
Since its founding in 1979, Bogin, Munns & Munns has been guided by the principles of respect, dignity, and fairness. Through this scholarship, our firm extends those same values beyond the courtroom by supporting students who are committed to raising awareness of FASD and advocating for those affected by it.
The firm is proud to support Amelia as she continues her studies and works to create a world where every individual is met with understanding, patience, and compassion.
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