Heart Disease Scholarship Recipient Transforms Medical Challenges into National Security Career Path

Ashley H. Calogero has been named the recipient of the 2025 Berger and Green Heart Disease Scholarship, a $1,000 award recognizing students living with heart disease who demonstrate exceptional resilience. Calogero, recently accepted to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, will pursue a degree in Global Security and Intelligence Studies despite facing significant medical challenges from birth. Born with a rare congenital heart defect, Calogero underwent life-saving surgery just hours after birth when one of the world's leading cardiac surgeons happened to be at the same hospital. She survived against staggering odds with only one procedure, growing up with physical scars that initially made her feel "born broken" but eventually became symbols of strength.

Her Japanese grandmother's advice, "nana korobi ya oki" (fall down seven times, get up eight), profoundly shaped her perspective on overcoming adversity. Calogero's resilience was tested again when her childhood dream of military service was medically disqualified due to her heart surgery. Inspired by her mother's 24-year career as an Air Force physician, she had aspired to attend the military academy and pursue a commission as an officer. The medical disqualification represented a significant setback, but true to her grandmother's wisdom, Calogero reframed the disappointment into motivation.

In her scholarship essay, Calogero wrote, "If I faced such a major challenge in the first hours of my life, I can do anything." This statement embodies the spirit of the Berger and Green Heart Disease Scholarship, which honors students who demonstrate perseverance in the face of extraordinary challenges. The scholarship program, detailed at https://www.bergerandgreen.com/scholarships, annually recognizes students living with heart disease who show exceptional determination.

Now enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Calogero is studying Global Security and Intelligence Studies, a program that prepares students to identify and prevent national and international threats. Her academic pursuits are complemented by extensive extracurricular involvement, including varsity tennis, Student Council, Interact Club, and the National Honor Society, where she has tutored and supported peers. Looking toward the future, Calogero aims to earn a commission in the U.S. Air Force as an Intelligence Officer and eventually transition to a federal agency to continue protecting the nation. Her journey from medical challenges to pursuing a career in national security demonstrates how personal resilience can transform obstacles into opportunities for service and achievement.