At Tomeny Best, we are committed to serving our community and want to raise awareness and work to make a difference. We created a scholarship to award students making a difference in their communities with compassion for animals in need. After carefully reviewing over 100 applications, we are excited to announce the winner of our 2025 Empowering Voices Scholarship!
2025 Empowering Voices Scholarship Winner: Dana Mattera
Biography
My name is Dana Mattera, and I’m a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. I’m originally from Staten Island, New York, and now living in Ponte Vedra, Florida. My journey into physical therapy began during my father’s recovery from two strokes. I became his advocate and constant support. I was by his side every step of the way, literally and emotionally holding him up during every physical therapy session, reminding him of his progress when he felt discouraged with tasks that once felt effortless, and cheering for each small victory.
With a background in neuroscience and a heart rooted in service, I have worked as a direct support professional, empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to gain independence. I volunteer as a victim advocate with Hubbard House, supporting survivors of domestic violence, and serve in leadership roles through the Junior League, organizing service projects with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Ronald McDonald House. I also volunteer at Volunteers in Medicine, helping Spanish-speaking patients navigate access to healthcare.
My goal is to become an inpatient neurophysical therapist, working with those recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries, and strokes to empower them to regain their mobility, independence, and confidence, just as physical therapy eventually did with my father.
Reaction Statement
Receiving the Tomeny Best 2025 Empowering Voices Scholarship is an incredible honor and a deeply meaningful affirmation of the path I’ve chosen. Advocacy has been a guiding force in my life—from standing up for my father during his recovery, to empowering survivors of domestic violence and individuals with disabilities to reclaim their voices and independence.
This scholarship is not only financial support—it’s also a recognition of the countless moments where I chose to speak up, to serve, and to lead. I am so grateful to Tomeny Best for believing in my story, my passion, and my purpose. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my family, professors, mentors, and my dad’s rehabilitation therapists. Most of all, thank you to my dad—for showing me what courage and resilience look like, and for inspiring the future physical therapist I strive to become.
This award reinforces my commitment to continue advocating for equity in healthcare, increasing access to physical therapy, and empowering individuals through neurorehabilitation. I am honored to be a 2025 Empowering Voices Scholar and look forward to carrying this mission forward.
Congratulations Dana Mattera! And thank you to everyone who applied to our 2025 Empowering Voices Scholarship!
At Tomeny Best, we are committed to serving our community and want to raise awareness and work to make a difference. We created a scholarship to award students making a difference in their communities with compassion for animals in need. After carefully reviewing over 100 applications, we are excited to announce the winner of our 2024 Conquering Challenges Scholarship!
2024 Conquering Challenges Scholarship Winner: Jonathan Jose
Biography
My name is Jonathan Jose, and I am a current senior at Carroll Senior High School in Southlake, Texas, and an incoming freshman at Northwestern University. I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, before moving to Texas in the summer preceding second grade. Outside of school, I enjoy hanging out with friends, playing pickup basketball, watching newly released movies, and following all things Boston sports.
Reaction Statement
“I am truly humbled and honored to have received this scholarship. I want to thank my mother, sister, uncle, and all my extended family and friends for their support as I continue my educational journey in Chicago. I am blessed to have grown up in such a supportive community and can’t wait to see what the future holds. More importantly, thank you to the Tomeny Best Scholarship Committee for providing this amazing opportunity for myself and others—I truly appreciate it.”
Congratulations Jonathan Jose! And thank you to everyone who applied to our 2024 Conquering Challenges Scholarship!
At Tomeny Best, we are committed to serving our community and want to raise awareness and work to make a difference. We created a scholarship to award students making a difference in their communities with compassion for animals in need. After carefully reviewing over 100 applications, we are excited to announce the winner of our 2023 Furever Home Scholarship!
2023 Furever Home Scholarship Winner: Gabrielle Riley
Biography
My name is Gabrielle Riley. I am the daughter of Jonilea and Charles Riley. I live in Savannah,
Georgia with my mom. I am currently a Senior at Islands High School, and I am in the Veterinary
Science Program.
I am a member of the Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society, Senior Leadership Program and play H.S. and Club Volleyball. Outside of my academics and clubs, I assist fostering dogs for Renegades Paws Rescue. I have a love of all animals. I actually found my dog, Bambi, this way. She was my foster, and I decided to keep her. I foster other dogs and prepare them socially to be adopted to a loving family. I also work at an internship at a doggy daycare called Dogtopia. I am responsible for 10-15 little dogs on a daily basis. I also volunteer at feral cat spaying and neutering clinics, at local veterinary offices, and assist at the local Animal Humane Society.
Last summer, I spent a week-long internship with the Department of Natural Resources and
found my passion was with Environmental Wildlife. I want to make a change in how we treat our
wildlife, animals, our plants, and the planet. We waste too many resources, and I want to be able
to study how to achieve the same outcomes in a less wasteful way. I want to help wildlife by
preserving the environment in which they live.
Upon graduation, I will be attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and majoring in
Natural Resources/Wildlife Management. I hope to pursue a career in the Department of Natural
Resources as a Wildlife Biologist or Wildlife Rehabilitator.
Reaction Statement
I was thrilled to learn of my selection for this honor, and I am deeply appreciative of
your support. I was extremely honored to be chosen.
I am currently at Islands High School in the Veterinary Program in Savannah, GA, and plan on
going to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall. The financial assistance you have
provided will be of great help to me in paying for my educational expenses and will allow me to
spend more of my time studying. By awarding this scholarship, it will also help me
concentrate on my extracurricular studies like fieldwork and wildlife internships. I have chosen
to attend a school out of the Savannah area because the local colleges did not have the degree
I was passionate about. I chose ABAC because it will help me succeed in obtaining my degree
in Natural Resources/Wildlife Management. My passion is to be a Wildlife Biologist and make a
change in our Wildlife Conservation. This scholarship will assist my mother with the full financial
burden of paying for my school, living expenses, and meal plan.
Congratulations Gabrielle! And thank you to everyone who applied to our 2023 Furever Home Scholarship!
