Courtesy Photo | (PHOTO BY KEN HOLT): Daniel Finney, recipient of the 2019 James H. Parke Memorial...... read more read more
Story by Jennifer Scales
Photos by Ken Holt
Columbia VA Health Care System Public Affairs and Medical Media
In the Spring of April 2001, Daniel Matthew Harper Finney was born to commence his own historical place by ‘making a difference for those who have made a difference’.
As the 2019 James H. Parke Memorial Fund Summer Youth Scholarship Award winner, he used his strong foundation to make a difference by serving the Veterans and supporting staff at the Columbia Veterans Affairs Health Care System (CVAHCS).
The A.C. Flora High School Senior has claimed residence at the CVAHCS every summer for the past five years. Instead of sharing a burger with peers at the local hamburger restaurant, he spent his time helping Veterans and learning about the health care services which are provided to those who are seeking medical care.
“In the beginning, volunteering was a new concept to me,” Finney began. “Getting involved in the VA Summer Volunteer Program was recommended to me by my older sister, Arielle. She had completed the program when she was in high school. As I was unsure of just what to do and where to begin, working here at Dorn VA Medical Center began to pay off in a sense of accomplishment, learning about medicine in the VA setting, and with me deciding upon a career path.”
Finney has been able to help medical staff and Veterans in the prosthetics clinic, surgical clinic, emergency room and sterile processing during his volunteer hours at the facility.
“Helping Veterans and their families as they awaited surgical outcomes was enlightening to me, as we talked about their various experiences in the military. Every area that I worked in was unique, and therefore I gained and learned new information every moment I was there, no matter where I was assigned for the summer.”
As if volunteering in the Summer Volunteer Program was not enough, Finney has frequently come back to the medical center to help out after school and during school breaks working with the Veterans at the medical center. He spent every second Thursday of the month after school volunteering with the Combat Veterans Service Organizations to feed homeless Veterans. Finney also volunteered each December with the Annual Vets Charity Ride, entwined with over 3,000 community supporters and motorcycle riders, who ensured that inpatient and residential Veterans had a good Christmas.
The nomination for the 2019 Parke Scholarship Award was made by David Omura, Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Columbia VA Health Care System. Omura has been able to observe Finney throughout his years as a volunteer, so the nomination was an easy one to make.
“He has a trifecta package,” Omura began. “First of all, with tons of talent, Finney automatically rose to the top. He loves to champion the causes for underdogs and has a natural ability to bring people together. Second and third is that he is a true leader in sports and academics. I expect to see a great leader evolve from within him in the future.”
Finney’s type of selfless stewardship comes from a family who has ingrained in their essence the ‘servant leadership’ genes to help and care for anyone needing assistance. Just to name a few, his grandfather, Ernest Finney, Jr. was the first African-American Supreme Court Justice appointed to the South Carolina Supreme Court since the Reconstruction Era; his father, Ernest "Chip" Finney III, Third Circuit solicitor, has been a member of the South Carolina Bar since 1981 and has practiced law in what is known as the South Carolina Midlands for more than 30 years; and his mother Tammy Harper Finney, is a registered nurse who is the chief of Community Relations & Engagement Service and acting chief of Voluntary Service of the Columbia VA Health Care System.
When it comes down to influences on his life, Finney easily deflects to his mother, father and Aunt Nikky.
“My mom has always told me to be sure to do what is right, even when I think there is no one watching me,” Finney began. “My dad has emphasized to be grateful for the little things in life and conduct myself in a respectful manner whether my parents are around or not. Such as making eye contact and dressing neat and being presentable are his points I recall. And my Aunt Nikky Finney, who is a professor at the University of South Carolina, has been instrumental in helping me learn new school concepts ahead of my grade. We would learn new and advanced educational subjects in advance of my next assigned grade in school.”
Now that high school is about to become a chapter in his past, Finney’s educational future is ready. All that lies now at the time of this printing is whether he will attend Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.; Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C.; College of Charleston in S.C.; or University of South Carolina in the upstate of S.C.; all of which have offered him scholarships to attend…or make a decision to forge ahead elsewhere.
Finney has several career options he is considering also. “Working at the VA has opened a gateway of sorts into medicine for me,” Finney said. With the world facing a shortage of doctors, he is also looking at possibly sports medicine. “I would be helping out other athletes, while keeping close to the game. Then of course, there is the option of going into the field of sports law (who would guess!). I come from a long line of attorneys, judges, and solicitors who would have my back and be a reference point for me.”
But Finney does have a side to him when he is not volunteering or playing basketball. “I enjoy getting in the kitchen and cooking with my mom,” Finney said. “I mean ‘real’ food…not something out of the box. I can cook some mean ‘greens’ and macaroni and cheese, while my brother, Rechard, who is a pharmacy technician at Dorn, is handling the baking.”
In addition to his athletic prowess and volunteerism, Finney receives accolades and admiration from family, former co-workers and educators about his receipt of the Parke Scholarship.
Assistant principal, Tori Simmons of A.C. Flora High School notes Finney’s refinement. “One can tell that he has been around adults, as he is comfortable in striking up conversations, yet still being respectful,” Simmons said. “He has an innate ability to connect with people and I cannot imagine a better person to get the award.
Head boys’ basketball coach, Joshua Staley at A.C. Flora has seen Finney grow into a stronger leader each year, since he began on the team in the eighth grade. “Remain humble and keep improving,” Staley said.
Susan Childs, Finney’s high school principal stated what many others have said. “Finney is extremely well-rounded, respectful and polite. Getting the award is well-deserved and a fantastic opportunity.”
Chris Bumgarner, Finney’s Survey of Radio/TV/Film and English teacher also offered congratulations. “Keep applying yourself times three. Look for opportunities and never stop going forward,” Bumgarner said.
Reusable Medical Equipment Coordinator at Dorn, Jwan Jackson, was Finney’s supervisor in the sterile processing arena. “He was excited and quick to learn,” Jackson said. “He showed exemplary characteristics that you look for in someone much older than him. The award is very well deserved for him.”
Finney’s brother, Rechard Harris, also is proud of him. “He is diligent in everything he does,” Harris said. “In this day and age, it’s hard to find someone like my brother who is willing to give back to the community, as he has done.”
“I’m the proudest mom in the nation,” Tammy, his mother begins. “He has always been a kind and caring child. All of the public servants in our family are a part of his genetic fabric. Never pretentious, Daniel has received more giving back to Veterans at Dorn than he ever expected.”
Tammy added, “To whom much is given, much is required. Our child has been given the seed of opportunity to understand, love this country and our patriots; as a result he has developed into a productive citizen in his community.”
From a pool of applicants across the country, Finney was selected for the James H. Parke Memorial Scholarship based upon a written essay, grade point average and references. To be eligible, candidates must have completed 100 hours of regularly scheduled VAVS volunteer service during the calendar year prior to September 1; be a student in the 10th grade or above; and have not reached their 19th birthday.
To find out more about the scholarship, visit https://www.volunteer.va.gov/ParkeScholarship.asp. To find out more about Voluntary Services in Veterans Affairs, visit https://www.volunteer.va.gov/.
| Date Taken: | 03.28.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.28.2019 12:54 |
| Story ID: | 316009 |
| Location: | COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 378 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Student nurtured in family of service honored with Parke Scholarship, by Jennifer Scales, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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