Amelia Hernandez has been named the recipient of the 2025 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Scholarship by the law firm Bogin, Munns & Munns. A junior at Texas Tech University majoring in Social Work with a minor in Apparel Design and Manufacturing, Hernandez plans to use her education and personal experience to improve support systems for individuals and families navigating FASD.
Hernandez's motivation stems directly from her family life, having grown up as the oldest sibling in a family that adopted three children diagnosed with FASD. She has witnessed how behaviors associated with the disorder are frequently misunderstood by educators, caregivers, and social workers, sometimes leading to counterproductive interventions. In her scholarship essay, she emphasized that a lack of awareness can have significant negative consequences. "Situations like this are often misread because too few people truly understand the disorder or its complex presentation," Hernandez explained. Her professional goal is to become a social worker who possesses that necessary understanding to advocate for better training and resources.
At Texas Tech, Hernandez serves as a student representative for the Department of Social Work and Anthropology and leads outreach programs with the Volunteer Service Team at the Wesley Foundation, organizing community service in Lubbock. After completing her bachelor's degree, she intends to pursue a master's in social work with the aim of working in hospitals that serve rural and underserved populations, providing resources and hope to patients and families.
The scholarship is awarded by Bogin, Munns & Munns, a firm that has championed respect and awareness for individuals facing challenges since 1979. The firm states the scholarship extends its belief that fairness and compassion should reach beyond the legal system. By supporting students like Hernandez, the firm aims to inspire greater understanding and advocacy for those affected by FASD. More information about the firm can be found at https://www.boginmunns.com.
For business and technology leaders, this announcement highlights a growing intersection between social advocacy, healthcare, and professional education. The persistent gap in understanding complex disorders like FASD within key support professions such as social work and education represents both a systemic challenge and an area for impactful intervention. Hernandez's path illustrates how targeted educational support can cultivate specialized expertise where it is most needed. Her focus on serving rural and underserved hospital populations also points to broader issues of healthcare accessibility and the role of trained advocates in navigating complex systems. The firm's ongoing scholarship program, detailed further at https://www.boginmunns.com/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-scholarship/, represents a model for private sector engagement in addressing specialized societal needs by investing directly in the next generation of professionals.
