SCHOLARSHIP RECEIPIENTS FOR 2010


GLORIA VOLLERS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

April Schumacher is the recipient of the Gloria Vollers Memorial Scholarship. April has been accepted into the Northeast Community College Nursing Program for the fall of 2010. April is currently employed at Pender Community Hospital as a unit secretary. She believes that working in a rural health setting has taught her "to be a more compassionate person" and is something that she takes pride in. April is excited to have the chance to care for all types of patients, pediatric to geriatric, cardiac to obstetrics, or to help a grieving family in their time of need. April is a 1999 graduate of Pender High School. She and her husband, John, live in Pender and have a daughter, Kaitlyn. April is a volunteer for the Pender Fire Department, Pender Community Hospital Auxiliary, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Pender Summer Recreation Program and is on a local volleyball and softball league.


MERLIN BRONDUM MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Alisyn Hansen is the recipient of the Merlin Brondum Memorial Scholarship. She is currently enrolled in the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy and will graduate in 2013. Throughout high school and college, Alisyn worked at Keller Pharmacy in Ponca, NE and states her inspiration and role model is Virginia Keller. Some of the lessons she learned were "compassion for another's well being, the drive to succeed and the inspiration to make a difference in the lives of many." She worked at the pharmacy during high school and in college and is now employed at the Nebraska Medical Center inpatient pharmacy as a pharmacy intern. Alisyn is a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Sharing Clinic, Hope Clinic and Healthy Heartland (UNMC student run clinics) and also volunteers several hours each week teaching a Chemistry Club to a second grade class. She states, "the opportunities to volunteer are everywhere" and she is "excited to figure out what to help with next!" Alisyn is a 2007 graduate of Ponca High School and currently lives in Omaha.

TRISHA KINNAMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Trisha Kinnaman Memorial Scholarship recipient is Lauren Robins of Elkhorn, NE. Lauren is a 2001 graduate of Bennington High School, Bennington, NE and is currently a graduate student at Creighton University in the Occupational Therapy program. Lauren states she was drawn to occupational therapy because of its ability to recognize the entire unique individual. "Occupational therapy allows me to combine my passion for advocating for those with a mental illness with my passion to educate the community and thrust young adults toward their dreams." Her ultimate goal is "to assist individuals living in rural areas live meaningful and healthy lives." Education is extremely important to Lauren, as she is the first one in her family to graduate from college. She is currently serving an internship in Las Vegas, NV and will graduate in December 2010. Lauren has been a volunteer coach with the Gretna Special Strikers, young athletes with various disabilities, and is a Rehabilitation Technician at Alegent-Lakeside Hospital.