Six area residents have received the 1999 Health Education Scholarship sponsored by St. Michael's Associates.
The $1,000 and $500 scholarships are awarded annually to individuals who are pursuing careers in a health-related field. Recipients are chosen based on their scholastic achievements, extracurricular activities, community involvement, volunteer service, strong career motivation and personal recommendation.
The six recipients of this year's award include $1,000 scholarships to Aisha David, Stevens Point, and Laura K. Henn, Columbus; and $500 scholarships to Tracy Konopacky, Stevens Point; Erin E. Lemieux, Reedsburg; Myra Ligman, Plover; and Kari Paulson, Stevens Point.
Money for the annual scholarship program is raised through the sale of Portage County commemorative afghans, available through SEASONS Cafe & Gift Shop in St. Michael's Hospital. The afghans, which depict the history of the area and feature many of the community's key attractions, sell for $45 and are available for year-round gift giving.
Henn, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, is pursuing a degree in biology with an emphasis in medicine. At UW-SP, Henn has served as vice president for the Pre-Med and Allied Health Society, actively participated in the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society and the UW-SP Student Health Advisory Committee and volunteered at St. Michael's Hospital.
She maintains a 3.87 grade point average and has received the Dean's Distinguished Achievement Award two years in a row. She is currently completing an independent biological project, with Dr. Edward Gasque, entitled "Gene Cloning/Southern Blotting Techniques."
Lemieux, a UW-SP senior who will graduate in December 1999 with a degree in health promotion and wellness, is a volunteer in St. Michael's cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation department. In addition to her community involvement, Lemieux has served on the Student Health Advisory Committee at UW-SP for the past two years and has worked as a lifestyle assistant through the University Student Health Services.
Her grade point average of 3.99 attracted the attention of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard University, which has offered her an internship at The Be Well Center for Health Management in Boston. This scholarship will allow Lemieux the financial opportunity to pursue her internship invitation.
David is a May graduate graduate of Stevens Point Area Senior High School who is attending UW-Madison this fall, pursuing a degree in medicine. A National Honor Society student, David was involved with a number of activities while attending SPASH, including the student health assistant
Program, Key Club, track & field and Sexual Assault Victims Services.
As a volunteer at St. Michael's Hospital and observer of health care providers at Rice Medical Center, David was able to witness first-hand the skills necessary for a job in the field of medicine. In addition to St. Michael's Associate Scholarship, she is a recipient of the National Achievement Scholarship.
Konopacky is also a May graduate of SPASH who will be attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities this fall. Konopacky is an active volunteer in both her high school and community, giving her time to various organizations through SPASH Key Club.
In addition, she has volunteered with St. Michael's Hospital in the physical therapy department and as a hospital-wide escort. These volunteer experiences, coupled with a high grade point average, have encouraged her to pursue a degree in physical therapy.
Ligman graduated from Pacelli High School in May and is pursuing a vocational rehabilitation degree at UW-Stout this fall. While attending Pacelli High School, Ligman served as a peer educator. As a trained educator, she educated fellow students about the health-related issues surrounding AIDS, tobacco and alcohol use and other potentially harmful behaviors.
In addition to the peer educator program, she volunteered for Special Olympics Wisconsin, American Red Cross and SADD. Having experienced through her friendships with special needs people, she is anxious to begin her education in this field, so she can spread joy to others in need.
Paulson, a May SPASH graduate with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, plans to attend St. Olaf College in Minnesota this fall, where she will pursue a degree in biology with emphasis in pre-med.
While attending SPASH, Paulson completed training in life-saving courses and received CPR certification, which she then applied to the school's health office where she worked as a student.
Additional volunteer experiences include SPASH Key Club and St. Michael's Hospital. Paulson was also actively involved in cross country, track & field and Adventure Club and was inducted into the National Honor Society.
Scholarships for 2000 will be available in January and due by April 1, 2000. Those interested in more information about the scholarship program can contact Phyllis Devlin, director of St. Michael's Foundation, at 346-5337.