“Scholarship program aimed at easing the financial burden of higher education for hometown healthcare heroes has extended its benevolence to six more Yavapai College nursing students.”

(The following is a press release from Yavapai Community College of February 3, 2023, authored by J.J. McCormick.) 

The latest cohort of Community Healthcare Scholars celebrated their awards Jan. 25 in the Yavapai College Foundation offices on the YC Prescott Campus. The spring 2023 recipients of the lucrative scholarship are: Katie Anderson, Sada Hendricks, Hailey Mayhan, Shannon Mayotte, Ryan Urban and Peyton Velasco.

The Community Healthcare Scholarship program is made possible by a consortium of philanthropic organizations and healthcare business entities in partnership with the Yavapai College Foundation.

Motivated by his own financial struggles as a medical student, retired physician Dr. David Hess of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Prescott established the scholarship for deserving nursing and radiology technology students in 2012. To date, the program has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to nearly 200 students who, upon graduation, serve on the healthcare frontlines in Yavapai County.

Along with the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Prescott and the YC Foundation, Community Healthcare Scholarship partners are the Margaret T. Morris Foundation, Dignity Health/Yavapai Regional Medical Center, the Harold James Family Trust, Prescott Radiology Group and Fain Signature Group.

The newest Community Healthcare Scholars were elated with their awards.

“Receiving the Community Healthcare Scholarship is an incredible blessing,” said Sada. “As a single mother, the financial challenges of inflation have been particularly difficult and I was afraid that my dream of becoming a nurse was out of reach. I’m so grateful to the donors who made the scholarship possible. It’s a wonderful gift not only to the recipients but also to the community that will benefit from more nurses to provide care in our local facilities.”

Katie said she will be “forever grateful” to Community Healthcare Scholarship donors. “Not having to find the money to pay for school when you already have to scrimp and save to make ends meet is a huge relief,” she said.

As valuable as the financial assistance is the confidence boost the scholarship provides, Katie said. “This is a scary process and it’s easy to doubt my abilities, so it is nice to have the backing of all those that picked mine out of the stack of applications.”

For Hailey, a nursing assistant at Yavapai Regional Medical Center, the Community HealthCare Scholarship means she can work less, study more and better afford her daily commute from Prescott to nursing school at the YC Verde Valley Campus. “With this opportunity, I am able to work part time, and fulfill my placement in the nursing program without the financial stress,” she said.

Administered by Yavapai Community College’s Foundation, the proceeds from the endowment will  help fund the educations of Haven Health Sedona employees and their family members pursuing healthcare careers through Yavapai Community College

Following a  tragic accident at the age of 25, Barbara Gehring was cared for by her biological kin and the nurses and staff at Haven Health Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sedona. Barbara lived at Haven Health Sedona for more than 25 years before passing away on Christmas Day 2020.

To honor Barbara and at the same time thank her Haven “family” for their caring and kindness, her brother, Douglas, of Mountain Home, Idaho, and mother, Gertrude, of Sedona, established the Barbara Gehring Endowed Scholarship with the Yavapai College Foundation. The initial contribution from the family was $202,000. 

Proceeds from the endowment will help fund the educations of Haven Health Sedona employees and their family members pursuing healthcare careers through Yavapai College.

You may read the full story about Barbara and this endowment, which appears in a Yavapai Community College press release of September 26 by J.J. McCormack, by clicking here. 

A number of restrictions placed on program including income level and enrolled in one of four identified courses of study (limited to available funds)

Yavapai Community College is offering to pay for childcare for some students as long as a number of restrictions are met, and the child is receiving care under a certified DES/DHS provider.  The program is available as long as the College has funding for it. 

There are several restrictions on the program.  A student must be going full-time and must be enrolled in Nursing, Nursing Intent, Early Childhood Education, or K-12 education programs.  A student’s income must be at or below 165% of the federal poverty level.  A family of four must not make more than $43,700 per year.

For more information about the program and additional restrictions, an interested student should contact  the  Parent Cohort Success Coach: sarah.marescialto@yc.edu.

Funds are provided by the  Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Prescott, which has raised over $1 million for Community Healthcare scholarships since it began the program ten years ago

The Yavapai Community College Foundation announced in a press release August 31 that ten nursing students and two Radiology students had been awarded Community Healthcare Scholarships for 2022.  Each student receives a full two-year scholarship in exchange for a commitment to graduate and share their newfound skills in Yavapai County. Yavapai Community College  Director of Nursing Dr. Marylou Mercado said that the “full scholarship allows students to complete their nursing degree tuition debt-free. [The students]  enter our community’s healthcare organizations, inspired and hopeful for a bright future.”

The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Prescott is responsible for raising the funds that support the healthcare scholarships. It began the program in 2012. 

The Jewish Community Foundation annually selects ten Nursing and two radiology students for the award.  This year the nursing students receiving the award were:   Ryan Allred, Leslie Bessert, Sarah C. Gregory, Jessica Guerrero, Samantha Imes, Taidyme Mae, Shannon Mitchell, Monet Newell, Jordan Rogers, and Anthony Rossano II.  Radiology students Esmeralda Ruiz Alvidrez and Quinci Youngblood also each received a scholarship.

You may read about the award ceremony where the scholarships were handed out by clicking here and going to the Community College press release authored by Michael Grady.

Future nurses receive $1,000 assistance each to encourage their continued leadership and participation in PTK programs

Vrindavan Silva of Cornville and Heidi Howden of Prescott were selected as 2022 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise scholars. The two Yavapai Community College Phi Theta Kappa members and Honors students were among a total of 207 Leaders of Promise selected from  1,300 applicants nationwide. Selection for these awards was based on academic achievement and demonstrated leadership potential.

Each student will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

You may read more about the awards and the two outstanding recipients in a Community College news release of August 25, 2022 authored by J.J. McCormack by clicking here.

Students who represent a variety of disciplines and five different campuses and centers awarded the prestigious All-Arizona Academic Team scholarship for 2021 | Two from the Verde Valley

Yavapai Community College announced in a January 14 press release that seven students representing a variety of disciplines and five different campuses and centers earned the prestigious All-Arizona Academic Team scholarship for 2021.

The transfer scholarship allows a Yavapai Community College student to transfer to an Arizona university of the student’s choice. The award is made to  students who are academically successful and excel outside the classroom by leading or participating in community service activities.

The following are the students awarded the honor, according to the press release.

Gabrielle Baker

“Brie” is a Prescott Campus performing arts student who plans to transfer to an Arizona university in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, with a concentration in performing arts. Her career goal is two-fold, both professional performance and art education. Brie was named YC’s Outstanding Student in the Performing Arts last year, is an Honors student and member of PTK. Her extra-curricular activities include serving as a living history interpreter at Sharlot Hall Museum, serving as president of YC’s performing arts club and acting in Shakespeare plays with Laark Productions.

Jennifer Bergstad

Jennifer graduated from YC’s nursing program in fall 2021. She studied nursing at YC’s Verde Valley Campus, where she served as the president of the Student Nurses Association. She plans to continue her nursing education at Arizona State University and ultimately become a psychiatric nurse practitioner in the Verde Valley. Jennifer was a member of the YC Students of Leadership 2021 cohort, was a member of PTK and was awarded the Jewish Community Foundation’s Pathways to Careers scholarship.

Anna Componovo

Anna is an animal science student at YC’s Chino Valley Agribusiness and Technology Center. She plans to transfer to the University of Arizona to pursue an agriculture degree with an equine emphasis. Her career goal is to be an equine nutritionist. Anna is a member of PTK and is a volunteer with Stepping Stones Agencies and Spring Ridge Academy. She is the recipient of the Deb McCasland Endowed Scholarship.

Justin Hysom-Call

A U.S. Navy veteran and Honors student, Justin is studying science at the YC Prescott Campus where he serves as a tutor in the Learning Center, is president of the Juggling Club, is a member of the PTK leadership team and PTK Honors in Action. He plans to continue his science studies at the University of Arizona Honors College. His career goal is to direct an independent research laboratory tackling marine rehabilitation and sustainability.

Erin Markham

Erin is a YC Verde Valley Campus Nursing student who is concurrently enrolled at Northern Arizona University and expects to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing this fall. She aspires to a career in geriatric care. Erin is the founder and president of the Yavapai College Love for Our Elders chapter. She is a member of PTK and serves on the chapter’s Fun Run marketing team. She volunteers with Student Nurses Association blood drives and was named to the YC President’s List.

Justin Ritzenthaler

Justin is a pre-engineering student at YC’s Career and Technical Education Center and a member of the College Honors Program. He plans to study aerospace engineering at ASU’s Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering. His career goal is to work for NASA or SpaceX. Among other activities, Justin is a member of PTK, lifeguards at the YC Pool and is an organizer of the college’s Fun Run scholarship fundraiser.

Paul Schachtner

A U.S. Coast Guard veteran, Paul studies unmanned aircraft systems at YC’s Career and Technical Education Center. He plans to transfer to ASU and study conservation science enroute to a career tackling drinking water sustainability. Paul teaches algebra at AAEC High School, coaches the school’s mountain bike team and is a Prescott Valley performing arts construction volunteer. He was named CTEC’s Most Outstanding Aviation student in 2021 and is a member of PTK.

Source:  Yavapai Community College Press release of January 14, 2022 authored by JJ McCormack.

Almost $40,000 in scholarships available to veterans as of 2021

S.E.E.4VETS, a veterans advocacy group based in Scottsdale, has created the S.E.E.4VETS Veteran Legacy Endowment with the Yavapai College Foundation. According to Jane Hersh, the Community College’s Director of Veterans Education and Transition Services, “Our partnership with S.E.E.4VETS has blossomed over the years and their support has grown to nearly $40,000 in scholarships to veterans at Yavapai College as of 2021.”

S.E.E.4VETS (an acronym for “Support Education and Employment for Vets,”) is an eight-year-old non-profit dedicated to helping veterans complete their education and find success in civilian life. Directed mostly by retired military members, S.E.E.4VETS works through community colleges in the Western United States to find transitioning military members that other programs might miss.

“We were looking for this niche where the veterans community was not being well-served. That’s where we thought we could help.” Lt. Gen (Retired) USAF Vern “Rusty” Findley, S.E.E.4VETS Board Vice Chair, explained. “We looked at the major universities and their [veterans] programs were pretty solid. But we did find some holes at the community college level. That’s where we zeroed in.”

Since  2012 the program has awarded more than $1 million in scholarship aid to 153  students

Yavapai Community College has announced that twelve nursing and radiology students have received Community Healthcare scholarships.  The program for students in these areas was established in 2012.  Since that time, more than $1 million in scholarships have been awarded to 153 students. This is on average about $6,500 per student.

According to the Community College press release, these scholarships are intended  to ensure aspiring nurses and “rad techs” are able to make good on their intentions and put their skills to work in the community.

Funds for the scholarships come from  the Community College Foundation, the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Prescott, Yavapai Regional Medical Center – Dignity Health, Margaret T. Morris Foundation, the Harold James Family Trust, Prescott Radiology and Fain Signature Group.

Congratulations to the students who received the scholarships. They are: 

Elizabeth Adame of Prescott (nursing)

 Cassandra Bailey of Cottonwood (nursing)

Sarah Chidgey of Prescott (nursing)

William Cooper of  Chino Valley (nursing)

Cheyene Gabbard of Prescott Valley (nursing)

Hailey Hanson of Prescott (nursing)

Sandra Hauptman of Prescott Valley (nursing)

Guadalupe Ocampo of Paulden (nursing)

Megan Palmer of Camp Verde (nursing)

Nicole Welker of Prescott  (nursing)

  Rachael Guidetti of Prescott (radiology)

 Kara Yazzie of Prescott Valley (radiology)

Source:  Yavapai Community College press release of 30 August 2021 by JJ McCormack.