The Visiting Nurses Foundation will award a total of $23,250 of its annual scholarship awards to support local students pursuing careers in health care.
These scholarships are a reflection of the foundation’s ongoing mission to fund education and assistance for Home Health and Hospice patients and their families.
Each scholarship recipient demonstrated not only academic excellence but a deep sense of purpose, a desire to care for others, strengthen communities and make a lasting impact in the lives of patients and families, according to a Visiting Nurses Foundation news release.
The following Centralia College students received $2,000 scholarships:
• Gwen Spencer — Spencer is deeply passionate about hospice care and has a long-standing dream of serving patients at the end of life with dignity and comfort.
• Brookelynn King — King’s vision is to become a registered nurse and bring compassionate, hands-on care to those in need, particularly in underserved areas.
• Sarah Longe — Inspired by her own family’s experiences, Longe is committed to pursuing hospice nursing to ensure families receive the care and empathy they deserve.
• Stephanie Offner — Offner aims to become a hospice nurse, driven by a calling to offer peace and support to patients and families navigating life’s final chapter.
The following local students earned $1,000 scholarships:
• Andrea Beresford, Centralia College — Enrolled in the registered nurse program, Beresford is driven to be the kind of nurse who brings both clinical excellence and emotional support to every patient encounter.
• Payton Baumel, Centralia College — Baumel has a strong desire to become a registered nurse who advocates for patient care and contributes to improving community health.
• Jennifer Sappington, Centralia College — Sappington’s goal is to become a registered nurse known for patient advocacy and empowering others through education and empathy.
• Elayni Nguyen, Centralia College — Nguyen dreams of becoming a flight nurse, using her skills in high-pressure environments to save lives in critical moments.
• Molly Williams, Centralia College — Williams’ goal is to serve as a registered nurse who builds strong patient relationships and contributes meaningfully to team-based care.
• Emma Stewart, Centralia College — Inspired by caring for her grandfather, Stewart is pursuing nursing to give others the same heartfelt support she offered her family.
• Julia Dalan, University of Portland — Dalan plans to earn a degree in biomedical science and become a physician’s assistant, blending clinical precision with her love for helping others. Dalan’s award was presented at the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce’s Rob Fuller 25 x 25 Scholarship Luncheon.
• Camila Garibay, Centralia College — Already a certified nursing assistant, Garibay is continuing her education to become a registered nurse and improve patient care for vulnerable populations.
The following local students received $750 scholarships:
• Amanda Masters, Centralia College — Masters is studying to become a medical assistant and hopes to be a dependable, trusted part of a patient’s care team.
• Kezra Smith, Centralia College — Nursing has been Smith’s dream since childhood. Her goal is to become a nurse who leads with heart and provides stability in uncertain times.
• Brynn Williams, Central Washington University — Williams is studying pre-med and aspires to be a physician serving in rural communities where access to care is limited.
• Makaylyn Dotson, Centralia College — Dotson is enrolled in the registered nurse program and hopes to work in pediatrics, where she can support children and families during health challenges.
The following Centralia College students earned $500 scholarships:
• RaeAnne Hanson — Hanson’s goal is to become a registered nurse specializing in community and preventative care, improving long-term health outcomes.
• Austyn Laufenberg — Laufenberg is passionate about working in critical care or the emergency room, where fast thinking and steady hands save lives every day.
• Addison Froschauer — Froschauer’s empathy and passion for helping others have led her to pursue nursing with a focus on patient-centered care.
• Devin Pagan — Pagan is on the path to becoming a registered nurse and hopes to create a safe, comforting environment for patients and their families.
The following local students received $250 scholarships:
• Valerie Varner, Columbia College — Varner has dreamed of becoming a nurse at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she can combine compassion and skill to support young patients and their families.
• Jainah Johnson-Williams, Midway University — Johnson-Williams plans to become a travel trauma nurse, bringing life-saving care to patients across the country and helping those in high-risk situations.
“These students embody the heart of healthcare. Their stories, dedication and drive inspire us,” Jacki Jewell, executive director of the Visiting Nurses Foundation, said in the news release. “We are honored to play a part in their educational journey and excited to see the impact they will have in the lives of others.”
