ROCHELLE — Recipients of the 2024 Rochelle Community Hospital Auxiliary $1,000 healthcare scholarships have been announced. Five students received scholarships which included the Ward A. and Mabel T. Miller Award.
Congratulations to all of the recipients! They include:
Abby Lundquist
Recipient of the Ward A. & Mabel T. Miller Award
Abby, an alumnus of R.T.H.S. will graduate from St. Ambrose University with plans to attend SIU School of Medicine this fall to pursue a healthcare profession as a physician’s assistant. Ms. Van Hauen, her basketball coach shared, “Abby has the drive and intelligence to become a very successful physician assistant since she is certainly a dedicated leader.” Ms. Gonzales, Abby’s clinical mentor said, “While having Abby shadow in my clinic, she demonstrated empathy and impressive patient-provider connections during our short time together.”
Bailey Jackson
Bailey is currently a freshman at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She graduated last year from Rochelle Township High School. Bailey’s professional goal is to become a nurse practitioner in labor and delivery. Her English teacher, Ms. Fiala said, “Bailey’s passion for helping people makes her well suited for the healthcare field and I was impressed by her drive for success.” Bailey’s personal experience with her grandfather and his care inspired her to enter the healthcare field.
Alyssa Leary
Alyssa is a senior at Oregon High School and will attend Loyola University-Chicago this fall. Ultimately, she would like to become a board certified, practicing physician in a hospital setting. Alyssa’s Spanish teacher, Ms. Radostits stated, “Alyssa is a kind, compassionate and selfless individual. She demonstrates an innate ability to empathize with others and is always ready to offer her assistance.” After fulfilling her aspirations, Alyssa hopes to serve as a role model, specifically for young girls wanting to go into STEM so they are empowered to strive to achieve their own goals.
Kennedy Underwood
Kennedy is a current senior at Rochelle Township High School who plans to attend Northern Illinois University. Her goal is to obtain her nursing degree and then pursue becoming a nurse practitioner. Her science teacher, Mr. Baker, shared, “Kennedy has impressed me with her disposition for science and her ability to find success. She is a great student, hard work and perfect candidate for this scholarship.” Kennedy shared that her father’s career as a paramedic helped build her passion for the healthcare field.
Alexavier Villatoro
Alexavier is a senior at Rochelle Township High School. He plans to attend UIC Honors College this fall pursuing a career in nursing. Mr. Welle, Alexavier’s English teacher shared, “Alexavier is one of the most dedicated, organized and motivated students. He uses technology to his advantage, so much so that he has decided to devote his career to maximizing its uses for the benefit of others.” Alexavier shared, “By achieving a job as a nurse, I can have effective communication with patients to save more lives.”
