ALYSSA MURRAY
Alyssa Murray is one of these very deserving women awarded a $3000 scholarship to continue her quest for a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN).
Alyssa graduated from National Park College (NPC) in the spring of 2023 with an associate degree in nursing. She will be starting Henderson State University in the fall to pursue her BSN. Because her program is administered in conjunction with NPC, all her classes will be taken remotely online. If all goes as planned, she will graduate in 2024.
Working on her BSN is just part of Alyssa’s busy life. In addition to having three children ten years of age and under, she works full time (three 12-hour shifts) at the emergency room of Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. Talk about multitasking!
Plans after graduation include working to gain further nursing experience, and possibly working towards a master’s in nursing.
Alyssa’s desire to become a nurse was sparked by her daughter’s brush with death when she contracted Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) as a four-month-old baby. She was rushed to the hospital after stopping breathing. In Alyssa’s own words, “Watching the
nurses and other care staff save her that day inspired me to complete my goals so that I can be that person for someone else’s family one day.” The HS/HSV branch of AAUW is gratified to be able to assist Alyssa in meeting this goal.
HAILEY STAUDER
During her senior year at Lake Hamilton High School, Hailey Stauder was selected as a member of the National Park College Medical Profession Program and was, at the same time, an important part of Lake Hamilton’s student leadership group with her participation in choir and school musicals.
Inspired by her dedicated mother, Hailey has chosen to earn a professional degree in the medical field. Strong academic performance in high school AP classes and her college level achievements prepared her well for a six-year educational commitment. She will work toward an RN degree and then a BS in nursing, with a desire to enter the pediatric field.
This past summer, Hailey worked at CHI St. Vincent in Hot Springs as a patient care technologist, working the floor with 10-15 patients a day, meeting their medical and personal needs. Hailey says she has learned a great deal about time management but, most importantly, how to connect with people.
Hailey also likes to stay busy outside the classroom and medical facilities. She enjoys reading, especially fiction but also educational books, hiking outdoors with her younger, “sidekick” brother, and any activity that puts her on the lake. Hailey has always participated in her church, both in the choir and with youth activities, helping out where her time permits.
She sees nursing as her ministry. Always going above and beyond, Hailey exhibits compassion for the patients she has worked with and in the classroom she is always engaged and ready to take on the next challenge. Hailey is described as patient, and a true giver who can be both empathetic and sympathetic to the needs of others. But when you ask Hailey to describe herself, she states her strength is in “just being myself”.
LESLIE HUGGS
Leslie Huggs plans to seek a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy at National Park College.
While attending school, Leslie is working at Arkansas Children’s Hospital as a respiratory technician. “I always knew that I would like to go into the medical field but was not sure what area,” said Leslie. And then she found respiratory therapy. Her family had been affected by C.O.P.D., so she became acutely aware of the importance of respiratory therapy. She found that she enjoyed helping and caring for people. This specialized curriculum can be difficult if you do not have the drive to succeed. The women of AAUW recognized how dedicated Leslie is to her career choice and awarded her a scholarship.
Leslie is an outdoors enthusiast and loves to spend free time hiking and playing with her dog.
This branch of AAUW has awarded scholarships for many years, thanks to the support from Hot Springs Village and the former annual used book sale. That fundraiser was successful for many years, which allowed endowed scholarships to be funded. New fundraisers have kept up the pace to support NPC students.
Each applicant is selected based on grades (at least a 3.0 average) and interviews with the committee.
SONIA LOPEZ
“It is so fulfilling to help,” says Sonia Lopez, one of the 2023 recipients of an American Association of University Women (AAUW) scholarship.
Sonia will attend National Park College this fall and take business classes. She plans to turn this into a bachelor’s degree by partnering with the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Some of her classes are online and some are on campus at National Park.
Sonia has been living a life of helping. She graduated from Kirby High School in 2012, knowing she was interested in health care and earning an Associate of Applied Sciences degree from National Park. This led her on the path to begin as a clerk at Glenwood’s Woodard Drug. She is currently a pharmacy technician there. She is able to use her bilingual skills to help the Hispanic population.
What about the business degree? While working in the pharmacy, Sonia has been learning the business side of her daily tasks. What is ahead? Sonia would like to have her own business – maybe it will incorporate her love for exercise and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
AAUW is happy to help Sonia as she learns and moves forward while her focus remains on helping others.
SUMMER WILLIAMS
Both her former professors and employers have said Summer is a good teammate, is very professional, an enthusiastic participant, and that she exhibits a positive attitude. Further, she is self-confident and self-motivated, a young woman who works diligently toward her goals.
To that end, she worked part time at CHI St. Vincent as a PCT (patient care technician) while attending National Park College full time. Busy as she is, Summer maintains a 3.9 GPA and has been on the President’s List at NPC every semester.
She will graduate in May 2024 with an associate degree in health services administration and an associate degree in business administration. She is also working toward an associate degree in nursing, which she will complete in 2025.
Recently, Summer began working for Main Street Health as a health care navigator. In this role she explains Medicare and Medicaid benefits to people who are qualified. She loves helping people in this way and may pursue additional course work in this field.
Summer is completely independent and is paying her own living and academic expenses. In her limited free time, Summer does container gardening and this season was successful in harvesting a pineapple! She also likes to dabble with arts and crafts projects, but finding free time is a challenge.
Summer looks forward and focuses on building her career. AAUW is proud to help her along the way!
ALLEYA GREGORY
Aleeya Gregory recently graduated from National Park College (NPC) with an Associate of Science in Elementary Education K-6. The scholarship will be of assistance in her transfer to Henderson State University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, starting fall of 2022. There is no doubt that she will successfully graduate in 2024, since she graduated from NPC with a 4.0 grade point average while working and helping raise her two younger siblings!
The desire to teach is deep-seated. Aleeya’s second grade teacher’s helpfulness and personal interest made a strong impression on her. Aleeya stated that she “adored” and wanted to “be just like her” former teacher. Additionally, Aleeya’s grandfather taught construction technology. She would accompany him to classes and think, “I’m going to do that.” During her junior year at Lakeside High School, she was able to experience teaching in a classroom.
Longer range plans for Aleeya center on earning a master’s degree in library science, and then working in a library in the elementary school arena. Her library interest also has been long ingrained. Her grandfather took an excited Aleeya to the library every weekend. While at Cutter Morning-Star High School for her senior year, she had the opportunity to be a library aide daily during her free periods of time. She enjoyed helping younger students explore the library and was inspired by their enthusiasm. She continued to pursue her interest in library science by working as a library technician at NPC. She feels that the aide position “helped me tremendously” In preparing for a career in library science and/or teaching.
AURA LOARCA
Aura, a student who did not really like school, has been inspired by watching her two sisters and the sacrifices they made to get an education. After working so her two sisters were able to focus on their education, Aura finally decided it was time for her to fulfill her dream of becoming an RN. With two small children – ages 3 and 4 – and a full-time job as a medical assistant, Aura has carried a 4.0 GPA for the last 3 semesters and intends to keep working hard to maintain her grades.
Aura has been employed at Genesis Cancer Center as a medical assistant for the last 3 years. She describes her job there as gratifying and compassionate. As she progressed there, she came to think that if she became a registered nurse, she would be better able to help her patients going through chemotherapy.
As you can see, Aura believes that education is essential and is working on showing her kids that even nontraditional students can be successful no matter the obstacles. She has been and will continue to juggle being a mom, employee and student until she graduates with her Associate of Science degree in May of 2024.
JAMIE WALSH
Jamie graduated from Mountain Pine High School, where she was an honor student. She continues her academic accomplishments at National Park College as a vocal music education major, maintaining a 3.9 GPA. Jamie is not only a good student but, according to two of her professors, she has a musical talent in voice and piano, with an excellent work ethic. She has a desire to never dwell on negativity and a willingness to meet life’s challenges.
Jamie tries to be a positive person, using daily affirmations as well as acceptance of herself. She lives with her father, grandmother and a younger sister. In addition to her studies, she works part time as a waitress. While she is the third female in her family to attend college, Jamie would like to be the first to go on to earn both a master’s degree and a doctorate. To that end, she will be transferring to Arkansas Tech in the fall.
She dreams to teach someday at the collegiate level to impact students with the joy of music. Jamie would like to build a music department in a high school to inspire young people to appreciate and learn more about music. She believes that education should be available to all and that a good education helps individuals to think for themselves and to recognize the need for diversity. The women of AAUW are happy to help Jamie toward her goals.
JINNIE WINCHELL
This extremely busy young woman has recently graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) from National Park College and is starting the LPN to RN program – an accelerated educational path that builds on the education and experience gained in the LPN program to jumpstart the coursework required to become a registered nurse.
In addition to attending school, Winchell works as a hair designer, takes care of four children and various family members, and has just started a job as an LPN in geriatrics. She is also interested in languages and said that learning sign language is her next goal and, “after that, Spanish.”
Winchell became interested in the medical profession after years of being a caregiver to members of her family. Both her husband and father had cancer; her husband also suffers from chronic Crohn’s disease and has had multiple surgeries; and her mother-in-law has diabetes. Even her youngest child had to have surgery when she was two months old. “I just want to give back my knowledge, and I believe I can care for others the way I would want for my family,” she said.
Winchell is planning to go into geriatric or medical-surgery nursing (the care of patients either preparing for or recovering from surgery). She is also interested in joining a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) but has not found opportunities yet.
Once she starts the RN program, she will probably be participating in internships or clinical work. She said, “When opportunities pop up, I am willing to go for it.”
That statement sums up the can-do attitude of this young woman, and AAUW is proud to help her achieve her goals.
LESLIE HUGGS
Leslie Huggs was a graduate of Benton High School in 2019. She has a license in cosmetology, but life events led her to pursue a career in respiratory care and she hopes to eventually transfer to UAMS College of Health Professions to earn a bachelor’s degree. She is currently enrolled at National Park College.
Leslie enjoyed five years on her high school dance team and the leadership role she had while on the team. She will continue to be on the NPC cheer team in the fall. In addition to the cheer team, she will also be secretary for NPC Student Government Activities, and she described this organization as one that represents the voice of the student body. She also has a part-time job at NPC.
Leslie is taking three classes at NPC this summer, which will make her eligible for the respiratory therapy program in the fall, and it will result in her graduation from National Park College in 2023, a year earlier than originally planned.
Leslie’s interest in respiratory care was a result of the years of COVID 19, and the failing health of her father and mother. She observed the excellent care her father received during his hospitalization in 2020, and she was inspired to change her career plans to something that focused on health services. In spite of the health issues her parents are experiencing, they are able to focus on, and be very supportive of, Leslie and her educational pursuits; she currently carries a 4.0 GPA.
In addition to her dance and cheer team interests, Leslie also enjoys hiking and camping with family.
NATALIE LAMBERT
This is the teacher you want for your kids! Natalie Lambert is passionate about education. She wants to learn everything so she can bring the best to her future elementary school students. Her 3.7 GPA, as an honor student, attests to her intellectual abilities and points to her love of learning. Natalie consistently makes the President’s List and the Dean’s List.
Two very pivotal events shaped Natalie’s path to a career in teaching.
First, her 4th grade teacher became her role model when she helped Natalie overcome some reading difficulties. Mrs. Kristen Gordon, now a principal, understood what the problem was, and devoted one-on-one time to help Natalie in reading comprehension. Natalie says that Mrs. Gordon’s hands-on approach opened up a new way of looking at reading and now a new way of teaching – one that she would like to emulate.
Natalie was fortunate to participate in a Lakeside Senior High program, “Orientation to Teaching” It was during this time, by observing the children, assisting the teacher, and even grading papers, that she not only knew that she truly wanted to be a teacher, but also what kind of teacher she wanted to be: open, and close to her students.
As a realistic person, Natalie took on a job at National Park College as a library technician to help pay the tuition and has applied to many scholarship programs, student aid and student loans. However, she always makes time to volunteer to tutor other students. The AAUW scholarship will help pay for tuition at the University of Central Arkansas, where Natalie will pursue a Bachelor’s in Science degree (BS), in elementary education.
NOVA OLOSAN
Nova Olosan is a student at National Park College, seeking a degree in Nursing. After moving to the United States to be with family, Nova discovered her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Santo Tomas in Philippines did not transfer to the United States. She was not deterred in her desire to succeed.
Nova has demonstrated a desire to expand her knowledge while serving others. She works with First Step providing day to day care to Adults with Development Disabilities. In her position, Nova is responsible for maintaining a healthy, safe, and therapeutic environment for individuals and documenting their progress. She is also serving an internship with Abilities Unlimited in Hot Springs. Nova has demonstrated positive, prompt, and reliable attitude. She has worked with Philippines Red Cross Youth Council, Christ Youth in Action Service Council, and American Association of University Women Junior Chapter
YOLONZA FORD
Having received her associate’s degree from National Park College, Yolonza is now working on her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas in Ft. Smith, graduating in May 2023. Yolonza was first inspired by her police officer grandfather, who encouraged her to follow her interest in the justice system. During this summer, she is working as an intern with the HS Police Department, where her inspiring grandfather served.
Following her graduation next year, Yolonza will work with the Houston Forensic Center in Houston, Texas. She will be assigned first to a 13-week academy program in Oakridge, Tennessee, and will then return to Houston. Yolonza maintains a grade point average over 3.0 and frequents the Dean’s List. During her educational program she was selected to participate in a program called the National Society of Leadership and Success. Through this program she participated in training broadcasts led by experienced national leaders, including, among many others, Presidents Obama and Bush, Mark Cuban and Deepak Chopra. She was able to engage with other young leaders across the country, learning how to engage with a peer group as well as completing a journal documenting her progress and goals. She was awarded the Foundations of Leadership certification.
Yolonza has a true passion for social justice and advocacy. She has already made significant contributions in community service work and maintains a fierce determination to succeed. Respectful, empathetic and hardworking, Yolonza lives by her personal belief that every finish line is the beginning of a new race