Valley Hospital awards scholarships

Frontiersman staff

Four Valley students awarded a total of $10,000

PALMER — Four Valley students got big helps with their college tuition through scholarship programs from Valley Hospital Association.

VHA awards several scholarships each year to Valley students interested in furthering their education. This year, $10,000 was awarded by VHA.

Michelle Russell, April Laliberte, David Vereide and Krystal Ressler were awarded scholarships by VHA.

Russell was awarded a $3,000 Annie Demming scholarship. As a student at Palmer High School, Russell has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, while being active in a number of organizations, including Business Professionals of America; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; Skills USA/VICA; Model U.N.; and DECA. Since the sixth grade, she has wanted to become a molecular biologist.

Laliberte, who was awarded a $3,000 Vivian Shaver scholarship, is a senior at Burchell High School and has also maintained a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.

While in high school, Laliberte kept two part-time jobs, while still volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club and the Valley Women's Resource Center.

Laliberte has also participated in peer groups aimed at making correct decisions for a positive live. She said she wants to become an obstetrician/gynecologist or a neonatal nurse.

Vereide was awarded a $2,000 Annie Demming scholarship. He is a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and is pursuing a degree in biology.

Vereide said he wants to enroll in a physician's assistant program at a medical school, and then someday return to the Valley in the medical field.

Vereide currently is employed with the Alzheimer's Association, serving as a respite worker in the Valley.

Ressler, a 4.0 student from Wasilla High School, was awarded a $2,000 Vivian Shaver scholarship.

Ressler said she plans to attend the University of Alaska Anchorage in preparation for entering the medical field as a nurse practitioner.

While in high school, Ressler assisted the school nurse at Snowshoe Elementary; worked on committees to better the environment; volunteered at a local church; and volunteered at Providence Alaska Medical Center's emergency room.