2006 recipients of the Vivian Shaver, Annie Demming, and Mat-Su Health Foundation Scholarships:

Wasilla, Alaska - The Valley Hospital Association, Inc. d.b.a. Mat-Su Health Foundation is honored to announce the 2006 recipients of the Vivian Shaver, Annie Demming, and Mat-Su Health Foundation Scholarships.

Vivian Shaver Scholarship Recipients

Palmer High School student Lauren Griese was awarded the $2000 Vivian Shaver Scholarship.  She will attend Montana State University’s nursing program in the fall.  When she obtains her degree as a registered nurse, she plans to return to the Mat-Su Valley with the goal of securing a position as an RN at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.  Lauren plans to assist school children by teaching them about healthy lifestyles.  She has completed the Certified Nurses’ Assistant course and just tested for her license.  She volunteered at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, the Pioneer Home and Providence Extended Care Center.  While attending Palmer High School she maintained a 3.979 GPA and a 3.959 GPA for BYU Correspondence classes.

Jaleen Bloomstrom was awarded the Vivian Shaver $3000 for 2006.  She is a Wasilla Lake Christian School high school graduate and is enrolled in the nursing program at Matanuska-Susitna College.  She was born in Alaska and has lived in the Mat-Su Valley her entire life.  She plans to settle in the Valley, raise a family and pursue a career in nursing.  Jaleen has been actively involved in the community with the student action leadership team, as a summer camp counselor and leader in training at Solid Rock Bible Camp, on the work crew for Solid Rock Bible Camp, numerous canned food drives for the Wasilla Food Pantry, work crew for Wasilla Bible Church’s GAP Group, a volunteer at Heart Reach Pregnancy Center, and Wasilla Lake Christian School’s 150 Bank Program.  Jaleen maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5.

Annie Demming Scholarship Recipient

Sarah Brettrager, previously a Colony High School student, was awarded the $2000 Annie Demming Scholarship.  Sarah is currently attending Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan and is enrolled in Medical Laboratory Science specializing in Nuclear Medicine.  After earning her degree she plans to return to Matanuska-Susitna Valley and work as a technologist. She would also like to become certified in other imaging modalities.  Through her volunteer work at Valley Hospital she has gained experience with patient contact and working in a radiology department.  Sarah was actively involved in the National Honors Society focusing on community service.  She is also involved with the Special Olympics Alaska, Camp Abilities, and Habitat for Humanity.  Her perseverance has earned her a 3.97 GPA. 

Michelle Hopkins is the $3,000 Annie Demming Scholarship Recipient for 2006.  She is a certified Nurse’s Aide at the Palmer Pioneer Home.  She is certified in CPR and first aid and in the process of recertifying.  Michelle is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in nursing and plans to continue with her Masters degree and eventually she would like to teach the art of Nursing.  Michelle is the mother of five children, with twins born in 2004.  She works full-time as a Certified Nurses Aide in the Palmer Pioneer and Veteran’s Home.  Despite all this, she has maintained a 3.41 GPA.  Born and raised in the Valley, she plans to raise her family and work here in the Matanuska Valley.

Mat-Su Health Foundation Scholarship Recipient

Cassandra Gourley was awarded the $5000 Mat-Su Health Foundation Scholarship.  She was born in Fairbanks, Alaska.  Cassandra attended Wasilla High School and is currently attending University of Alaska, Anchorage.  She is enrolled in the Bachelors Nursing Program and will begin classes in May 2006.  She plans to graduate in December 2007.  At that time, she will take the boards and get her RN degree.  She is planning to work in the Mat-Su Valley, eventually in pediatrics.  Cassandra worked for North Star Assisted Living as a caregiver for three years and is currently working for Northern Living Centers as a CNA for the elderly.  She has a cumulative GPA of 3.48.

The $2500 Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship recipients for 2006 were Natalie Beach and Paula Ahrens.

Paula Ahrens has been a resident of the Mat-Su Borough for 18 years and has lived in Alaska her entire life.  She is attending classes at the University of Alaska, Mat-Su and Anchorage campuses and is enrolled in pre-major radiology technology.  Her goal is to pursue a career as a Radiological Technologist, and to work in this field in the Mat-Su Borough.  Paula is married and is the mother of three children, works outside the home, volunteers extensively as a Board of Education member at her church, volunteers at the Mat-Su-Regional Medical Center Wasilla campus and at the Palmer Chamber of Commerce all while maintaining a 3.90 GPA.

A graduate of Colony High School, Natalie Beach is currently attending the University of Alaska, Anchorage and enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing Science Program.  Natalie is a lifelong Alaskan, born and raised in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley.  She plans to live in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough where she will apply the knowledge and expertise gained from her nursing studies to improve health care for Mat-Su Valley residents.  Her goal is to develop a system in which low income Valley residents can receive quality preventative health care inclusive of immunizations, screenings, treatment of hypertension, regular breast exams and prenatal care. Natalie’s resolve has earned her a 3.94 GPA.