Columbus Community Hospital Grants Scholarships to Area Students
Columbus Community Hospital recently announced the winners of its 2025 scholarships. Fourteen local students received $7,300 to further their educations.
Below is a list of the scholarship winners:
CCH Foundation scholarship: Brianne Kuhr of Clarkson is the $500 CCH Foundation scholarship winner.
Kuhr is a 2025 Leigh Community Schools graduate who also works at RedStar in Leigh and as a lifeguard. She has accomplished several achievements, including many with the Leigh Future Farmers of America (FFA), such as chapter historian for 2022-23, vice president for 2023-25, 2021 creed speaking district champion, 2022 junior public speaking state qualifier, 2023 & 2024 agricultural demonstration district champion, 2023-24 state FFA gold agricultural demonstration, and 2024 extemporaneous speaking district champion. She also achieved awards such as 2021 NSAA State Play Production Top Actress award, 2024 Best Lead Performer East Husker Conference Play Production, 2024 NSAA Stare Play Production Top Performer award. She was a part of the Leigh Youth Advisory Committee; earned fourth place at the 2024 NSAA Class D1 Speech in extemporaneous speaking; was letter winner in speech, play production, track and field, journalism, golf and band; was Academic All-State in golf, play production and speech; was the 2023 Northeast Community College Scholastic Day biology champion; served as class president for five years; and was Leigh High School’s 2023-24 Student of the Year. Kuhr lends much of her time volunteering with the FFA on various projects, with Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) on volunteer projects, and working with her church, St. Mary’s, and its youth advisory committee. She plans to enroll at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, to work toward a doctorate of pharmacy. Kuhr’s parents are Russ and Beth Kuhr of Leigh.
CCH high school student scholarship: Isabelle Arguello of Shelby is the $300 CCH high school student scholarship winner.
Arguello is a 2025 Lakeview High School graduate and a lifeguard at the Columbus Family YMCA. She received her certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification in July 2024; acquired Basic Life Support CPR/AED and participated in Stop the Bleed training courses; earned a varsity letter in cheer two years in a row, followed by achieving the highest level of high school cheer, All-American, in 2023-24; lettered in track two years in a row; received a varsity letter in bowling; was the chapter secretary for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA); and medaled at all powerlifting competitions she participated in, and was on the varsity roster in 2024 and 2025. She plans to enroll at Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln, Nebraska, this fall to pursue a future in nursing. Arguello’s parents are Rebecca and Miguel Arguello of Shelby.
Dallmont J. and Bernadine Erickson memorial scholarship: Piper Liebig of Columbus is the $500 2025 Dallmont J. and Bernadine Erickson memorial scholarship winner.
Liebig currently works at the hospital as a certified nursing assistant in its senior behavioral health unit. She is 2025 Lakeview High School graduate. Liebig plans to continue her education at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, this fall to obtain her pre-nursing degree. She is the daughter of Chad and Lindsey Liebig of Columbus.
The William and Barbara Gerhold scholarship: Camryn Koch of Platte Center is the recipient of the $500 2025 William and Barbara Gerhold scholarship.
Koch is a current student at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. She has worked as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Brookstone Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation. She also organized blood drives; participated in Lead4Change, the largest, privately-funded student leadership program with a framework for community service; and volunteered at Ridgewood Nursing and Rehabilitation. Koch has achieved honor roll and CNA certification, and is a Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint specialist. She plans to continue her education at Concordia majoring in nursing. Her parents are Merin and Joel Koch of Columbus.
The George Prochaska scholarships:
Grissy Vachal and Kaylie Blahak of Columbus are the recipients of the $500 2025 George Prochaska scholarships through the CCH Foundation.
Vachal works at the hospital as a licensed practical nurse for the senior behavioral health unit. In her first year at Clarkson College, she received the Excellence scholarship. Vachal plans to continue her education at Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska, to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Her husband is Trentin Vachal of Columbus.
Blahak is a 2025 graduate of Lakeview High School. She is very active with her work and volunteer experience outside of school, as she has worked at Juice Stop in 2022-23, and currently works at Starbucks and Brookstone Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation. She has also organized a food drive and volunteered with the Orphan Grain Train. Blahak uses much of her time for activities outside of school such as volleyball, track, bowling, student council, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship for Christian Athletes, Culture Club and church youth group. She has received honors as bowling district runner-up, and is certified in Microsoft Office Word. Blahak plans to attend Northeast Community College in Norfolk to study nursing. Her parents are Jeremy Blahak and Holly and Ryan Jareske of Columbus.
Eagles scholarship awarded: Aubree Beiermann is the winner of the $1,000 2025 Eagles radiological scholarship.
Beiermann is a 2025 graduate of Scotus Central Catholic High School. She has accomplished many achievements, including Academic All-Conference from 2022-24. She also lends time volunteering and working at the Columbus Area Children’s Museum, Tropical Smoothie Café and the City of Columbus in the parks and recreation department. Beiermann offers time to Girl Scouts, National Honor Society and Health Occupation Students of America. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the pre-radiology program. Her parents are Becky and Tony Beiermann of Columbus.
HDR scholarship:
Sadie Robinson of Columbus is the recipient of the $500 2025 HDR scholarship through the CCH Foundation.
Robinson is a 2025 graduate of Lakeview High School. She plans to be a student in the nursing program at Central Community College in Columbus. Robinson’s career goal is to receive her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree and continue to care for people.
Deb Kessler memorial scholarship: Kamryn Jaeger is the recipient of the $500 Deb Kessler memorial scholarship.
Jaeger is a current student of Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska. She has accomplished several achievements, including Peru State College President’s List, Peru State RHOP scholarship, Donna Wasco Memorial scholarship, Red Cross blood drive leader scholarship, top 10% in her class throughout high school, and Academic All-Conference award throughout high school. She is also a lifeguard supervisor at Columbus Aquatics Center and Pawnee Plunge and a CNA at Prestige Care Center of Nebraska City. She is part of Red Cross blood drives, highway trash pick-up, bake sales, Omaha Against Hunger food bag filling, Habitat for Humanity and Night to Shine. Jaeger lends time volunteering at food pantries, kids’ volleyball and soccer camps, and other community service projects. She plans to continue her education at Peru State College to pursue her Bachelor of Science in nursing. Her parents are Josh and Tammy Jaeger of Columbus.
Robert and Verdella Emerson scholarship: Kaileigh Delano and Adamaris Torres of Columbus are both recipients of the $500 Robert and Verdella Emerson scholarship.
Delano is a current student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She has accomplished several achievements, including being a member of Gamma Phi Beta and on the Sammy’s Superheroes UNL junior board of directors, and is currently certified as a CNA. Delano plans to continue with her pre-nursing degree, with goals to receive her Bachelor of Science in nursing at UNL. Her parents are Jeff and Amanda Delano of Columbus.
Torres is a 2025 graduate of Lakeview High School and works at Emerald Nursing and Rehab. She plans to enroll at University of Nebraska-Lincoln to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Her parents are Amelia Cervantes and Jose Torres of Columbus.
Charles and Myrna Meyer memorial scholarship: Makara Beringer is the recipient of the $500 Charles and Myrna Meyer memorial scholarship endowment.
Beringer is a 2025 graduate of Columbus High School. She has accomplished several achievements, including A-Honor Roll; National Honor Society; varsity award letter; financial literacy certificate; Academic Excellence award; Academic All-Conference for cheer and tennis; letter in cheer, tennis and band; All-American nominee in cheer; and All-American in cheer. She has also lent time volunteering as a VolunTEEN and with Cloud9, trash and recycling pick-up, Taste of Columbus, blood drives, Shoe Day at Lynette’s Dance Studio, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Trunk or Treat event and many church activities. She plans to continue her education at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, this fall to obtain her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. She is the daughter of Heather and Ryan Beringer of Columbus.
Richard and Judy Temme scholarship: Alayna Carey is the $500 Richard and Judy Temme scholarship winner.
Carey is a 2025 graduate of Fullerton Public School. Carey has received a number of achievements including honor roll, Roll of Excellence, honor band and honor choir. She has also been a member of the St. Peter’s Catholic Church’s lawn care, cleaning and catechesis program. Carey plans to continue her education by attending Central Community College in Columbus to obtain her degree in radiology. Her parents are Mike and Andrea Carey of Fullerton.
Joe Barbaglia Memorial scholarship: Brenden Sloup of Columbus is the recipient of the $500 Joe Barbaglia Memorial scholarship.
Sloup is a current student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He has accomplished several achievements, including UNK Dean’s list for fall 2023, spring & fall 2024; President’s list at Central Community College enrolled full-time in high school and while at Central Community College; Sigma Phi Epsilon new member of the year; Greater Omaha Area Youth Leadership Award; and Destination Imagination Global da Vinci Award for ingenuity. Sloup volunteers his time at many community activities, including UNK Big Event, TOPSoccer, Destination Downtown Philanthropy, Muscular Dystrophy Association, KRMC hospital volunteer, volunteer research in the biology department looking at combating staphylococcusaureaus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infections of surgical implants, Kearney Health Opportunity Program (KHOP), Sigma Phi Epsilon vice president, Health Sciences club, UNK women’s basketball practice team, peer health educator, Loper Programming and Activities Council, and Student Government Senator. He plans to continue at the University of Nebraska at Kearney to receive his pre-medicine degree, which will be a Bachelor of Science in health science with a health care management and mental health minors. His parents are Mike and Sheila Sloup of Columbus.
Cori Fullner, executive director of the CCH Foundation, said she is thankful these opportunities are available for area youth.
“The Columbus Community Hospital Foundation has been fortunate to have generous donors establish scholarships to help those who are furthering their education,” Fullner said. “We are hopeful that the scholarship recipients will then consider Columbus Community Hospital as their career choice after college. Our hospital and community are continually growing, so the opportunities are endless.”
Melinda Allen, employment and education coordinator at CCH, said the CCH Foundation scholarships honor a legacy, remembering loved ones and ensuring future generations receive the gift of care.
“These scholarships recognize exceptional students in our community, encouraging them to use their talents to help others,” Allen said. “The health care field offers many opportunities for fulfillment and growth. We congratulate the recipients and look forward to their future successes.”
Columbus Community Hospital VolunTEEN program scholarships were also awarded to the following recipients:
$750 scholarship to Makara Beringer of Columbus High School.
$750 scholarship to Hailey Kropatsch of Columbus High School.
$750 scholarship to Hannah Kropatsch of Columbus High School.
$750 scholarship to Rebecca Policky of Scotus Central Catholic High School.
$750 scholarship to Lauren Vasicek of Columbus High School.
“We are thrilled to offer scholarships to graduating VolunTEENs,” said Angie Ramaekers, director of volunteer and guest services. “Since beginning the VolunTEEN scholarship program in 2018, each year we are proud to recognize the achievements of these students.”
For more information on scholarships awarded through the hospital and foundation, visit columbushosp.org.