Columbus Community Hospital Awards Scholarships To Area Students
Columbus Community Hospital recently announced the winners of its 2023 scholarships. Twelve local students received $6,300 to further their educations.
Below is a list of the scholarship winners:
CCH Foundation scholarship: Jenna Banahan of Schuyler is the $500 CCH Foundation scholarship winner.
Banahan works at the hospital as a registered nurse in the outpatient surgery and maternal child health departments. She is a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner program student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha. Banahan plans to continue her education at UNMC this fall in the nurse practitioner program. Her career goal is to become a women's health care provider and work with the younger generation in her community to guide them in preventative health measures.
CCH high school student scholarship: Elizabeth Brezenski of Columbus is the $300 CCH high school student scholarship winner.
Brezenski is a 2023 Scotus Central Catholic High School graduate, where she received academic all-state, A-honor roll, Heisman High School scholarship winner for Scotus Central Catholic, all-state in soccer and athlete of the week. She was a member of the hospital's volunTEEN program, Youth Leadership Columbus, HOSA, National Honor Society and Godteens Youth Program. She plans to enroll at the College of Saint Mary this fall to pursue a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Brezenski’s parents are Jon and Kristie Brezenski of Columbus.
Dallmont J. and Bernadine Erickson memorial scholarship: Zander Kavan of Shelby is the $500 2023 Dallmont J. and Bernadine Erickson memorial scholarship winner.
Kavan is a 2023 graduate of Aquinas Catholic High School. He has been involved in concerts, marching and jazz band, soul club and track. He also was a National Honor Society member, on the honor roll, class president, and involved in football, where he was co-captain and academic all-state, and wrestling, where most recently, he was the senior captain and the individual state runner-up. He volunteers to help with youth Monarch Wrestling Club events and youth Monarch football camps. He plans to enroll in the University of Nebraska at Omaha and UNMC College of Nursing this fall to pursue a Bachelor of Science in nursing. His parents are M. Corey and Jennifer Kavan of Shelby.
The William and Barbara Gerhold scholarship: Heather Roberts of Osceola is the recipient of the $500 2023 William and Barbara Gerhold scholarship.
Roberts works at the hospital as a licensed professional nurse, a surgical scheduler, and a preoperative nurse for the Columbus Surgery Center. This fall, she will be a student at the Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing in Omaha and plans to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Her career goal is to continue caring for her community.
The George Prochaska scholarships:
Zoe Perkins and Melany Ruiz of Columbus are the recipients of the $500 2023 George Prochaska scholarships through the CCH Foundation.
Perkins is a 2023 graduate of Columbus High School. She has been very active with Youth & Family for Christ, as she has volunteered for seven years and gained status as a student leader and junior board member. She has also volunteered for the Nebraska Humane Society, Key Club and BIONIC groups. Perkins plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and then continue her education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to become a nurse practitioner. Her parents are Corey and Rebecca Perkins of Columbus.
Ruiz works at the hospital as a certified nursing assistant for the acute care unit. She has been a CNA for five years at the hospital and has completed traveling CNA work in the surrounding area. Ruiz plans to continue her education at UNMC in Norfolk in the nursing program to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Her parents are Gabriel and Yeni Ruiz of Columbus.
Eagles scholarship awarded: Holly Kuhr is the winner of the $1,000 2023 Eagles Radiological scholarship.
Kuhr is a student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the radiography program. She was in a transfer program for two years at Wayne State College. Kuhr aims to receive her Bachelor of Science in medical imaging and therapeutic sciences by studying radiography. Her parents are Russ and Beth Kuhr of Leigh.
HDR scholarship:
Tammy Dean of Osceola is the recipient of the 2023 HDR scholarship through the CCH Foundation.
Dean works at CCH as a medical assistant at Columbus General Surgery. She is a student in the nursing program at Central Community College in Columbus. Dean's career goal is to receive her Associate of Science in nursing and continue to care for the people in her community.
Deb Kessler memorial scholarship: Eden Jackson is the recipient of the $500 Deb Kessler memorial scholarship.
Jackson is a 2023 graduate of Columbus High School. She has received a cheerleading star award, an all-american cheerleader, top 10% in her class, student of the month and was a cheerleading letter winner. She is also part of the National Honor Society, Red Cross blood drive and Leaders for Life student leadership program. Jackson also lends time volunteering as a HOSA and Nebraska Humane Society member. She plans to enroll in Midland College in Fremont to pursue her Bachelor of Science in nursing to become a nurse practitioner. Her parents are Jesse and Wendy Jackson of Columbus.
Robert and Verdella Emerson scholarship: Emily Wellman of Columbus is the recipient of the $500 Robert and Verdella Emerson scholarship.
Wellman is a 2023 graduate of Lakeview High School. She has received several achievements, including student of the month, top 10% of her class, A-honor roll and class vice-president. She is also part of the National Honor Society, Student Council, FBLA and food pantry collections. She is a CNA at Prairie Village Retirement Center and is a volunteer at CCH. She plans to enroll at Wayne State College in Wayne to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree to become a nurse practitioner specializing in pediatrics. Her parents are Ryan and Laura Wellman of Columbus.
Charles and Myrna Meyer memorial scholarship: Taya Engel is the recipient of the $500 Charles and Myrna Meyer memorial scholarship endowment.
Engel is a 2023 graduate of Central Valley High School in Greeley. She has been a member of volleyball, basketball and track, lettering in all sports. She has also been a member of the Student Leadership Team, Unified Bowling, one-act play, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Science Olympiad, president of the National Honor Society and student council, class treasurer and was named the Salutatorian of the 2023 graduation class. Engel works as a CNA at Brookfield Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in St. Paul. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney this fall to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Her parents are Troy Engel of Shelby and Haley Oakley of Wolbach.
Richard and Judy Temme scholarship: Liam Blaser of Duncan is the $500 Richard and Judy Temme scholarship winner.
Blaser is a 2023 graduate of Columbus High School. He has been a member of several organizations such as the Youth Leadership of Columbus class, student council, National Honor Society, CHS 101 mentor group, National Council of Youth Leadership, Health Science Pathway program at CHS and member of the football, wrestling and track and field teams. Blaser also received National Honor Society Excellence in Leadership award, National Council of Youth Leadership of the Year award, NSAA Believers and Achievers 2022-23 local school recipient, Elks Country Club Teenage of the Month award, fall spotlight athlete, Shrine Bowl athlete, Academic All-State in football, wrestling and track and field, CCH/Premier Physical Therapy Athlete of the Week, top 10% of class, 2022 Bob Murry Most Outstanding Senior Football Player award, 4.0 honor roll and letter winner in three sports. Blaser is attending Chadron State College, majoring in biology/chemistry for pre-medicine in the Rural Health Opportunities Program. His career goal is to become a family practice physician or orthopedic surgeon in Nebraska. His parents are Chris and Amy Blaser of Duncan.
Columbus Community Hospital VolunTEEN program scholarships were also awarded to the following recipients:
$500 scholarship to Leslie Caleron-Medina of Columbus High School.
$500 scholarship to Tyson Weber of Columbus High School.
For more information on scholarships awarded through the CCH Foundation, visit www.columbushosp.org or call the CCH Foundation at 402-562-3377.