Macoupin medical scholarships awarded

The Carlinville Area Hospital Auxiliary presented $1,000 scholarships to two Macoupin County high school seniors during its semi-annual dinner meeting on May 9. Scholarship program leader Karen Lanzerotte introduced Gillespie High School’s Shelby Geisler and North Mac’s Olivia Thoroman as this year’s winners. They were chosen from among 17 Macoupin County high school applicants.

Both young ladies have chosen nursing as their career in medicine. Each read her qualification essay expressing the reasons for pursuing a medical career at the college level. Geisler said in her narrative that she wants “to be there for individuals, families, and communities and make an impact on their quality of life.” While the goal of a nurse is to basically help people feel better, she said, “there is a lot more to it than that. Staying positive in every situation and providing support helps prevent stress and overwhelming emotions in the patients that nurses serve.”

Thoroman said, “Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be in a profession where I can help others.” Later, “I got hooked on Grey’s Anatomy. Although this show is not the real reality of healthcare, I learned that I was truly interested in the medical field and fascinated by what it takes to keep a hospital or healthcare center running. My dream goal is to be a nurse to newborns in the NICU, labor, and delivery. I want a career in the medical field to make a difference for others.”

Geisler plans to attend Illinois State University in Normal in the fall and pursue a major in nursing. Thoroman also will attend Illinois State University and work toward her degree in nursing. Each will receive an initial payment of $500 this fall, followed in the second semester by an additional $500 as long as she has established a 3.0 grade point average in the first semester.

Applications for the 2024 scholarships will be available at all Macoupin County high schools at the start of this year’s fall semester. The awards will be announced next spring.