From staff reports
Clarion Hospital Foundation awarded seven scholarships to area students who will purse education in the medical field. Gena Caldwell, Nicholas Cherico, Kera Cussins, MacKenzie DiTullio, Emily Gourley, Haley Minich and Becca Smith were selected by committee members to be the 2018 recipients.
To be eligible for scholarship consideration, students must be a graduate or future graduate of a Clarion County high school, be accepted to a school of post-secondary health care education, have a grade point average of 3.0 or equivalent in the final three years of high school, and plan to pursue higher education in a medical related field.
Gena Caldwell
Caldwell was awarded the James Alexander Memorial Scholarship.
She is a 2018 graduate from North Clarion High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society, band, and Junior Historians. She participated in track and field, basketball and was a varsity starter in volleyball.
Community service has been a big part of her activities over the last six years.
In the fall she will attend Gannon University majoring in biomedical engineering.
Nicholas Cherico
Cherico was awarded the Dr. John Brooks Memorial Scholarship.
He is a 2018 graduate of Clarion Area High School where he was president of the senior class, a member of National Honor Society, a member of the Science Olympiad team, treasurer of senior choir, treasurer of band, president of Senior High Student Council and earned a lead role in the All-School Musical.
He was also a member of Clarion Scout Troop 51 where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and has been involved with several community service projects throughout the years.
Cherico has been accepted to both Duquesne University and Gannon University and has early acceptance into LECOM and will pursue a career as a physician.
Kera Cussins
Cussins was awarded the Dr. John Johnston Memorial Scholarship.
She is a 2018 graduate of North Clarion High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society, student council, Clarion County Youth Council, Junior Historians, prom committee and served as a library assistant. She also played junior varsity and varsity volleyball and participated as a junior Olympian in volleyball.
Through the years, Cussins participated in the Academic Decathlon and Scrimmage, the Clarion University Math Competition and the Science Olympiad as well.
She plans to attend Lock Haven University where she will begin her journey to become a physician assistant.
MacKenzie DiTullio
DiTullio was awarded the Fran Shope Memorial Scholarship.
She is a 2018 graduate of Clarion Area High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Clarion Area varsity softball. In addition, she was a member of concert band, prep band, jazz band, marching band and Twirling Angels Competitive Baton Corp. She served as treasurer of student council and secretary of the senior class.
DiTullio has been accepted to Saint Francis University where she will pursue a career in occupational therapy.
Emily Gourley
Gourley was awarded the Fran Shope Memorial Scholarship.
She will attend Messiah College where she will major in biomedical engineering.
Haley Minich
Minich was awarded the Joseph and Helen Miller Memorial Scholarship.
She is a 2018 graduate of Redbank Valley High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society, Bible club, served as captain of varsity soccer and competed in varsity track and field.
She is a volunteer tutor and Vacation Bible School leader as well.
Minich has been accepted to Gannon University and Duquesne University and will be attending LECOM to finish her training to become a pharmacist.
Becca Smith
Smith was awarded the Joseph and Helen Miller Memorial Scholarship.
She is a 2018 graduate of Keystone High School as well as the Clarion County Career Center’s allied health science program. While at Keystone, she was a member of the National Honor Society, served as senior class treasurer, senior high student government treasurer and cheerleading captain. Smith was also a member of the Clarion County Career Honor Society and served as Clarion County Career Center allied health science class treasurer and secretary.
In the fall, she will attend Clarion University of Pennsylvania where she will pursue a degree in nursing.