Ten students receive scholarships

Ten students pursuing health care careers received a helping hand recently by each receiving a $1,000 grant-in-aid from the Auxiliary at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese.

This year’s recipients include:

• Ana Avalos of Albers, entering a Bachelor of Science in nursing program at St. Louis University this August.
• Alayna Benhoff of Carlyle, enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in nursing program at St. Louis University with a goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.
• Alexis Hamon of Aviston, who will be a first-year medical student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
• Clarece Jansen of Bartelso, pursuing a Master of Occupational Therapy degree at Maryville University of St. Louis.
• Gracie Jasper of Aviston, enrolled in the physician assistant program at Missouri State University in Springfield.
• Cameron “Cami” Kampwerth of Aviston, in the nursing program at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, with a goal of becoming a labor and delivery nurse.
• Abby Litteken of New Baden, who just completed her second year in the Radiologic Science program, specializing in radiation therapy, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
• Reese Strubhart of Aviston, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
• MacKenzie Tebbe of Breese, pursing her Master of Science in nursing education degree at Webster University in Webster Groves, Missouri, with an interest in pediatrics.
• Emma Weick of Carlyle, entering the Radiologic Technology program at Kaskaskia College this August with a special interest in pediatrics.

Recipients were announced and certificates presented by Auxiliary Scholarship co-chairs Lynn Rinella and Jacqueline Chiarolanza, Auxiliary Assistant Treasurer Mary Aubuchon and hospital Director of Volunteer Services Chris Gebke.

As traditionally done, the grants-in-aid were presented as memorials of past Auxiliary members who passed away. Remembered were:

• Andrew’s Great Grandma/Elizabeth Schroeder.
• Florence and Joe Seiffert.
• Auxiliary members who passed away in 2021 – Charter member Mary Goestenkors, Henry “Red” Hoerchler, Ruth Langhauser and Erlene Strubhart.
• Members who passed away in 2022 – Genevieve Albers, Janae Becker, Ruby Kasson, Kathryn Kueper, Dolores Lampe, Ruth Mary Rakers, Kathryn “Sis” Raymond, Shirley Spihlman and Joyce Wilken.
• Members who passed away in 2023 – Wilma Berndsen and Arthur Housman.

The Auxiliary grant-in-aid program dates to 1970 when the first award of $500 was given. Since then, the organization has presented $297,000 to 443 students, according to Director of Volunteer Services Chris Gebke. Currently the Auxiliary has 198 active and 73 honorary members. At the end of this fiscal year, the group volunteered over 10,000 hours to the hospital.

Health care grants-in-aid are funded through a variety of sources including individual donations, memorials and several Auxiliary sales. To donate to the scholarship fund or for more information about the Auxiliary, contact Chris Gebke, Director of Volunteer Services, at 618-526-5351 or email Christine.Gebke@hshs.org.

Photo Caption: Ten health care career students from Clinton County recently received grants-in-aid of $1,000 each from the Auxiliary at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese. Receiving the awards were (from left) Alexis Hamon, Alayna Benhoff, Reese Strubhart, Cameron Kampwerth, Abby Litteken, Emma Weick and Ana Avalos; (not pictured) Clarece Jansen, MacKenzie Tebbe and Gracie Jasper. Presenting the awards were Auxiliary Scholarship Co-chairs (back row, from left) Jackie Chiarolanza, Lynn Rinella and Mary AuBuchon.