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Columbus Community Hospital recently announced the winners of its 2024 scholarships. Fifteen local students received $7,800 to further their educations.
Below is a list of the scholarship winners:
CCH Foundation scholarship: Britney de Leon of Columbus is the $500 CCH Foundation scholarship winner.
De Leon works at the hospital as a certified nursing assistant in the acute care unit. She is a College of Nursing program student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha. She plans to continue her education at UNMC this fall to obtain her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. She is the daughter of Antulio and Ivonne de Leon of Columbus.
CCH high school student scholarship: Addison Johnson of Columbus is the $300 CCH high school student scholarship winner.
Johnson is a 2024 Columbus High School graduate, where she was ranked second in her class for grade point average. She also received the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy All-State award; was in the top 10% in her class; made a three-year appearance at state track and field championships; was the high school volleyball team captain; was an all-state honorable mention; received a multi-activity student award in volleyball, basketball and track; and was Athlete of the Week. She was a member of the hospital’s Meals on Wheels program; National Honor Society; Godteens Youth Program; St. Isidore Catholic Church’s Vacation Bible School and Bazaar; Columbus High School Student Council; and volleyball, track and softball youth camps. She plans to enroll at the University of Nebraska at Kearney this fall to pursue a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy. Johnson’s parents are Aaron and Scarlett Johnson of Columbus.
Dallmont J. and Bernadine Erickson memorial scholarship: Regan DeBower of Columbus is the $500 2024 Dallmont J. and Bernadine Erickson memorial scholarship winner.
DeBower currently works at the hospital as a certified nursing assistant in our emergency department. She is a Bryan College of Health Sciences student in Lincoln. DeBower plans to continue her education at Bryan this fall to obtain her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. She is the daughter of Ross and Pamela DeBower of Columbus.
William and Barbara Gerhold scholarship: Gracelyn Eisenmann of Leigh is the recipient of the $500 2024 William and Barbara Gerhold scholarship.
Eisenmann is a 2024 graduate of Leigh High School. She received 10th place at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Students Taking Action with Recognition (STAR) competition. She also received first place two years in a row at the FCCLA state STAR competition. Eisenmann is a three-year letter winner in one-act play production and track. She is a two-year letter winner in volleyball, and a one-year letter winner in basketball. She has been the FCCLA chapter secretary since May 2022. Eisenmann was 2nd team and 3rd team All-Conference in volleyball, Nebraska Chiropractic Physician Association (NCPA) Academic All-State in both volleyball and basketball, student of the month, Nebaska School Activities Association (NSAA) State Volleyball runner-up, NSAA Believers and Achievers local school recipient, NSAA state qualifier in volleyball and basketball, Youth Advisory Council team member and Student Council president. She plans to enroll at Wayne State College to pursue her pre-nursing degree. Her parents are David and Kimberly Eisenmann of Leigh.
George Prochaska scholarships: Karissa Nichols and Emma Carlson of Columbus are the recipients of the $500 2024 George Prochaska scholarships through the CCH Foundation.
Nichols works at the hospital as a certified nursing assistant for the outpatient clinics. She has been a CNA, medical technician I and rehab aide for the hospital since 2020. Throughout her positions, she has worked in various departments such as Occupational Health Services, Wiggles & Giggles Therapy for Kids and the acute care unit. Before working at the hospital, Nichols also volunteered her time as a VolunTEEN. Nichols plans to continue her education at UNMC College of Medicine in Omaha to receive her Doctor of Medicine degree. Her parents are Chris and Janice Nichols of Columbus.
Carlson is a 2024 graduate of Columbus High School. She has been very active with her volunteer work, as she created the We’ve Got You Covered outreach, offering free coats, hats scarves, gloves and umbrellas to all community members in need. She also created Dance with Me, a free dance program for kids in the community. Carlson volunteers her time at Night to Shine’s annual food drive. She has received honors as an NSAA Believers and Achievers school finalist, top 10% of her class, student of the month, A-honor roll and varsity letter winner. She was also a member of CHS Diamond Dancers, Barb’s School of Dance, Girl Scouts, National Honor Society, Youth Leadership Columbus, HOSA, STRIVE as a student tutor, Key Club and BIONIC groups. Carlson plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney to obtain a pre-medicine degree. Her parents are Andrew and Rachael Carlson of Columbus.
Eagles scholarship awarded: Victoria Jarosz is the winner of the $1,000 2024 Eagles radiological scholarship.
Jarosz is a 2024 graduate of Humphrey St. Francis High School. She has accomplished many achievements, including A-honor roll, volleyball team captain and National Honor Society. She also lends time volunteering at the Humphrey St. Francis Bazaar, serving at the 500 Club and Humphrey St. Francis Blue and White Night banquets, working as a volleyball line judge and score keeper, assisting with the Humphrey St. Francis golf tournament, participating in volleyball and basketball camps, helping with highway clean-up projects, assisting with blood drives, and picking corn for food pantries. Jarosz plans to attend Wayne State College in the radiography program. Her parents are Jason and Heather Jarosz of Humphrey.
HDR scholarship: Georgina Flores Garcia of Columbus is the recipient of the 2024 HDR scholarship through the CCH Foundation.
Garcia works at CCH as a certified nursing assistant in the acute care unit. She is a student in the nursing program at Central Community College in Columbus. Garcia’s career goal is to receive her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree and continue to care for the people in her community, along with those abroad in Central America.
Deb Kessler memorial scholarship: Kamryn Jaeger is the recipient of the $500 Deb Kessler memorial scholarship.
Jaeger is a 2024 graduate of Columbus High School. She has accomplished several achievements, including A-honor roll distinction, top 10% in her class, soccer and volleyball varsity letter winner, Academic All-Conference, NSAA award recipient, NCPA Academic All-State recipient, Academic All-State and CCC President’s Honor list. She is also a lifeguard at Columbus Aquatics Center and Pawnee Plunge and is a part of Red Cross blood drives, Habitat for Humanity, Night to Shine, and St. Bonaventure’s Annual Bazaar. Jaeger lends time volunteering at food pantries, toy drives, kids’ volleyball and soccer camps and other community services projects. She plans to enroll in 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: Glory Bayoungissa and Hailey Hahn of Columbus are both recipients of the $500 Robert and Verdella Emerson scholarship.
Bayounguissa is a 2024 graduate of Columbus High School. She has accomplished several achievements, including being a member of the National Honor Society, and is currently certified as a CNA. Bayounguissa plans to enroll at Southeast Community College to study dental hygiene. Her parents are Edmond and Yvonne Bayounguissa of Columbus.
Hahn is a 2024 graduate of Columbus High School. She has accomplished several achievements, including Academic All-State and Academic All-Conference honors, A-honor roll, top 10% of class, student of the month and varsity letter winner in wrestling. Hahn also is a part of the National Honor Society, the VolunTEEN program, HOSA, STRIVE as a student tutor, Key Club, Leadership & Ethics, C-Club, CHS 101 mentor and BIONIC groups. She plans to enroll at Bryan College of Health Sciences to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Her parents are Pamela and Paul Hahn of Schuyler and Columbus.
Charles and Myrna Meyer memorial scholarship: Sussan de Leon is the recipient of the $500 Charles and Myrna Meyer memorial scholarship endowment.
De Leon works at the hospital as a certified nursing assistant in the acute care and intensive care units. She is a College of Nursing student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in Omaha. She plans to continue her education at UNMC this fall to obtain her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. She is the daughter of Antulio and Ivonne de Leon of Columbus.
Richard and Judy Temme scholarship: Cole Tessendorf is the $500 Richard and Judy Temme scholarship winner.
Tessendorf is currently a student at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He has been a member of several organizations, including the School of Medicine’s News Group, The Coyote Clinic, Independent Student Analysis (ISA) committee, medical education committee, simulation & skills lab assistant, Student Advisory Panel representative, Sanford Summer Leadership program, South Dakota State Medical Association (SDSMA) Firearm Violence Ad Hoc committee, and on the search committee for Assistant Dean of Medical Education. Tessendorf plans to continue his education by attending the University of South Dakota School of Medicine to obtain his doctorate in orthopaedic surgery. His parents are Travis and Abbie Tessendorf of Columbus.
Joe Barbaglia Memorial scholarship: Mikaela Classen of Columbus and Brayden Rinkol of Silver Creek are both recipients of the $500 Joe Barbaglia Memorial scholarship.
Classen works at the hospital as an accountant. She is currently enrolled at Central Community College – Columbus Campus to earn her Associate of Business Administration degree. She is the daughter of Joe and Lori Classen of Humphrey, and the fiancée of Brandon Ramaekers of Columbus.
Rinkol is a 2024 graduate of Twin River High School. He has accomplished several achievements, including honor roll with distinction, A-honor roll, Class C2 State Speech sixth place medalist in 2022 and fourth place in 2023, NSAA Believers and Achievers local school recipient, Presidential Education award, sixth place in National FCCLA competition, Academic All-State award, student of the month, and altar server award. Rinkol volunteers his time at many community and church activities in Silver Creek, including local appliance drives, Silver Creek Fire Department Pancake Feed, Silver Creek Car Show, local blood drives, church soup suppers, summer Bible school and Silver Creek Game Feed. He plans to enroll at the University of Nebraska at Kearney to receive his finance degree. His parents are Randy and Nancy Rinkol of Silver Creek.
Cori Fullner, executive director of the CCH Foundation, said she is thankful these opportunities are available for area youth.
“I am grateful to the generous families who established these scholarship funds through our hospital foundation,” Fullner said. “For students who are continuing their education or working hard to obtain a degree, receiving a scholarship means a great deal to them. There is something to be said about living in a giving community, and Columbus is definitely that.”
Melinda Allen, employment and education coordinator at CCH, said the health care scholarships awarded are a wonderful way to support the community’s workforce.
“The impact of these generous scholarship donations will continue to benefit the Columbus community for years to come,” Allen said. “Every time we support a future health care professional, we strengthen our pipeline of quality health care workers back to the Columbus area. It is our privilege to recognize the diligent efforts of these students and extend our invitation for their return to the community to provide care.”
Columbus Community Hospital VolunTEEN program scholarships were also awarded to the following recipients:
• $1,000 scholarship to Perah Connelly of Columbus High School.
• $750 scholarship to Preston Hastreiter of Columbus High School.
• $750 scholarship to Hailey Hahn of Columbus High School.
• $500 scholarship to Ashlyn Cremers of Columbus High School.
• $500 scholarship to Braylon Vancura of Columbus High School.
• $500 scholarship to Evan Kiene of Scotus Central Catholic High School.
• $500 scholarship to Isabel Zaruba of Scotus Central Catholic High School.
• $250 scholarship to Makenna Jaeger of Lakeview High School.
• $250 scholarship to Michelle Molina of Columbus High School.
“We are thrilled to offer scholarships to graduating VolunTEENs,” said Angie Ramaekers, director of volunteer and guest services. “The VolunTEEN scholarship program awards up to $5,000 in scholarships each year. Since beginning the VolunTEEN scholarship program in 2018, each year we are proud to recognize the achievements of these students, and reward them for their volunteer service commitment to Columbus Community Hospital.”
For more information on scholarships awarded through the hospital and foundation, visit columbushosp.org.
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