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Updated: June 2, 2025 @ 10:41 am
Student Alejandre Brito, left, with Darlene Arnold, center, and Loren Williams of the volunteer association on May 12.
Sara Haehnel, left, listens as Darlene Arnold lists her accomplishments on May 12.
Kazel Vincent, left, listens as Darlene Arnold lists her accomplishments on May 12.
Ailani Colon, left, listens as Darlene Arnold lists her accomplishments on May 12.
Nathalia Espinal, left, listens as Darlene Arnold lists her accomplishments on May 12.
Five of the six recipients pose for a photo after the awards ceremony. From left are Emma Burkhart, Nathalia Espinal, Sara Haehnel, Kazel Vincent and Ailani Colon.
Student Alejandre Brito, left, with Darlene Arnold, center, and Loren Williams of the volunteer association on May 12.
Sara Haehnel, left, listens as Darlene Arnold lists her accomplishments on May 12.
Kazel Vincent, left, listens as Darlene Arnold lists her accomplishments on May 12.
Ailani Colon, left, listens as Darlene Arnold lists her accomplishments on May 12.
Nathalia Espinal, left, listens as Darlene Arnold lists her accomplishments on May 12.
Five of the six recipients pose for a photo after the awards ceremony. From left are Emma Burkhart, Nathalia Espinal, Sara Haehnel, Kazel Vincent and Ailani Colon.
SPRING HILL — Ailani Colon has big plans for her life.
Thanks to some volunteers at Oak Hill Hospital, she has some help in pursuing her dream to eventually go to Pasco-Hernando State College for a nursing degree and then to the University of South Florida to earn a medical degree.
Colon is a student at Weeki Wachee High School, where she is active in student government and plays two sports: flag football and golf.
“I feel great — I feel very accomplished and I’m very proud of myself,” she said. “To get this scholarship and all the work that I’ve done really pays off.”
Her mother, Valaria, said she’s thankful to God for the community doing this.
“I’m very proud of her for what she accomplished in high school, and now her senior year,” she said.
Colon was one of six eager and motivated young women found their path to college and careers in health care becoming a little easier as the Oak Hill Hospital Volunteer Association presented $23,000 in scholarships May 14 at the hospital.
The other recipients were Alejandre Brito, of Central High School; Kazel Vincent, of F.W. Springstead High School; Emma Burkhart, of Hernando High School; Sara Haehnel, of F.W. Springstead High School; and Nathalia Espinal, of Hernando High School.
A reception was held featuring Loren Williams, president of the volunteer association; the association’s vice president, Candace Rose; and members Darlene Arnold, Parker Arnold, Judy Clement Larry Bolden and Elaine Hernandes. Food and drinks were served in a room at the Graduate Medical Education building at Oak Hill Hospital.
The young women and their proud families all came forward to receive certificates and pose for photos. The scholarship funds will go directly to the schools they will be attending.
Melissa Haehnel said she’s proud of her daughter, Sara, for what she’s accomplished and overcome in her life.
“She has overcome a lot of trials and tribulations this year and she did not give up, pushing through,” she said.
Sara has a 4.0 GPA and has done a lot of volunteer work in the community. She hopes to be a speech pathologist and said she’s going to attend USF.
Darlene Arnold, chair of the scholarship committee, said all the students have to be going into the medical field.
“Anything medical,” Arnold said.
Students had to apply and submit essays, she said, and all are right now involved in volunteer work for the community or helping other students, as well as participating in clubs, sports and other activities.
Loren Williams, the president of the volunteer association, said of the eight who applied, six were qualified for scholarships.
“All six have chosen to go into the allied health or health field careers, and they’ve all been accepted into college,” he said.
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