Hutton Foundation Scholarships presented
Jim Hutton was passionate about helping students become nurses. He learned firsthand the value of quality nursing care. As a result, he created a foundation to help students pursue their dreams of becoming nurses. In doing so, Jim left a legacy for nurses in Kit Carson and Yuma counties.
Although the Hutton Foundation is known for low-interest nursing loans, the board of directors voted to award two scholarships as well.
In the spring of 2022, the Hutton Foundation offered two $20,000 scholarships to nursing students in Kit Carson and Yuma counties.
The scholarship committee had nine very well-qualified candidates this year, and selecting two finalists was certainly challenging.
The Hutton Foundation announced Paige Fisher as the 2022 Hutton Foundation Scholarship recipient for Kit Carson County, along with Olivia Hernandez as the recipient for Yuma County.
Fisher’s inspiration to pursue a career in nursing began at 5 years old while listening to the stories of her grandmother who was also a nurse.
In 2017, her family’s lives changed forever when her father was diagnosed with cancer. Not only did she serve as enormous support for her father, but she also became involved in this care.
Even though this was a very trying time for her and her family, it further solidified her resolve to become a nurse. She will begin this journey this fall at Fort Hays State University.
Hernandez discovered in high school that she wanted to care for other people. She became a certified nurse’s aid in a long-term care facility and then graduated from Morgan Community College with an Associate of Science in Nursing in 2015.
She then earned her licensed practical nurse license with the intent to obtain her bachelors degree as well. However, she put this on hold to care for her family.
In the meantime, she discovered a passion for long-term care and has served as a licensed practical nurse at Hillcrest Care Center in Wray.
She will begin working on her Bachelor of Science in Nursing this summer at Morgan Community College in Fort Morgan.
She continues to enjoy her role in long-term care and plans to continue her career as a nurse at Hillcrest Center.
Visit their website for more information on the Hutton Foundation and nursing financial assistance at jimhuttoneducationfoun
ation.org.
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