With the uncertainty of the current times, never before has staffing been such an integral part of West River Health Services and Western Horizons Living Centers. We are constantly searching for the brightest and most caring healthcare personnel we can find – and especially those who want to work and raise their families in a rural community.

Therefore, due to years of thoughtful giving of our area communities, the Scholarship Program at West River Health Services Foundation continues to invest in our area youth and our current employees. This year, we have invested $11,500 in 13 area students and employees. Historically, only scholarships for high school seniors attending college for a healthcare degree have been the focus. However, in the last three years, scholarships have also been made available for College Upperclassmen and WRHS/WHLC Employees to pursue further education.

Last April, the WRHS Foundation's Scholarship Committee (comprised of local volunteer, WRHS/WHLC/WRHSF Board of Director Members) met and selected eight area Seniors in High School (mainly pursuing a healthcare degree and from six area communities), to receive $4,000 (or $500 each) in academic scholarships. The winners were: Joyce Stippich Memorial -- Carolyn Schultz and Alyssa Andress; Lynn Feist Memorial -- Mesha Schwab; Irma Steinmetz Memorial --Ashlynn Dix; Denim Day Internal Scholarship -- Emily Shirek; WRHS Foundation Scholarships -- Emily Dinius, Morgan Hertz and Elise Fischer.

This past month, our Scholarship Committee met again and selected our College Upperclassmen and Employee Scholarship winners. The Committee Members had 25 applications to examine and score, with preset criteria for all. The following were the College Upperclassmen award winners: $2,000 for Tayler Burwick, $1,000 for Cassie Andress and $1,000 for Brianna Robinson. At the same time, our Employee Scholarship winners were also selected: $2,000 for Brianna Sanford and $1,500 for Casitee Miller. Congratulations to all the winners and applicants.

Of course, although there are no stipulations, we are always hoping that these scholarship winners and scholarship applicants will consider applying for employment at WRHS or WHLC. We are always on the lookout for smart and caring personnel to help our patients, residents and tenants.

Our Senior in High School Scholarship Applications will be due next April 1, 2021. Go to wrhs.com/scholarships to apply or contact your local high school guidance/career counselor. Plus, you can always call Ted Uecker at 701-567-3666 or email him at fdo@wrhs.com. Onward!

By Ted Uecker, WRHS Foundation