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Scholarship recipients say thanks
Bruce Matlock photo
Stacy Connolly (left) and Kristen Buckner received scholarships from Iredell Memorial Hospital to help them pursue nursing degrees. They were in attendance to show their appreciation to scholarship donors Tuesday at the Mitchell Community College Scholarship luncheon.
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Published: April 8, 2009
Mitchell Community College held a luncheon Tuesday to show its appreciation of the individuals and organizations who have funded student scholarships.
Many of the scholarship recipients were on hand to express their gratitude to donors.
"This is an opportunity for us to thank them for their support of the school," MCC spokeswoman Kathy Holland said.
In the past year, contributions of $262,741 have helped 181 students.
During the ceremony, students Jordan Evans and Cassandra Rabito-Pariseau shared their stories.
Evans, 18, who received the Augustus and Dorothy Raymer scholarship for $1,000, was able to pay for fall and spring semester. His only out-of-pocket cost was books.
Evans, who has a learning disability, was told in high school he wasn't college material.
Without the scholarship, he would have had to work two or more jobs to pay tuition. Instead, he can focus on his studies.
"I'm very appreciative to have that scholarship," he said.
Rabito-Pariseau said college would not have been an option without the $3,500 she received in scholarships, which paid for her tuition and books.
"My mom works just to make ends meet," she said. "It wouldn't be possible."
Her goal is to eventually enter the nursing program at Mitchell and then move on to a four-year university to continue her studies in nursing.
She initially wanted to work in agriculture but switched to nursing after her brother, Alex, was hospitalized with an inflammation of the brain.
"I want to be able to change somebody's life like the medical staff at Presbyterian changed mine," Rabito-Pariseau said.
Sue Plyler and Lois Taylor attended on behalf of the Lillie Norket Scholarship provided by Davis Regional Medical Center.
The women said they were proud to be part of an organization that supports education.
"Hearing stories like Cassandra's makes it worthwhile," Plyler said. "It makes you want to do more."
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