Congratulations to Port Hope students, Recipients of 2019 Health Professions Scholarships
Nursing student Madison Holmes and kinesiology student Catharine Mead are the recipients of Northumberland Hills Hospital’s 2019 Health Professions Scholarships.
Presented by NHH Board Chair Elizabeth Selby at the opening of the Board of Director’s meeting on June 13th, the scholarships—now in their 16th year— were first introduced in 2003 to support students from west Northumberland who have chosen to pursue a career in the health-care sector.
“By helping our local students achieve their academic goals we aim to encourage them to consider opportunities at NHH when the time comes to select an employer,” said Selby.
In addition to being enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a full-time study program, applicants are evaluated on a combination of criteria, including:
- academic achievements;
- extra-curricular activities;
- a letter explaining their career goals; and
- written references.
“Once again, our 2019 applicants demonstrated a wonderful combination of commitment to their community and academic skill,” said Dr. Selby. Details of the 2019 scholarship winners’ achievements were shared as follows at the evening presentation.
Madison Holmes has just completed her first year of university studies. She is presently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Trent University in Peterborough.
She selected this degree with the aim of becoming an Emergency Department nurse and, in the longer-term, a Registered Nurse Practitioner—both of which are in high demand.
A graduate of St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Cobourg, Madison received an honour roll certificate for each semester of her four years at St. Mary’s, and graduated as an Ontario Scholar. She also received the geography award for her school, and an accompanying scholarship.
In addition to maintaining excellent grades, Madison was active in a large number of extra-curricular activities, including coach and volunteer at Northumberland Gymnastics. In her application, Madison spoke very enthusiastically about her chosen line of study and the health-care field in general. Her work ethic and strength of character earned her high praise from those who endorsed her application, including Brenda MacNeil, a Registered Dental Hygienist who hosted Madison during her co-op placement in high school. Brenda MacNeil said: “I believe [Madison] would be an asset in the field of health care, and she comes highly recommended by myself and my colleagues.”
Catharine Mead, also of Port Hope, is one of the youngest recipients of this award, having just completed her final year of high school. Her achievements to date have been exemplary.
With plans to eventually pursue a career as a physiotherapist, Catharine will be attending the University of Waterloo this fall, in the Honours Kinesiology, Co-Op Program. An Ontario Scholar with a strong academic performance throughout her time at Port Hope High, Catharine was previously the recipient of her high school’s General Proficiency Award in recognition of her high academic standing.
She completed 700 community volunteers hours, and has received numerous commendations from her school and community, including the MP Kim Rudd Award, and the Municipality of Port Hope Citizenship Award.
Active in student government as the “Arts Minister,” Catharine was involved with the yearbook, played cello and clarinet in her school orchestra, participated in the girls’ volleyball team and was a LINK leader for incoming grade nines.
Outside of school, Catharine took over six hours of ballet lessons a week, played first violin in the La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra, served as a member of the pit orchestra for Northumberland Players, and sang with the St. Cecilia Singers and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church Choir, all while staying on task and focused on her learning.
Kevin Eves, Teacher and Counselor at Port Hope High, was among Catharine’s letters of reference, noting: “It is with great pleasure that I give this letter of recommendation…. Any recognition of [Catharine’s] personality traits (leadership, organization, determination) are truly deserved. Catharine has been and will continue to be a model for her peers and an asset to society for years to come.”
“The values and commitment to excellence that both these students share are a tribute to the support they’ve received from their families, teachers and mentors,” said Elizabeth Selby in her concluding remarks. “We congratulate them, and their families, on their achievements to date, and we wish them all the best as they work toward their goals.”
Applications for consideration for the 2019 Health Professions Scholarship may be submitted at any time before the next deadline of February 15, 2020.