Clarion Hospital Foundation Awards Annual Scholarships To Local High School Students

The Clarion Hospital Foundation, a charitable arm of Independence Health System, recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to 8 area high school students pursuing careers in the healthcare field. Scholarship recipients were selected based on academic and extracurricular achievement with the intent to pursue a career in the medical profession.

Caden Ace was awarded the John E. Brooks Memorial Scholarship.

Caden is a 2024 Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School graduate who plans to pursue a career as a physician and attend the University of Pittsburgh. While attending A-C Valley, Caden was a member of the National Honor Society, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence. She was also a member of the Give Club, where she held the positions of secretary and treasurer, and a member of the prom committee.

Madilyn Baker was awarded the Joseph & Helen Miller Memorial Scholarship.

Madilyn is a 2024 Clarion Area Jr/Sr High School graduate enrolled in the nursing program at PennWest Edinboro. While attending Clarion Area High School, Madilyn was treasurer of the Youth Council. She also lettered in varsity soccer, and in 2023, she achieved third place in the state for females in trap shooting.

Grace Barlett was awarded the Joseph & Helen Miller Memorial Scholarship.

Grace is a 2024 Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School graduate pursuing a biomedical research career at Brown University’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME). While attending A-C Valley, Grace was a member of the National Honor Society, president of the GIVE Club, district representative of Students for Education in Pennsylvania, youth representative of the Clarion County Drug-Free Coalition, school board student representative, citizen scientist in Project Monarch Health, citizen scientist in the Monarch Watch Tagging Program, member of the Academic Competition Team, and held various leadership roles in student government. Grace was also a volunteer coach for the elementary girls’ basketball program, president of Emlenton Echoes 4-H Club, and team member of A-C Valley’s JV/Varsity Girl’s Basketball (lettering) and Rising Stars AAU Basketball teams. Grace was awarded the AP Scholar with Honor Award and the National Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award.

MacKenna Rankin was awarded the Fran Shope Memorial Scholarship.

MacKenna is a 2024 Redbank Valley High School graduate and will be attending Carlow University to pursue a career in cardiovascular perfusion. While attending Redbank Valley, MacKenna was a member of the National Honor Society, secretary of the Student Council, member of the Outdoor Club, secretary of the International Club, and member of the Future Business Leaders of America. She was involved with the Future Farmers of America as a historian and reporter, a Clarion County Fair Junior Livestock Committee member, and vice president of the Real Dairy and Livestock 4-H Club, receiving the Clarion County Memorial Award. MacKenna lettered while participating in track and field and made the KSAC 2nd All-Conference Team for girls pole vaulting. MacKenna received the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award.

Ava Schreckengost was awarded the Fran Shope Memorial Scholarship.

Ava graduated from Union High School in 2024 and was accepted into the Nursing program at BC3. Her passion for healthcare inspired her to become an EMT, where she learned various skills, such as CPR and accessing care and treatment. She was also involved with the Allied Health program, practicing CPR and first aid skills, and learning about occupational safety and health administration. She was selected as a 2^nd All-Conference Team outfielder in softball during her senior year. Ava looks forward to advancing her passion in healthcare by attaining a degree in nursing.

Gracie Gallagher was awarded the James B. Alexander Memorial Scholarship.

Gracie is a 2024 graduate of Union High School and will pursue a degree in medical technology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the fall. While attending Union High School, Gracie was class president and a member of the National Honor Society. Gracie looks forward to working in healthcare, where she can make a positive impact on patient care.

Samantha Bowser was awarded the Dr. John L. Johnston Memorial Scholarship.

Samantha is a 2024 Redbank Valley High School graduate and will attend Duquesne University in the fall to pursue a career as a physician or physician assistant. While attending Redbank High School, Samantha was secretary of the Future Business Leaders of America, treasurer of the Travel Club, and member of the Outdoors Club, Spanish Club, Bible Club, and National Honor Society. She was captain of the varsity softball team and lettered in varsity volleyball. Samantha supported community initiatives to help others through her participation in toy drives and community food drives for families in need.

Emma Goughler was awarded the Stroup Family Nursing Scholarship.

Emma is a 2024 graduate of Clarion-Limestone High School and will attend PennWest Clarion to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While attending Clarion-Limestone, Emma was a member of the National Honor Society, the Future Business Leaders of America, and the homecoming court. Her compassion and desire to help others motivated her to pursue a career in nursing.

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925. With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, the System is the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties.

The System includes tertiary programs rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery, earning accolades from a number of prestigious outlets and organizations. Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. Learn more at www.independence.health