Meet our last batch of Winter Winners in Healthcare
Our scholarships continue to help adults who are absolutely committed to the education that holds the key to the future they envision. For many it has been a longtime dream, for others a fork in the road revealed a new and exciting path they had never imagined. Virtually all of them are challenged to leave the comfort zone they once relied on for new perspectives and connections. Essentially all the winners pursue their goals ‘despite all the odds.’
Alexis Spears
For Alexis Spears, Nursing has been a passion since she was young. But even before she had graduated from high school, she was pregnant. “One of my biggest motivations,” Alexis says, “is my daughter. I’m proud I made the adult choice to be responsible as a parent at the young age of 16 and for finishing high school.”
Following school, Alexis found a Practical Nurse’s program she was able to balance as a young mother. She then began her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse, followed by prepping for enrollment in a Bachelor’s of Nursing Program. “It didn’t happen overnight,” Alexis told us. “Slowly but surely, I came closer to the goal of acceptance into the program. Since being accepted and currently at the halfway mark of completion, every day I feel a sense of gratitude at how far I have come to this next chapter in my life.”
Alexis is in a challenging but accelerated BSN program at Chamberlain University - New Orleans. The 431 Exchange is delighted Alexis earned one of its scholarships, to help relieve some of the financial strain she’s had. And we look forward to her becoming the nurse she has always wanted to be!
Chris Plessy
Chris Plessy served as a firefighter and paramedic for a decade following his high school graduation. In fact, he learned he was exceptionally proficient helping people with acute and life-threatening injuries that require intervention in a short window of time. “I found my passion in helping manage such patients, and decided to pursue it in a higher capacity,” Chris said, “as a physician.”
Now enrolled at Georgia State University, in the Bachelor of Science, in Neuroscience, this husband, father, and fulltime healthcare provider in a hospital Emergency Department, is off and running! While he knows keeping things balanced will be a challenge, Chris has his wife’s support, and life over the last decade, have shown him he is up to the challenges. The 431 Exchange is proud of another Winter 2021 Scholarship Winner striving to help others above self.
Mia Robertson
Drum roll, please: Mia Robertson is one semester away from earning her Bachelor of Science Education in Exercise Physiology from Baylor University! While Covid-19 impacted Mia’s career plans, it did so in a most positive way. The months of quarantine gave her time to watch old sports footage and examine the business deals made in different leagues. “I concluded,” Mia said, “that instead of a Masters in Physical Therapy, I wanted to go into Sports Management. I want to work with athletes so they have someone in the front office who understands how their body is affected by their sport.”
Richard Salinas
Richard Salinas earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work after high school and spent 8 years in the field. As the years went by, however, Richard reflected on his original interests. “Nursing was always my calling. I just let someone during my undergraduate program talk me out of pursuing it.” Richard realized it was time for a change in his life, and he was motivated!
“I made it my goal to get into the nursing program on my first try,” Richard said. He was focused, scored well on the HESI, and ended up with an A in Microbiology and a B in Anatomy & Physiology II. “A day after my last final, I received an email confirming that I had made it into the Amarillo College’s Nursing Program!”
Richard plans to work in an Oncology Clinic upon graduation and, once established as a nurse, aims to work towards becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. The 431 Exchange congratulates Richard Salinas for following his instincts and his dreams. We are proud to be giving him a scholarship to help him on his way.