King's Daughters awards scholarships to local students

Thanks to generous donors in our local community, King's Daughters Health Foundation recently awarded $12,000 in college scholarships to area students pursuing college degrees.

The Edna and Mildred Monk Memorial Nursing Scholarship was awarded to five students pursuing degrees in nursing. The $1,000 scholarship provides assistance with the first year's tuition, room, board, books and lab fees and is open to dependents of King's Daughters team members.

This year's scholarship recipients include:

• Hailey Hunt, daughter of Rush and Vivian Hunt. A graduate of Boyd County High School, Hunt plans to attend Morehead State University.
• Haley Pancake, daughter of Donald and Rebecca Pancake. A graduate of Symmes Valley High School, Pancake plans to attend Ohio University Southern.
• Polly Dalton, daughter of Bobbie and Kelly Dalton. A graduate of Greenup County High School, Dalton plans to attend Morehead State University.
• Taylor Stamper, daughter of Robbie and Nichole Stamper. A graduate of Russell High School, Stamper plans to attend the University of Pikeville.
• Abigail Keeton, daughter of Jeff and Leigh Ann Keeton. A graduate of Russell High School, Keeton plans to attend Georgetown College.

"This scholarship has been funded by the Monk family for many years," said Leslee McLeod, of the King's Daughters Health Foundation. "We cannot thank Edward Monk and the Monk family enough for their generosity and commitment to nursing's future," she said.

The Boyd County Medical Society awarded $6,000 in scholarships to four students, representing the four high schools in the Ashland-Russell metro area. The $1,500 scholarship provides assistance with the first year's tuition, room, board, books and lab fees and is open to students pursuing any field of study.

This year's scholarship recipients include:

• Kaleigh Evans, daughter of Terina Evans. A graduate of Fairview High School, Evans plans to attend the University of Louisville.
• Grace Osborn, daughter of Gene and Beth Osborn. A graduate of Russell High School, Osborn plans to attend the University of Kentucky.
• Madison Greene, daughter of Andrew and Pat Greene. A graduate of Paul G. Blazer High School, Greene plans to attend Eastern Kentucky University.
• Brock McNeil, son of Brian and Ginger Sturgill McNeil. A graduate of Boyd County High School, McNeil plans to attend Morehead State University.

In its inaugural year, the Stewart Health Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Rodney Johnstone, son of Heather Layne. A graduate of Fairview High School, Johnstone plans to attend the University of Louisville. The $2,000 scholarship provides assistance with the first year's tuition, room, board, books and lab fees and is open to students pursuing any field of study. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years, as long as the recipient maintains a 2.50 GPA with a minimum of 12 hours of classes per semester.

"These scholarships represent a significant commitment on the part of the Monk family, the Boyd County Medical Society, and the Stewart Health Foundation," McLeod said. "It's our hope that these students will enjoy tremendous success in college and return to the community to make an even greater impact on Ashland and throughout the entire region," she said.

About the Health Foundation

King's Daughters Health Foundation works to build financial support for King's Daughters Medical Center as it strives to meet the growing needs of the community. The Foundation's efforts support patient care, medical equipment upgrades, outreach services, education and wellness programs and special needs for patients/families. If you'd like to support the Foundation's work through giving, please call (606) 408-0412.