The Clarion Hospital Foundation recently awarded six $1,000 scholarships to students from Clarion County. Andrea Strickenberger received the Dr. John E. Brooks Memorial Scholarship, while Courtney Frederick and Gale Garmong received the Joseph and Helen Miller Scholarships. The Frances Shope Memorial Scholarships were given to Justin Arner and Ashley Heidler, and the Clarion Hospital Foundation (in memory of Jim Alexander) gave a sixth scholarship to Kierstin Kiser.

Andrea Strickenber is an alumna of North Clarion High School. Having received a bachelor of science degree in speech pathology and audiology in May, Andrea plans to continue taking classes toward a master’s degree in speech language pathology. Andrea is a member of Clarion University’s Track & Field Team and volunteers to help at Clarion University events. She has also been involved with the Cook Forest Half Marathon for the past three years.

Courtney Frederick graduated from Union High School this past spring and plans to attend Slippery Rock University in the fall, majoring in physical therapy. While in high school, Courtney was a member of the National Honor Society and served as vice president of her class. She received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award.

Gale Garmong graduated from Redbank Valley High School this past spring. There, he was president of the Student Council and captain of the Academic Team. Gale is enrolled in the pre-pharmacy program at Clarion University. When he finishes this program, he will attend pharmacy school at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

An alumnus of Clarion Area High School, Justin Arner recently graduated from Shepherd University in West Virginia with a bachelor of science in biology. He has been accepted to the West Virginia University School of Medicine. While at Shepherd, Justin was a member of the varsity football team and was involved in several academic societies and fraternities. This year he was named the Male Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year. In addition to academic and extra-curricular work, Justin also volunteered at medical clinics in WV providing free medical care to the Hispanic population.

Ashley Heidler has returned to school after a career in the event management and communications field in Boston. She is a 2001 graduate of Clarion Area High School and a 2005 graduate of Ohio University. After caring for her grandmother with dementia, Ashley decided to become a nurse. Ashley has been taking courses at Clarion University and is currently enrolled in Villanova University’s accelerated-degree nursing program.

Kierstin Kiser graduated last spring from Clarion Area High School and plans to attend St. Francis University in the fall. She will major in pre-medicine.
While in high school, Kierstin was a member of the National Honors Society, serving as secretary. She was captain of the volleyball team and was named the District IX MVP. Kierstin has volunteered with Project Helping Hands and Special Olympics.

The annual Dr. John E. Brooks Memorial Scholarship was created in the doctor's memory by his wife Mary Brooks and other family members. The Joseph and Helen Miller Scholarship and the Frances Shope Scholarship were created by the Foundation to honor and memorialize these individuals. If you would like to honor Dr. Brooks or Ms. Shope by contributing to the endowment funds, please contact John Stroup at the Foundation office at 814-226-1257.

Applicants are judged on their motivation and desire to pursue health care careers and on community involvement and academic excellence.