ROCHELLE — Recipients of the 2019 Rochelle Community Hospital $1,000 healthcare scholarships were recognized at the annual RCH Auxiliary Volunteer-Scholarship Brunch on April 8.
Seven students received scholarships which included the Ward and Mabel Miller Award, RCH Foundation Nancy J. Babb Award and the Dr. John and Esther Prabhakar Physician Award.

Katherine Bakken
Katherine Bakken will graduate from Rochelle Township High School with plans to attend the University of St. Francis in Joliet this fall. She has been a member of several groups throughout high school including student council, Interact Club and cross country.
“Katherine is a great example of a young lady who is selfless, displays perseverance and determination,” Coach John Dobbs shared.
Katherine has discovered a passion for helping others from the instrumental role her paternal grandparents have had in her life. They instilled values of respect for elders and the importance of family. She has been inspired to become a geriatric nurse to share the comforting bond she has with her grandparents to patients in need of her care.
She was awarded the Ward A. and Mabel T. Miller Award.

Amie Case
Amie Case is currently a senior at Ashton-Franklin Center High School and will be attending Saint Ambrose University in the Fall.
She has had a well-rounded 12 years of involvement in 4-H serving in many officer roles. She has created many new friendships, learned great leadership and become a good public speaker.
According to her high school counselor, Ms. Drew, “Amie has been consistent in her desire to pursue nursing as her career.”

Amie’s love of nursing began at Franklin Grove Living and Rehab where she worked as an activities aide and is now a CNA. She is motivated by the impact staff has on many of the residents and patients they take care of everyday. Amie is passionate about helping others around her and wants to make an impact in her community.

Addison Curtis
Addison Curtis is a senior at RTHS and will attend University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign after she graduates. She has found bioengineering and wants to pursue that as a career.
Curtis has discovered that this could connect her passion for service, her love of technology and curiosity for innovation. She hopes to work within hospitals to develop medical devices and equipment that will benefit both doctors and patients with ease of care, cost and time efficiency. She has participated in numerous academic teams like math, WYSE, speech, student council, National Honor Society and Scholastic Bowl.
Her chemistry teacher, Mr. Campbell stated, “Addison clearly has a strong academic mindset, she also shows perseverance beyond what I usually see in students her age. I know that she’ll thrive, and will rise to whatever challenges face her in college.”

Taralyn Dale
Taralyn Dale is currently a student at Kishwaukee College. She plans to graduate in December with an Associate of Science in nursing.
As a medical professional currently working at RCH in the emergency department and as a home health CNA, Dale wants to better the lives of others through medical intervention, emotional support and compassion. With her work in emergency, she has discovered that she loves the pace and the versatility of patient care. She feels that nursing is a profession that helps people at their most vulnerable state, a field where lives are saved, a position where a loving heart can shine and heal the broken.
She is the recipient of the RCH Foundation Nancy J. Babb Award.

Sawyer Murphy
Sawyer Murphy is the recipient of the Dr. John & Esther Prabhakar Physician Award.
Sawyer Murphy is set to graduate this May from Ashton-Franklin Center High School. He is part of the National Honor Society and attended the Rural Health Careers Camp for two years. Sawyer plans to attend Loyola University to earn his bachelor’s degree before enlisting so he can become a physician.

After speaking with recruiters, Sawyer has determined his best path is to enlist in the National Guard and attend medical school.
Mr. Stauffer, Sawyer’s history teacher shared, “Sawyer’s leadership skills are a huge asset and he displays those skills daily. He is a young man with great character.”

Kelsey Thompson
Kelsey plans to attend Aurora University to pursue a nursing degree after she graduates from RTHS.
She has a strong background of participation being involved in volleyball, cheerleading, WYSE, Key Club and Interact to name a few. She was honored by the Rochelle Rotary Club with a scholarship to attend a National Youth Leadership Forum Medical Camp.
Laurie Pillen, Thompson’s counselor, shared that throughout the past four years she has observed, “Kelsey’s organizational skills and motivated work ethic, her outstanding attitude and her overall academic performance which made her an excellent student.”
She looks forward to starting her career as a nurse so she can put her determination, intelligence and compassion into being the best nurse possible.

Citlaly Villalobos
Citlaly Villalobos is a senior at RTHS and will graduate in May. She wants to pursue a nursing degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the fall.
Villalobos has worked hard to be outstanding academically and gives her best to the school, community and others.
Mr. Welle, Villalobos’ English teacher explained, “Both of her parents migrated to America as teenagers, leaving behind everything and Citlaly is well-aware of her parents’ struggle. She has become a leader in the community and she is driven to succeed for all the right reasons.” He stated, “I am quite confident in her ability to be successful in college and beyond.”