Barton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary gave $6,000 in scholarships to students who will be pursuing healthcare careers at a four-year-university this fall.

The annual lunch on Monday at the Tahoe Swiss Chalet in South Lake Tahoe was an opportunity for the four students to receive their awards that were based on academic achievement, leadership qualities, participation in school and community activities. Along with applications letters of recommendation were submitted by the recipients’ professors, teachers and employers.

Scholarship winners are bottom row L-R, Jazmin Zuniga, Sammy Brumbach, Rebecca Sanders and Amy Nielsen. Barton Auxiliary members in the back L-R are, Dick Young, Nancy Muller, Cathy Vogelgesang, Joanne Donmoyer, Judy Cefalu and Marie Foster. Photo/Provided

The winners are:

Amy Nielsen, Lake Tahoe Community College

Like so many confronted with the elimination of their positions in the workplace, Nielsen also faced downsizing in recent years not once, but twice. As a single parent she was faced with the difficult position of supporting herself and the needs of her two teenage sons. Nielson has more than 20 years experience as a certified emergency medical technician. She served eight years in the Army Reserve as a combat medic and has served as a volunteer with the Fernley Volunteer Fire Department.

Nielsen has completed most of her pre-requisites for the nursing program at LTCC while maintaining a 3.80 gpa. Her goal is to transfer to CSU Sacramento or UNR in the fall to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse.

Jazmin Zuniga, Douglas High School

Zuniga maintained a 3.93 gpa at Douglas High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and contributes to school and community service programs including the local suicide prevention network and helped create a support group for teenagers called Living Out Loud. Zuniga’s goal is to become a pediatric nurse. She will attend UNR in the fall.

Rebecca Sanders, South Tahoe High School

Sanders is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and South Tahoe High School cross country and track and field teams. While, maintaining academic excellence she also finds time to volunteer in community events such as Relay for lLfe, Lake Tahoe Marathon and the Kahle Halloween Carnival. Ranked ninth in her class of 278 with a

4.25 gpa, Sanders will attend UCLA in the fall with aspirations of one day becoming a pediatric surgeon.

Samantha Brumbach, Whittell High School

A star athlete at Whittell High School, Brumbach won All-State in track and for being an integral member of the boy’s varsity soccer team. She achieveda 4.33 gpa. Brumbach will enter the nursing program at UNR in the fall. She envisions traveling to Third World countries to help the needy and/or work in a clinic where she can offer healthcare to those who less fortunate.