Scholars
June 15, 2012 3:52PM
Sandy Valdes (center), a registered nurse at Morris Hospital, was presented the Betty J. Sterritt Nursing Scholarship through the Morris Hospital Foundation by Erin and Doug Sterritt and other members of the Sterritt family. | submitted photo
Updated: July 18, 2012 6:06AM
Nurse awarded scholarship
MORRIS — Sandy Valdes of Morris was selected as the first recipient of The Betty J. Sterritt Nursing Scholarship through the Morris Hospital Foundation. The scholarship was established in memory of the former Morris Hospital nurse manager who died in 2010.
Valdes, a nurse at Morris Hospital who was hired by Sterritt, was selected by a committee of Sterritt’s family and peers after completing a formal application process.
Betty Sterritt’s son, Doug Sterritt, and his wife Erin, an ICU nurse at Morris Hospital, presented Valdes with a dozen roses before making remarks.
“Along with her role as a nurse on 2 South, Sandy is raising a family and also volunteers for numerous initiatives to address the health needs of the local Spanish-speaking community,” Sterritt said. “Her peers describe her as compassionate and caring — someone who continually goes beyond the requirements of her job to do what is right for her patients. But the greatest testament to Sandy’s character is that my mother held her in high regard.”
Valdes said she wants to lead by example and hopes to inspire others to go back to school, just as Sterritt inspired her to do.
The Betty J. Sterritt Nursing Scholarship is valued at $2,000 and will assist Valdes in the pursuit of a bachelor of science degree in nursing. She expects to complete her degree from Benedictine University next summer.
Eighth-grader wins scholarship
PLAINFIELD — St. Mary Immaculate School eighth-grader Matt Ratajczyk won the CCW Bishop Blanchett Scholarship. He plans to attend Montini Catholic High School in Lombard.
The scholarship was established in 1982 to honor the late Bishop Romeo Blanchette.
For information about the scholarship, visit www.dioceseofjoliet.org/ccw/scholarships.asp.
Lincoln-Way East students honored
FRANKFORT — Nearly $100,000 in academic scholarships were awarded to 112 Lincoln-Way East High School seniors.
The scholarships, which were offered by community members, organizations and businesses, were presented during a Scholarship Awards Night ceremony at the school.
“The generosity of those represented helps our students understand the importance of giving back to others and their community,” said Principal Scott Tingley.
The evening began with a buffet dinner catered by Enrico’s Italian Dining and sponsored by Old Second Bank, LincolnWay Community Bank and GCA Services Group.
Among those honored were the school’s 2012 valedictorian Xue “Shirley” Zhan, a National Merit finalist; salutatorian Jessica Meaux; National Merit Commended Scholars Steven Adamitus, Regan Brown, Katherine Garbaciak, Thomas Kadela, Courtney Marin, Andrea Rogers and Nicholas Schreiner; and National Achievement Scholarship Program Outstanding Participant Masayoshi Haynie.
