Meet the 2023 scholarship recipients

“As a nurse, I plan to continue engaging in patient advocacy and health promotion, both in my hospital shifts and with underserved populations in community health programs. This scholarship means that I can focus my time and resources on the community sooner upon licensure. Without this scholarship, I would have to focus my time (in the form of extra shifts) and wages on paying off loans after graduation, which would postpone my ability to focus on the community. The sooner I am debt free, the sooner I can invest myself wholeheartedly in political action, my community, and professional development.”

Jesse Brinson-Wagner is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) candidate at Spokane Community College and hopes to earn his degree in the spring of 2024. After graduating from nursing school, he would like to gain experience in the ER to develop skills in critical care, psychiatric care, substance use disorder treatment, and health education. In addition to WSNF scholarship funds, Jesse also received a Doug Brant scholarship and was named a Vee Sutherlin scholar.

“With this scholarship money, the burden of financial obligations will be less cumbersome. I know that selecting recipients is not an easy process, and I am honored to be named one. As a nurse, I believe that we continue to better ourselves with more knowledge and the education we gain from our academic endeavors. With that knowledge, we can become better at the bedside, so the patients benefit. Receiving this scholarship will be a big part of that.”

Aubrey Butler works full time at St. Joseph Medical Center–Tacoma and is currently enrolled in the RN–BSN program through Chamberlain University. She hopes to graduate in February 2024. The loss of her father from cardiogenic shock after open heart surgery inspired her to become a nurse. In addition to WSNF scholarship funds, Aubrey received a Doug Brant scholarship.

“This scholarship means the world to me. This means I will be able to focus on my future career as a PMHNP (psych mental health nurse practitioner) by providing mental healthcare to underserved communities instead of stressing on paying back student loans. This scholarship frees up my time and will allow me to give back to my community and provide mental health care for all people. I am truly grateful to WSNF for funding my education!”

Zoë Evans-Agnew is working on her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) at Seattle University, with an anticipated graduation date of June 2025. She comes from a long line of nurses, including her great-grandmother, grandmother, and father.

“Thank you so much to the Washington State Nurses Foundation for extending these scholarships to me. With these contributions, I will strive for my best in my education and in all the lives I touch. With your generosity, I will work to change the world around me for the better and continue to spread love and generosity to others.”

Jamie Felchlin is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the Washington State University College of Nursing, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2024. She wants to be a support and resource for families and patients when they are at their lowest points. In addition to general WSNF scholarship funding, Jamie received a Doug Brant scholarship.

“I am honored to have been chosen for the WSNF scholarship. This scholarship will help me pursue my nursing career without acquiring substantial student debt. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this foundation; it means so much to nursing students.”

Stephanie Guizar is an ADN candidate in the Yakima Valley College Nursing Program, with an anticipated graduation date of December 2023. She is a first-generation college student who has worked as a nursing assistant for eight years before pursuing additional education. Her scholarship was provided by the Central Washington Region Nurses Association and administered by WSNF.

“After reading the email stating that I was accepted to receive the WSNF scholarship as well as the Doug Brant Memorial Scholarship, I was beyond thrilled and called my parents right away! This money will be applied to my tuition at Gonzaga University, which will go a long way in helping me pay for school and continue to focus on my education. I feel extremely fortunate and supported by the Washington State Nurses Foundation, and I cannot wait to hopefully practice my dream profession in this wonderful state!”

Claire Isert is currently enrolled in the BSN program at Gonzaga University. She was inspired to become a nurse by her grandmother, who served as a nurse in the Navy as well as in hospitals and schools. In addition to general WSNF scholarship funding, Claire received a Doug Brant scholarship.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have been chosen for this scholarship. It will alleviate some of my financial burden while I am in school and working part-time, allowing me to focus on learning and professional development. I am so proud to be a member of WSNA because my professional standards align with the values of WSNA. They educate nurses and improve the quality of healthcare for all, which is very important to me. After completing the program, I am excited about fostering social justice and promoting diversity in nursing.”

Jieun Jugao is pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing Practice at Seattle University and plans to graduate in June 2025. She decided to become an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner because she perceives a lack of care and services and would like to advocate for this vulnerable population. In addition to receiving a WSNF scholarship, Jieun was named the Judy Huntington scholar.

“I am thrilled to be selected as one of the recipients of the WSNF scholarship. This assistance toward my education will help me become a pediatric nurse practitioner, a role that will allow me to give back to my community by increasing the health and wellness of children. I look forward to paying this generosity forward throughout my nursing career and would like to express my utmost gratitude to the WSNF for supporting myself and other nurses as we reach our goals.”

Samantha Lengerich is enrolled in the BSN program at the Gonzaga University School of Nursing. Her decision to pursue a career in nursing was based on personal experience with a nurse who had a positive impact on her life during a difficult time. She hopes to obtain a DNP and work as a pediatric nurse practitioner. In addition to general WSNF scholarship funding, Samantha received a Doug Brant scholarship.

“It means so much to me to be able to have the opportunity to work towards furthering my nursing education to provide better care for my patients. Obtaining my BSN will help me be a better leader to my fellow nurses and better advocate for my patients’ care. I also hope that I can inspire and help others to further their nursing education as well.”

Kimberley Melton is in the LPN-BSN program at St. Martin’s University and hopes to eventually complete a DNP in Pediatric Nursing. She has known she wanted to be a nurse since an accident sent her to the hospital for stitches when she was 5-years old. She wants to heal and help others feel better like a nurse did for her.

“I write this to express my honest gratitude for choosing me as one of your WSNF recipients. I was going to drop the fall quarter due to financial constraints before I read your award letter. I could not be more grateful at this moment...My children and I appreciate this a lot.”

Nkechi Ohaekelem is in the nursing program at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, working toward her ADN after more than 11 years as a nursing assistant. Her long-term goal is to earn a master’s or doctorate in nursing. Nkechi was inspired to pursue the nursing profession when she saw the exemplary care her mom received from nurses after she was diagnosed with lymphoma. She was named a Vee Sutherlin scholar.

“Thank you to the WSNF for considering me for these scholarships and for naming me a Vee Sutherlin/Deo Little scholar! Coming from a small rural town in southern Oregon, it is difficult for me to afford the expense of attending a private university in a bigger city. It is an amazing feeling to know that I have support from the nursing community outside of my home state. These scholarships will allow me to achieve my dream of working as a pediatric nurse in the future.”

Ashleigh Panchot is working toward her BSN at the Gonzaga University School of Nursing. She plans to specialize in pediatric or pediatric oncology nursing, ultimately working in a children’s hospital. In addition to general WSNF scholarship funding, Ashleigh received a Doug Brant scholarship and was named a Deo Little scholar.

“Receiving this scholarship will allow me to put all my energy and focus into completing my educational career on a high note and transition smoothly into the profession. Not only does this scholarship relieve my financial burden, but it also tells me I am seen as a leader in our current and future profession, which is such an honor.”

Haven Rainer is in the BSN program at the Washington State University College of Nursing. She hopes to work with mothers and babies, ultimately in a smaller rural hospital, where she can help address disparate access to maternal care. In addition to general WSNF scholarship funding, Haven received a Doug Brant scholarship.

“This scholarship award means a lot to me because it allows me to devote my time and attention to my classes. Working as a full-time nursing student can be very challenging, and receiving this award is incredibly helpful in achieving my goals. I truly appreciate this opportunity that WSNF has offered nursing students.”

Nara Rex is in the ADN program at Seattle Central College and hopes to move into a BSN program after she completes her degree. She is pursuing a career in nursing because she wants to provide understanding and comfort to someone in a tough situation.

“This means an incredible amount to not only me but also my family. I am a single mother of a little boy named Quentin. I am extremely happy that he will watch me achieve this, and I hope he realizes that he can do anything that he sets his mind to as well. Your generous gift helps me show him that. Financial stress and affordability for school is something that weighs on students, and you have helped me relieve part of that stress. I will be able to focus solely on another quarter of my studies, worry free about how I’ll pay for it.”

Courtney Sterling is studying for her ADN at Seattle Central College after working as a tech in an emergency department for almost five years. She was inspired to become a nurse in her childhood and teen years, acting as “nurse” to her grandfather, who was in and out of the hospital. Her goal is to work in an emergency department — this time, as an RN.