Hospital volunteers select four scholarship recipients

The volunteers at Upstate Carolina Medical Center have selected four students from 13 applicants to receive hospital scholarships for 2007. They are Kristina Painter, Brittany Mann , Brook Montgomery, all of Gaffney, and Allyn Wong of Inman.

"It was a very hard decision to make," volunteer Mary Bolinger said. "All of the applicants were very good. We just wish we could give a scholarship to everyone who applies. These four, however, were exceptional. Excellent essays, excellent grades and a demonstrated need. Congratulations to them all."

Two of the scholarships were for $1,000 each and went to students pursuing a career in healthcare. Another $1,000 scholarship went to a student who is the child of a hospital employee, regardless of career goals. Those scholarships were funded by the volunteers, primarily through the sale of gifts and snack foods. A special onetime $500 scholarship was donated by the hospital in honor of long-time volunteer Margaret Turner, who retired this year.

Painter is the daughter of Janice Painter of Gaffney. A 2007 graduate of Gaffney High School, she plans to be a nurse and study at the University of South Carolina Upstate. She has a GPA of 3.4, was ranked 44th in her class of 395 students and her SAT was 1480. She received one of the $1,000 scholarships.

"I am very grateful to have received the scholarship from Upstate Carolina Medical Center. This scholarship will help me further my education and eventually enter into the medical field. I have wanted to be a nurse for a long time, and I am excited to begin this new phase of my life," Painter said.

Mann is the daughter of Eddie Mann and Wendy Mann. She is a 2005 graduate of Gaffney High School and is currently a junior studying nursing at the University of South Carolina Upstate. She has a GPA of 3.6 and received the Margaret Turner $500 scholarship.

"I would like to give a big thanks to all of the volunteers at Upstate Carolina Medical Center for voting for me to receive the scholarship money. This money will help me with school on my way to becoming a nurse," Mann said.

Montgomery is the daughter of Crystal W. Montgomery of Gaffney. A 2007 graduate of Gaffney High School, she plans to be an optometrist and will start her post-secondary education at Lander University. She has a GPA of 3.7, was ranked 16th in her class of 395 and her SAT was 1400. She received one of the $1,000 scholarships.

"Thank you so much for awarding me an Upstate Carolina volunteer scholarship. I truly appreciate you all selecting me as a recipient because it in fact benefits me. It benefits my mother and me because we now worry less about how we are to pay for my college education and expenses. Before leaving high school I had a plan for my future success, but lacked a secure plan for paying for college. With the volunteers' scholarship, I can carry on with my plan and stay focused without worry. The aid is truly a blessing in helping me pursue my dream to be a medical eye doctor. Thanks again for being a blessing," Montgomery said.

Wong is the daughter of Steve Wong and Kathy Woodham of Inman. A 2007 graduate of Chapman High School, she will be a student at Elon University this fall, studying journalism and dance. She has a GPA of 3.5311, was ranked 68th in her class of 188 and her SAT was 1530. She received a $1,000 scholarship, awarded to the child of a hospital employee.

"I have often heard my father speak about the volunteers and I have actually met several of them. They are such wonderful people. They give so much and ask for nothing in return. I am so glad to know them and so grateful they are willing to help me with my college education. Thank you. I hope to make you proud of this investment in my future," Wong said.

The hospital volunteers provide at least one scholarship each year. Some years, they provide more than one. Primary funding is through the sale of gifts and snack foods.