2008 Scholarship Winner
After graduating from Western Iowa Tech Community College in 1993 with an associate’s degree in architecture, Amy Chan is now continuing her education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business at Bellevue University. She plans to attain her master’s degree in architecture at Iowa State University in 2012.

 

My goal is to graduate and financially sustain a scholarship fund in memory of my son,” said Amy.

A single mother, Amy lost her 16-year-old son, Tyler, in a tragic accident in 2007. The college funds she had saved for herself and her son were used to pay for his funeral.

Receiving this generous gift will ensure my educational goals are realized; therefore, a scholarship in memory of my son can be established and awarded annually,” said Amy. “I anxiously anticipate the day Tyler’s scholarship will be awarded; thus continuing the chain of making dreams come true for future Siouxland generations.”

Amy currently works for Cannon Moss Brygger & Associates as an autocad technician. She hopes to work her way up the corporate ladder to become a partner in the architecture firm.

Amy has worked extensively as a volunteer for the United Way and currently leads a grief support group that meets monthly at the Morningside College Learning Center.

Amy was chosen from a field of 19 applicants reflecting a cross-section of the Siouxland region and several colleges and universities. While everyone was a deserving individual, the selection process selected five candidates from the 19 and then three were chosen for personal interviews.

2007 Scholarship Winner

Carla Jo Morgan of South Sioux City, Nebraska, is the recipient of the 2007 SPWN scholarship.

After a 28-year break in her education, Jo is currently pursuing her bachelor of science degree in nursing at Briar Cliff University.

Jo worked as a medical assistant for 15 years and at Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 17 years. A displaced farm wife with an empty nest, she wanted to obtain a "purposeful goal" to serve society. She chose to become a hospice nurse after experiencing the drastic need for home hospice care while caring for her aging parents.

After graduation, Jo plans on working in home health care to help families keep their loved ones in their homes as long as possible.

Jo was chosen from a field of 22 applicants reflecting a cross-section of the Siouxland region and several colleges and universities. While everyone was a deserving individual, the selection process selected five candidates from the 22 and then three were chosen for personal interviews.

2006 Scholarship Winner
Kriste Anderson has been very involved in the community for a number of years, working with Head Start and other activities to support children and families. Some time back, Kriste was not able to apply for a position because she was not a registered nurse. Rather than be discouraged, Kriste saw that as a sign to enter an RN program, and with the support of her family, she is on her way. Being fluent in Spanish, Kriste is confident that as a registered nurse she can continue to give to the Siouxland communities.

Kriste is a first year student at St. Luke's College. She was thrilled to be selected and could not wait to tell her two daughters, who have supported her efforts in returning to school.

Kriste was chosen from a field of 16 applicants reflecting a cross-section of the Siouxland region and several colleges and universities. While everyone was a deserving individual, the selection process selected five candidates from the 16 and then three were chosen for personal interviews.

Several people deserve thanks in this project — the SPWN membership for supporting the idea of offering an annual scholarship and the scholarship committee for developing the criteria, reading through all the submissions, developing a workable process and providing feedback for next year's endeavor.