Scholarships Awarded to Santa Cruz, Aptos and Watsonville Youth From Dominican Hospital

News from Dominican Hospital:

Santa Cruz High School graduate Breanna Esche and Harbor High School graduate Jade Lau, both 18, have received $1,000 scholarships from the Dignity Health Dominican Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary.

They, and three other local high school graduates who have volunteered their time at Dominican Hospital, were named as 2015 Dominican Hospital Junior Scholarship winners.

· Breanna Esche, 18, Santa Cruz High School

· Jade Lau, 18, Harbor High School

· Jacob Gonzalez, 17, Monte Vista Christian School

· Rachael Ronzano, 18, Aptos High School

· Isabelle Shahmirza, 18, St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School

These students were required to demonstrate a minimum of 150 volunteer hours, have a GPA of at least 3.0, and plan to study a health-related career curriculum at an accredited academic institution.

“Our junior volunteer program gives local high school students the opportunity for exploration of their interest in the medical field,” said Sherry Luttrell, volunteer services coordinator at Dominican Hospital. “Through the annual junior scholarship awards, we hope to help these bright young individuals to turn that interest into a meaningful health care career.”

Funds for the awards are established through Dominican Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary fundraisers and outside donations to the Dominican Hospital Foundation. The Dominican Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary has been awarding Junior Scholarships each year since 1970, and has awarded more than $70,000 to 105 qualifying junior volunteers over that time.

About Dominican Hospital
Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has been caring for the Santa Cruz County community for more than 70 years. Dominican offers emergency services and is a Certified Stroke Center and Chest Pain Center. To learn more, please visit our website: www.DominicanHospital.org.