2021/2022 Recipient: Malorie Radley

Introducing Malorie Radley from Ozark, AR who is a new recipient of a Degen Scholarship. Malori has her Associates's degree in radiology and was accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith with plans to graduate in May 2023. She credits her mother with teaching her that hard work and dedication are key to being successful in life. She states she is very family-oriented and dedicated to her studies. She is currently working at the Johnson Regional Medical Center in Clarksville for the summer. Once she graduates, she plans to work in the Fort Smith area and would love to join an OB/GYN practice. We wish you the best of luck, Malorie! 

2021/2022 Recipient: Courtney Young

Courtney Young of Mulberry, AR is a new Degen Scholarship recipient who received her AAS in Radiography at UAFS and just got accepted into their Diagnostic Medical Sonography program! She plans to graduate in May 2023. Courtney has two sisters who are nurses, which inspired her to choose a career in the medical field. Being that she liked anatomy and learning about the body and how it work and functions, radiography was a perfect fit for her. She describes herself as being a "very determined person" who has done well academically all of her life. This young mother of two (a seven-year-old daughter and a six-week-old son!) will do very well and after graduation, hopes to secure a position as an Ultrasound Technologist in this area. We have a great feeling she will succeed!

2021/2022 Recipient: Bethany Haney

Bethany Haney of Charleston AR is attending Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, MO get her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She plans to graduate in May 2023. She let us know that one of the projects she was assigned in 7th-grade careers at Charleston was to job shadow a profession she was interested in. As she had no clue at that point what career she wanted to work towards, her father suggested that she    shadow a Pediatric Physical Therapist. After she did this, she found her love for the field of physical therapy. She plans to come back to the Fort Smith area to give back to her community as a Physical Therapist. We can't wait to see what she does next!! 

2021/2022 Recipient: Cole McCrary

And here is a third-round scholarship recipient Cole McCrary of Muldrow, OK. Cole has been a part of the "Degen Family" since 2019 and will graduate with his doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy in May 2022. Cole is an American Indian who enjoys spending time with his family. And speaking of family, he will be starting his own next June by marrying Allie Henshaw, also of Sequoyah County. On his initial application, Cole stated that "after graduating from the OU College of Pharmacy, it is 100% my plan to return to Sequoyah County to live and work in this area." We certainly hope you do just that, Cole! Congratulations to you and Allie on your upcoming marriage! 

2021/2022 Recipient: Mikaela Pschier

We are pleased to introduce Mikaela Pschier of Greenwood AR. She is working towards her bachelor’s degree in Sonography to become an Ultrasound Tech from UAFS in May 2022 after receiving her associate degree in Radiology this past year. This focused young woman currently works for Mercy Convenient Care to gain knowledge and provide great care to patients. Her ultimate goal is to become an active member of the military as it would give her great pleasure to do what she loves, help serve her county, and help soldiers in medical need. She would like to stay in the area after graduation.

2021/2022 Recipient: Jillian Swain

Another recent Degen Scholarship recipient is Ms. Jillian Swain who currently lives in Russellville AR while she attends UCA. Jillian is a BSN who is working towards her Family Nurse Practitioner degree. She plans to graduate in May 2023. She is currently employed in the Covid ICU at UAMS in Little Rock, AR. She and her husband, Blake, attended County Line High School and they want to return to Branch, AR after completing their schooling. This bright and very determined young woman will make an excellent FNP and we will welcome her back to the area.

2021/2022 Recipient: Reema Gopal

Introducing Reema Gopal of Van Buren, AR as a new recipient of a Degen Scholarship. Reema attends the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Eleanor Mann Nursing School and will graduate in December 2021. She was accepted into the nursing program early and is currently employed at Mercy in Rogers, AR as a patient transporter. She wanted to familiarize herself with the hospital and gain experience at the same time. She does plan to return to Fort Smith after graduation in order to secure a position where she can work with children - which is her passion. We cannot wait to see her smiling face somewhere in our area!