2021/2022 Recipient: Bailey Whittington

We are "re-introducing" Bailey Whittington of Fort Smith, AR, who has been with the Degen Scholarship program since December 2017. Bailey received her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science in 2019 from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She is now focusing on pursuing a degree as a Physician's Assistant at UAMS with plans to graduate in August 2022. A mission trip to Haiti when she was a high school sophomore led her to think the medical field was a good fit for her. We're so glad she took that trip and is following her dreams. We plan to see her in the River Valley area upon graduation!!

2021/2022 Recipient: Elizabeth Hinshaw

Another "repeat" Degen Scholarship award winner is Elizabeth Hinshaw of Fort Smith, AR. She recently graduated with her BS in Speech Language Pathology - and is now pursuing her master’s degree at The University of Tulsa. Elizabeth interned at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith one summer and this helped to "solidify my decision to be involved in the medical community". She plans to graduate in Spring 2022. We look forward to Elizabeth coming back to our community and offer her services as a Speech Pathologist.

2021/2022 Recipient: Rachael Schluterman

Introducing Rachael Schluterman of Charleston, AR as a new recipient of a Degen Scholarship. She is attending UCA to achieve a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology with plans to graduate in August 2022. This bright young lady maintained an overall 4.0 GPA throughout her undergraduate career and works very hard to achieve this goal. She will be a bright and shining star for our area once she becomes a licensed speech pathologist and intends to make a positive impact on her clients' lives - and improve their quality of life. We know she will succeed. Welcome to the Degen Family!

2021/2022 Recipient: Claire Pinter

We are pleased to "re-introduce" Miss Claire Pinter (rhymes with winter!) who is a repeat scholarship recipient. Claire is attending UCA and working towards her master’s degree in Communication Sciences & Disorders and plans to graduate in Summer 2023. This bright and shining star has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her undergraduate years, and we suspect she will continue to do so.  As a child, she experienced several developmental delays and received speech therapy to improve her language abilities. She soon realized how passionate she was to help others communicate effectively. She knows firsthand what a positive impact speech therapy can have on one's life. We cannot wait to see what she does upon graduation. We are so proud of you, Claire!

2021/2022 Recipient: Kylie Howard

Meet Kylie Howard, a new scholarship recipient from Roland, OK. She is working towards her bachelor's degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. She attends UAFS with plans to graduate in Spring 2022. She states on her application that she always planned on working in the medical field. She was the family caretaker when someone got hurt or was sick. Kylie describes herself as hardworking, determined, and caring. She gives her all in everything she does because she is a perfectionist. We know she will make a wonderful sonographer when she graduates, and we plan to see her remain in our area.

2021/2022 Recipient: Bailey Smith

Bailey Smith of Van Buren Arkansas was one of the first recipients of the Crawford County Special High School Degen Scholarships! She has been with our program since 2015. She attends the University of Central Arkansas and will graduate with her Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy in August 2022. We are very proud to have been able to support her in her efforts and know she will be outstanding wherever she lands! She wants to concentrate on hand therapy. She had some great experiences in this area while doing her level 2 fieldwork at Baptist outpatient in North Little Rock and gained even more experience in her second clinical at Hippos & Fish in North Little Rock. We look forward to seeing what Bailey's future holds - and it is going to be very bright. Congrats, Bailey!

2021/2022 Recipient: Anna Grace Chapen

And here is Ms. Anna Grace Chapen of Alma, AR. She is attending the University of Arkansas Fort Smith to achieve her bachelor’s degree in nursing and will graduate in May 2022. Anna Grace's first words on her application were: "I believe my purpose on this earth is to love others. Nursing is an amazing profession that will give me more opportunities to put the needs of others before myself." This is the type of self-less individual that will give her all to the nursing profession and we are truly blessed to have her in our area! We wish you the very best, Anna Grace!

2021/2022 Recipient: Rebecca Warnock

Introducing Rebecca Warnock of Fort Smith, AR who is attending the University of Central Arkansas to achieve a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She plans to graduate in May 2023. She states she has always wanted to be a medical professional because of her desire to help and care for people. Her dream job, after working as an RN for a certain amount of time, would be to go back to school and become a nurse anesthetist. We wish her the best in the future! Welcome to the Degen family, Rebecca.