Jania Flake

Another “second year “recipient, Ms. Jania Flake of Fort Smith, AR, received a $3,000.00 scholarship to Oklahoma State University where she will receive her MS in Athletic Training in Spring 2025.

Initially, Jania wanted to be physical therapist but realized that athletic training would bring her more fulfillment after witnessing an interaction between an athlete and her athletic trainer.  “The look of relief that came across the athlete’s face (who had an ankle injury) when she saw her entrusted trainer by her side is something I will always remember.”

This dedication to her field will make Jania a most trusted and successful athletic trainer.

Congratulations, Jania!

Perri Efurd Sweet

Re-introducing Miss Perri Efurd Sweet of Fort Smith, AR who received a $3,000.00 scholarship to the University of Central AR where she is pursuing her Masters in Speech Pathology Language Pathology.

Her biggest influence was her mom who practiced as a speech pathologist for 20 years. She found a passion for working with the special needs population after working at Pediatrics Plus one summer. She also volunteers in a special needs ministry at her church.

Being accepted into UCA’s Master’s program was the goal she achieved, and she hopes to use partnerships with other hospitals that UCA has to learn not only about pediatric speech therapy, but medical speech therapy as well.

We are proud to have Perri in our scholarship program! Congratulations!  

Madison Combs 

Here is Madison Combs of Pocola, OK who received a $3,000.00 scholarship to Northeastern State University for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 terms. She is working on her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology and plans to graduate in Spring 2027.

Madison is a “second year” Degen recipient and following in her mother’s footsteps to be in the medical field. She became interested in speech pathology after seeing her 3 year old cousin struggle with learning to talk and communicate verbally and undergoing speech and language therapy – and working with him at home.

She wants to help “children and stroke victims alike” and this is her passion and dream.

We need more people like you, Madison!! Congratulations! .

Gracie Weidman

Please welcome Gracie Weidman of Fort Smith, AR who received a $3,000,00 Scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas for the Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 terms. She is working towards her MS in Communication Sciences Disorders and plans to graduate in Fall 2026.

Gracie related that as a child she was very reserved and scared to speak up in large group settings. She felt that her opinion rarely outweighed her fear of a negative response from peers, which played a part in her wanting to become a speech-language pathologist. “The idea of having a career where she can help clients’ development and to grow their confidence communication brings her much hope and joy.”

It is people like Gracie that will make a difference in people’s lives. Congratulations, Gracie!  

Averett "Avery" Phillips

Introducing Ms. Avery Phillips of Fort Smith, AR.  She received a $2,000.00 scholarship for the 2024 Fall – 2025 Spring Semesters to the University of Arkansas Fayetteville and will graduate in Winter 2025 with a BSN degree.

Avery has always had her mind set on pursuing a career in the medical field and looked up to her mom who was in the nursing field for 30 years. Her mom recently opened her own clinic in Fort Smith.  After graduation, Avery plans to work for a few years in Arkansas then go back to school to gain a MSN degree. Her “end goal” is to be a nurse practitioner in family practice and work at her mother’s clinic.

We have an incredibly good feeling that this young woman will achieve her goals!

Martin Nunez, Jr.

Meet Martin Nunez, Jr. of Alma, AR. He received a $2,000.00 scholarship to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 term, where he is working on his BSN degree. He will graduate in Spring 2026.

This first generation college student became interested in nursing after taking his girlfriend to the ER for a hypertensive crisis and was “amazed at the nurses quick decision making and professional care.”

He did notice there were no Hispanic healthcare workers in sight; this worried him as this  is the second largest ethnicity in Fort Smith. And being able to communicate efficiently is so important. This prompted him even more to achieve this goal.

We know he will be a great nurse! Congratulations, Martin!  

Anna Lee

Meet Anna Lee of Van Buren, AR who received a $3,000.00 scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas, where she is working on her MS degree in Communication Sciences Disorders with plans to graduate in Fall 2026.

Anna volunteered and job shadowed at the Gregory Kistler Treatment Center as a freshman in high school. She found that watching the therapists connect with the kids they serviced and the excitement of the kids learning communication goals inspired her to become a pediatric speech therapist.

This bright young woman will achieve her goals. Congratulations, Anna!  

Olivia Jones

Introducing Miss Olivia Jones of Arkoma, OK who received a $2,000.00 Scholarship to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith where she is working towards her AAS degree in Radiography, and will graduate in Spring 2025.

This vivacious young woman wants to make a difference in people’s lives and work in a career that she can be passionate about; also, she notes she has a “constant need to learn and develop as a person.”

This is the type of person that one would want to have taking care of them. We feel that Olivia will have a wonderful career in the radiography field. Congratulations, Olivia!

Ashlynn Flute

Meet Miss Ashlynn Flute of Muldrow, OK who received a $2,000.00 scholarship to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith! She will graduate in Spring 2025 with her BS degree in Dental Hygiene.

The UAFS Dental Hygiene program only accepts 16 applicants per year and Ashlynn felt chosen for a reason – and “it has clearly shown me that this is what I am called to do in life.” So far, she has learned that the oral cavity can show you beyond what someone’s overall health looks like and wants to make sure her patients know that taking care of their oral hygiene can improve overall health.

After graduation, she plans to work at a Cherokee Nation-established clinic. Look at Ashlynn’s beautiful smile! We believe she will be an excellent dental hygienist!  Congratulations, Ashlynn!

Sheniah Balagtas

Introducing Miss Shaniah Balagtas of Barling, AR. She is new to the program and received a $2,000.00 scholarship to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith where she is working towards her BSN degree. She will graduate in Spring 2025.

Currently she works as a Patient Care Technician at Baptist Health in Fort Smith. After graduation, she hopes to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, but also is interested in working with children and going into pediatric nursing.

This bright young woman describes herself as a driven individual and perfectionist. We feel that she will be a great nurse! Congratulations, Shaniah!