SCHOLARSHIP WINNER!

JOANN BEGLEY, HEALTHCARE ADVOCATE!

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Joann Begley has been a phenomenally busy young lady over the past four years. Her catalogue of academic and extracurricular activities is overflowing with accomplishments that include: her membership in numerous musical endeavors, athletics, various elite clubs, including Beta Club, Key Club, Student Council, and Class Representative.

Her plentiful work experience reflects the image of an industrious young woman who realizes that "talent without hard work is a tragedy." She managed to juggle a minimum of four part-time jobs while achieving and exceeding academic goals;

GPA of 4.3, ACT 31, class ranking of 7 out of 283. Armed with these sterling tri-umphs, she is preparing for a journey to reach even loftier pinnacles, choosing to pursue a nursing career at The University of Tennessee or Clemson, in South Caro-lina.

"Many people often ask me why I want to be a nurse. The easy answer is that I want to help people," says Joann, with altruistic fervor. She adds a more complex answer.

"For years I have seen how healthcare providers have treated my family, especially my Grandfather. He fell and was treated at an emergency room, where they sent him home with no tests, telling him "It happens with old age." The following day he fell again and passed away a couple of hours later. My family and I have met our fair share of health providers who lack any sort of compassion," says Joann, who hopes that her nursing experience will be the impetus for running her own clinic someday. "There is an absence of compassion in many aspects of healthcare, and I hope one day to help change that and create a positive environment for patients."