Hope College sophomore Jeana Longoria of Howard City has won one of only six scholarships awarded statewide to Hispanic students by the National Association of Hispanic Nurses-Michigan Chapter (NAHN-MI).
Selection criteria included a letter of recommendation from a faculty mentor and an essay including background information, college and community involvement and goals after graduation. Longoria and the other five recipients will receive their $500 scholarships on Friday, Nov. 7, during the NAHN-MI annual Nursing Scholarship Fundraiser in Detroit.
"Jeana portrays a very enthusiastic and caring attitude toward the nursing profession. Throughout this past semester, she has demonstrated many positive traits such as dependability, accountability, compassion and energy," said Mary Scheerhorn of the college's nursing faculty, who wrote Longoria's recommendation letter. Scheerhorn also praised Longoria's "great creative spirit," noting that she "is a very active participant in class with a refreshingly inquisitive mind."
Longoria is a nursing major at Hope. After graduation, she hopes to work in the emergency department at Spectrum Health Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Her co-curricular activities at the college include the Nykerk Cup competition, including as a member of the sophomore play cast in this year's event, taking place on Saturday, Nov. 8; playing on the junior varsity volleyball team this year; and playing goalie on the women's lacrosse team, which is a club sport at Hope.
Longoria is the daughter of Robert and Dianne Longoria of Howard City. She is a 2007 graduate of Tri-County High School.