Nursing Careers at Career High School
Though not natives of New Haven, four YSN students -- Carrie Szejk, Molly Steele, Kipp Bovey, and Mica Muskat -- have established a scholarship fund at Hill Regional Career High School to help graduates go on to nursing school.
The four YSN students, who call themselves the Mountaingales after the pioneer nurse, Florence Nightingale, spent several weeks in the summer 2002 hiking the Long Trail. The nearly 300 mile trail extends from Vermont' border with Massachusetts to it's border with Canada, covering 54 mountains in the process. The Mountaingales carried 30-40 pound backpacks, toting sleeping bags, stoves, food, tents, and first aid supplies. Thanks to the generous contributions of all the Mountaingales' supporters in the Yale and the Greater New Haven communities, these "hiking nurses" have far surpassed their scholarship goal of $5,000 for a total of more than $7,000.
Career High School graduate DawnMarie L. Onofrio (featured above, center), was chosen as the 2003 YSN Mountaingales Scholar. On June 4, 2003, the Mountaingales awarded Dawn a $4,000 scholarship that will go toward defraying the cost of her college tuition. Dawn will also be mentored by Professor Alison Moriarty-Daley, a member of YSN faculty, throughout her academic years.
The Mountaingales intend to institutionalize this initiative. They plan to identify incoming YSN students who will maintain this scholarship fund and continue the strong tradition of collaboration between YSN and the New Haven community.
In addition to aiding local students, by venturing on their trip, the Mountaingales helped to increase awareness about the need to promote nursing careers in a time of a great nursing shortage in the Greater New Haven community and in communities nationwide.
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