Olivia Thomas, a member of the Class of 2021 at Dundee Central School, has been awarded the Ruth Soules Scholarship. Ruth (Allen) Soules’ family established the scholarship in her memory to be awarded to a Dundee Central School graduate planning to pursue a career in nursing or other health care-related field. Thomas will attend SUNY Corning Community College, with a long term goal of pursuing a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.
During her high school career, Thomas was consistently on the honor roll, and in her junior and senior years, she completed Gemini classes in Spanish, Psychology, English, Economics, Math of Money and Government.
Thomas was Class President for the 2019-2020 school year and she participated in many extracurricular and community activities including National Honor Society, Art Club, Big Brother Big Sister, and Creative Writing Club. Her peers honored her by selecting her to be included in the Natural Helpers program, which shows students how recognize serious problems and to seek adult and expert help. Thomas effectively juggled her studies, activities and community involvement while working, part time, throughout high school.
The $1,000, one-year scholarship memorializes Ruth Soules who received her licensed practical nursing (LPN) degree from the Marion S. Whelan School of Practical Nursing at Geneva General Hospital, Geneva. The scholarship is awarded annually to a Dundee Central School graduate who plans to attend the Marion S. Whelan School of Practical Nursing in Geneva, or secondarily, another nursing school, or thirdly, pursuing another health care related career.
The scholarship, which is administered through the Finger Lakes Health Foundation, is awarded on the basis of academic achievement, participation in school and community activities, commitment to a career in healthcare services and recommendations.
The Finger Lakes Health Foundation encourages area residents and organizations to support the Ruth Soules Memorial Scholarship through their financial gifts. To make a contribution to the scholarship, send a check, payable to the Finger Lakes Health Foundation, to the Foundation Office, 196 North Street, Geneva, NY, 14456. Note that the gift is for the Ruth Soules Memorial Scholarship on the check. Or, donate online: https://www.flhealth.org/make-a-donation/. Please direct questions to: (315) 787-4050.