Scholarship Winners 2009
Aimee Meidinger
Aimee
is currently enrolled at California State University, Fresno majoring in Plant
Science. She is actively involved in Future Farmers of America Organization
which she credits as the inspiration guiding her to her current career goals in
the agriculture industry.
Aimee is currently involved in the Bill Jones Ag One Leadership Development
program. This program has allowed Aimee to be introduced to many leaders in the
agricultural field and state leaders. This past spring, Aimee was the President
for the California State FFA Leadership Conference Committee, which holds the
largest annual conference in Fresno. She is also an active member and Chronicler
of the Alpha Zeta Cal Epsilon Chapter, an honorary society for fellow Ag
students who demonstrate high academic achievement and community service who
join together to form a national fellowship.
Currently Aimee is an intern at the California Apple Commission where she has
had the opportunity to assist with government policies, pest and disease
research, grant writing and public relations. Through this experience Aimee has
found a new passion, to become an instrumental part in the political battle for
water for the San Joaquin Valley farmers.
Lisa Lapsley
It’s
the rare moments in life when you find your true calling, the one thing were
destined to become. Lisa Lapsley had that moment in her life when she was 16
years old and a close friend was diagnosed with Leukemia. Lisa would visit her
friend often and admired from a distance the care and support the Oncology
Nurses would display while helping her friend battle such a devastating disease.
It was this defining moment in which Lisa knew she found her calling to become a
Oncology Nurse and has strived to accomplish that goal ever since.
Lisa is currently enrolled in the Nursing program at Fresno State and has had the great pleasure of volunteering at Children’s Hospital Central California in their Oncology, Nephrology, Endocrinology and Hematology Department where she is now a Pediatric Nurse Extern and also works part time as an Administrative Student Assistant at the California Agricultural Technological Institute. She is a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key International Honor Society, National Student Nurses Association and California Nursing Students Association where she serves as the Fundraising Representative on the board.
In Lisa’s spare time this semester, she decided to follow her passion of helping others and took a trip with the International Service Learning program to provide medical care and education on Malaria to local communities in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Although she says her Spanish has slightly improved from the 3 week journey, her mission is definitely still on track. She will be taking her NCLEX exam in January and is considering returning back to school in August to pursue a degree as a Nurse Practitioner.
Michelle Salas
Michelle Salas currently holds a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Communications
from the University of Southern California. As a communications student, she was
able to intern in theatrical marketing for Buena Vista Pictures Distribution in
which only 10 students were chosen. Also, she was offered a research position at
Gemstar TV-Guide International which is a publicly traded company in technology
licensing. After graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree, Michelle was hired as
Project Manager for a boutique advertising and design agency for the Warner
Brother Harry Potter Property account. There, she co-produced artwork with
creative services and consumer products for home entertainment campaigns.
While working in a highly stressful environment, Michelle felt a “pinch” on the
right side of her brain. This “pinch” was the onset of a severe mental illness
called schizo-affective disorder which is a type of schizophrenia. It is through
her recovery, that Michelle developed a deep compassion to assist those who
battle with mental illnesses. Given that, she decided to apply to the Master’s
Rehabilitation Counseling Program at Fresno State. Michelle said, “Being
knowledgeable about sociological and medical aspects regarding mental illness
and working as an advocate in reducing the stigma is definitely a priority for
me” Michelle’s goal is to graduate from the program and obtain a position
working in mental health, specifically in the area of psychiatric disability.
She believes that with her recovery process and her training, she will be able
to better aid those who battle mental illness.
Sue Vang
Sue
Vang is enrolled in California State University, Fresno Masters of Science
program with an emphasis in Higher Education and is planning to become a high
school counselor upon completion of her studies.
She is an incredible young woman who has continually given back to her community
while attending school. She was a member of the Southeast Asian Teachers
Association, a member of the Sisters of Hmong Empowered, where she coordinated a
Hmong Woman’s Career exploration day, An intern for the College Place, where she
helps advise individuals how to apply for college and financial aid, and
received the Americorps Scholarship and the Central Valley Higher Education
Stipend for the College Place, and is on a Hmong radio show which helps first
generation and elder Hmong people with a variety of subjects to help them adjust
to life in the USA.