Altrusa International of Hermiston has named four women as recipients of the Linda Gilleese Memorial Scholarship.
To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled in a post-high school program and be two-thirds finished with the program.
The recipients are:
- Cristal Artz, a third-grade teacher at Desert View Elementary School in Hermiston. Artz subbed in Hermiston for two years before being hired. She attends Western Governors University where she is working toward her master’s in teaching. She received $1,000 from Altrusa.
- Kelly De La Cruz, who also attends Western Governors University where she is working toward a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She is a graduate of Hermiston High School where she became interested in accounting and hopes to be hired by a local firm. She said her goal is to be a role model for both her young daughter and her brother, whom she is raising by herself after her mom passed away from cancer. De La Cruz received $500 from Altrusa to pursue her education.
- Mariana Macias, who attended HHS as well as Blue Mountain Community College. She is currently a senior at Portland State University with a major in accounting and a minor in Spanish. She is attending school and working full time to cover her living and school expenses. After graduating and interning in an accounting firm, she said she would love to open her own accounting firm. She received $500 from Altrusa.
- Savannah Torres, currently attending Oregon Health Sciences University (OSHU). After graduating, she wants to return to Hermiston to work here as a medical/surgical nurse. She has worked full time at a local flower shop, Sun Terrace, Good Shepherd Hospital, as well as being a CNA at Regency. Torres received $1,000 from Altrusa to continue her education at OHSU.
Next spring, Altrusa will accept applications for the Dorothy Juve Scholarship.
