Monique Heine
Mount Marty College

My name is Monique Heine and I am in my last semester of nursing school at Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD.  AS I was growing up in Loveland, CO, I always wanted to become a nurse or a school teacher.  Little did I know that teaching is a large part of the nursing career.  I had been working as a CAN for four years when I decided to go back to school in September 2004.  I decided to follow my heart and embrace my god given talent.

I am currently the second vice president at the local chapter at Mount Marty College. I am also the nominations chairperson for the state chapter.  I keep myself busy with activities the nursing club is involved with such as: “ I want to be a nurse” presentations, volunteering time to work at the local community banquet, blood drives, and other activities that help us help others.

With the support of my family, friends, and fiancé, I have strived to do my best resulting in who I am today.  After Graduation, I am looking forward to moving to the Omaha, Nebraska area in June and starting a great new career.  My ultimate goal is to go back to school in a few years to achieve my master’s degree.

Jennifer Anderson
Dakota Wesleyan-Huron

My name is Jennifer Anderson.  I am currently in my last semester of nursing school at Dakota Wesleyan University-Huron site.  I married my high school sweet heart 2 years ago and have a 19-month-old son, Tucker.  Before transferring to DWU, I graduated South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.  I have always enjoyed learning and plan to continue my nursing education to get my BSN.  One of the many reasons I have chosen a career in nursing is the opportunity to continually learn new things.
            I am currently the president of the DWU- Huron Site Student Nurses’ Association, which has given me the opportunity to work closely with the members of the Huron Community to promote healthy lifestyles.  I also voted student representative for my class this year.  I am a nursing assistant at a nursing home, where I have been employed for more than 8 years.  I have also had the opportunity to tutor freshman-nursing students in anatomy, chemistry, and nursing classes.

Michele Thorpe
Presentation College-Aberdeen

It is my honor to represent Presentation College, Aberdeen campus, as a nominee for this award.  The past five years have been filled with dedication and commitment to fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.  With the support of my family, friends, instructors and god, this dream will become a reality in a few short months.

At my side through this journey in life have been my husband, Matt and two children, Kyle-age 13 and Alexius-age 6.  We reside five miles across the South Dakota border in Ellendale, North Dakota, allowing for a commute to school everyday.  In this small community, I have given of my time; volunteering as a NREMT-B, educating the community and its youth in life saving skills as a certified CPR instructor and giving my time as a certified nursing aid at Prince of Peace Care Center and a receptionist at Avera Clinic.

Campus involvement includes being active in PCNSA, serving as parliamentarian and assisting with the various activities held throughout the year.  This past year, I was inducted into the Rho Xi Sigma Theta Tau chapter.  Additional involvement includes being a guest speaker for the past four years educating student nurses on the effects of denial of pregnancy.  I have also had the opportunity to mentor skills in a learning lab setting.

With graduation, the next journey will begin.  As a nurse, I will be able to share my compassion for emergency care at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.  Here, I plan to share my education and life experience with those in need.

Sarah Wiebelhaus
University of South Dakota - Vermillion

My name is Sarah Wiebelhaus.  I am from Fordyce, NE.  I am a senior nursing student at the University of South Dakota.  I am also an active member of the Student Nurse Association.  I am married and have two beautiful boys age 7 and 3.  I work part time as a health coordinator and nursing assistant at Avera Sacred Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota.  I have always wanted to be a nurse, but I never had enough confidence in myself to pursue a nursing degree.   I believe that there is a greater power at work that sometimes presents an opportunity for you to learn what you truly are capable of.  I really enjoy critical care nursing, but I am still unsure what specific field of nursing I would like to work in.  That is the great thing about nursing, there is so much diversity which creates new opportunities for growth.  After realizing that I can achieve a degree in nursing, I see now that the possibilities are endless.

Candice O’Neal
Augustana College

I will graduate in May 2007 with Magna Cum Laude Honors and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Nursing from Augustana College.  My college experience has certainly been a journey.

Dannielle Rathjen
Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell

My name is Danielle Rathjen and I will graduate this May with an AA in nursing and BA in Business Administration.  I grew up on a farm along the James River near Hitchcock, SD. Initially I attended Si Tanka University to study business, however wile working with developmentally disabled individuals, I became drawn to nursing.  After the closing of Si Tanka, it was a relief to find a home a Dakota Wesleyan.  I am involved in our local SNA chapter and also am the lab assistant for freshman nursing students.  It’s rewarding to see the students make progress and to be able to encourage them, knowing it wasn’t too long ago that I was in their shoes.  I am a tutor for the business department as well.
            Outside of school I work as a private home health caregiver.  I have been doing this for almost 3 years and enjoy being able to apply nursing knowledge and concepts.  It’s been a joy building relationships with the individuals I care for and I’ve learned a lot as I have assisted them through the end of life process.  My husband is a new grad is currently looking for employment so for right now I ‘m not really sure where we’ll end up.  Next year I will complete the RN to BAN program through DWU

Renay Silva
South Dakota State University - West River

Hello.  My name is Renay Silva.  I’m an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.  My mother’s name is Elaine Holy Eagle Delores, my grandparents were Catherine Brings Horse Silva and James Silva (Holy Eagle) and my great-grandparents were James and Elizabeth Holy Eagle.  I have two handsome sons who always keep life interesting and challenging.  I’m currently a senior in my last semester of nursing at South Dakota State University - West River.  For many years I’ve experienced the benefits of prevention, such as regular exercise and routine exams and have witnessed the aftermath of diseases in the people around me.  The nursing field is the perfect ways for me to fulfill my desire to provide primary prevention to the community and in particular, the Native American community.  I realize that nurses a well respected role models.  I hope I can be a positive representative of a compassionate nurse to my peers, patients and the community.

Christina G. Schaap
University of South Dakota - Sioux Fall

            My name is Tina Schaap and I am in my final semester in the journey of attaining my AD in nursing from USD in Sioux Falls.  My husband Ross and I have been married for almost four years and we have a very spoiled dog named Harley.  I am currently the local president of our Sioux Falls chapter and shared the role of Parliamentarian last year. I also currently serve on the State Board as the Resolutions Chair.  I have been very active in our Student Nurse’s Association both years of school.
            I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and as a former personal trainer and massage therapist, I have found nursing to be an excellent continuation in my health career path.  Since nursing school doesn’t take up enough of my time, I also work part time at Avera McKennan Hospital as a Health Career Student on the Orthopedic Unit.  The job has provided a great opportunity to put a lot of basic nursing skills to use. I was also fortunate enough to be able to utilize my nursing knowledge and skills in an internship on the Oncology unit at Avera McKennan this past summer. 
            Upon graduation this May, I plan on continuing my education in nursing by attaining my Bachelor’s Degree from SDSU. Ultimately, I would like to work towards my Master’s and become a Nurse Practitioner.   
 

Abby Schlomer
South Dakota State University - Brookings

My name is Abby Schlomer, and I am a senior nursing student at South Dakota State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science and a Degree in Nursing. This past year I have had the opportunity to be the Co-President of the Nursing Student Association of SDSU. I have also been active on the state level by being the Convention Chair for the 2007 NSASD Convention and the Recording Secretary. For the past three years, I have worked at Advance – residential living for people with developmental disabilities. And in November of this year, I decided to switch from a paid employee to a volunteer due to the intensity of the nursing program and my involvement in NSA. Furthermore, I worked last summer as a Professional Development Program Intern for Avera McKennan Hospital on the surgical-trauma unit and enjoyed every day of it. Other than work and school, I have been blessed with an amazing family and wonderful friends. I enjoy spending time with them every chance I get.