OUTSTANDING NURSING STUDENT CANDIDATES 2003 Alicia Kilstrom ~ DWU        I was born and grew up in Mitchell, South Dakota. I went to school at the University of South Dakota to study mass communications. I graduated with a B.A. in 1996. After graduation, I moved to Denver. However, it didn’t take me long to decide that big city life and my career choice were not working out. I moved back to Mitchell and have been here since then.        I have worked at the Mitchell Area Adjustment Training Center for five years, and I really love my work there. I started as a fulltime instructor and was promoted to supervisor at a residential facility. Through my experiences there, I realized that I wanted to be able to do more in taking care of people. I decided to go back to school for nursing. I have continued to work at the Training Center part-time while going back to school.        I married my wonderful husband, Seth, in September 2000 and became stepmother to Jacob, now eight years old. The same month I made the monumental decision of going back to school, I found out that Seth and I were expecting to become parents once more! I wasn’t sure if I should still go back to school one week after Emily was born. But, I’m glad I stuck to my goals and now I will be done this spring. It is so exciting. I have had a lot of support from my family, for which I am extremely grateful.        When I’m not studying or working, I enjoy spending time with my family most of all. I also like to garden, read, and bake. I have served as secretary for our Student Nurses Association at Dakota Wesleyan and have been involved in SNA activities. I also volunteer for the Girl Power program through the YWCA.        I am looking forward to graduation and beginning a new career in nursing. I feel fortunate that nursing will provide me with various opportunities and stability in providing for my family. Bridget Moore ~ USD-Vermillion        I am Bridget Moore. I presently live in Tabor, SD. I am a senior nursing student and will also receive my Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. My fellow students at USD selected me for the Outstanding Student Nurse Award. I am presently the President of the USDSNA in Vermillion, being a member of that organization and the NSASD and the NSNA. I am also a member of the National Right to Life Comm., Inc.        I am married to Benji and have two daughters, Regan and Tori. My hobbies include remodeling my home, reading and spending time with my family. My goals after graduation are to work at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, earn a BSN degree and eventually a Master’s Degree in Nursing. David Graber ~ Mount Marty College        Hi! My name is David Graber. I’m a Senior Nursing Student at Mount Marty College. I have been active in Mount Marty College’s Student Nurse Association for the past four years and this year I am the treasurer of our club. Our NSA has given me wonderful opportunities to work on nursing projects and learn to know my fellow students better.        Last summer I was very fortunate to have been selected to be an intern at Sioux Valley Hospital’s ICU. This wonderful opportunity along with insight from my MTMC nursing professors has inspired me to become an ICU nurse after graduation this May.        Along with becoming a nurse, I own and operate my family farm where I raise corn, soybeans, grapes and a few cattle. The things that are most important to me are my wife, Cindy, and my children Elliot, 18, Michael, 15, Ashley and Audrey, 12. My wife and I stay very busy keeping up with their activities. I find meaning in my life being involved in our church where I am presently involved as a youth teacher and a Sunday morning greeter. With the little extra time I do have, I like to work in my one acre vineyard, archery hunt, and golf. Jeanne Neifer ~ Presentation College        Hello! My name is Jeanne Neifer and I am a senior baccalaureate-nursing student at Presentation College in Aberdeen, SD where I also reside. I am a member of PCNSA, NSASD, NSNA, and NCF. I currently hold two offices in NSASD as 2003 Convention Chair and Pacemaker Editor and was the 2001-2002 Corresponding Secretary. Offices I have held for PCNSA include sophomore class representative and recording secretary. I have been active in a number of PCNSA activities such as the annual Children’s Health Fair, Angel Tree, Blood Drive, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, the Lions mobile health unit, and the Brown County Red Cross. I completed an internship this summer at Sioux Valley Hospital in the ER department and enjoyed putting my skills to use in the fast pace environment that is typical of the ER!        My hobbies include crocheting, playing piano, reading, and spending time with friends and family as much as possible. Future plans after graduation includes working at a Sioux Falls hospital and attending SDSU to work toward a Master’s degree in Nursing. My goal is to teach at a college or university in South Dakota and continue to be involved in NSASD as an advisor. Other activities include serving as a “Big Sister” in the CASA mentor program, assisting my 4-H club as an alumni leader, and being active in the Eureka Reformed Church. My parents are John and Cindy Neifer of Eureka, SD. I have a sister Carmen, a senior at SDSU majoring in Mass Communications with an emphasis on Broadcast Journalism and a brother Travis, a senior at Eureka High School. My family and friends have been my biggest supporters and have encouraged me to follow my dreams. God has given me many blessings and the chance to give back to others as a nurse. Tracy Fiegen ~ SDSU        My name is Tracy Fiegen and I am currently a senior at South Dakota State University. I am originally from a small farm by Dell Rapids, SD. Nursing is something I have wanted to do for as long as I can remember and I have done all that I can to ensure I reach this goal. In the meantime, I have lived life with color and zest, becoming involved in many student organizations. Some of my involvement includes New Student Orientation, Admission Ambassadors, Student Association, and most importantly, the Nursing Student Association at SDSU. All of these organizations have benefited my nursing career in many ways, enabling me to meet many people and learn about our true culture here in South Dakota.        My nursing career started out in a nursing home, and eventually took me to the Emergency Department at Avera McKennan Hospital last summer. After graduation this May, I will be leaving the state to go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. There I will work on a variety of floors as part of the Float Team. I have enjoyed all areas of nursing and found it difficult to choose a favorite. As part of the Mayo float team, I will be able to work in a variety of settings. I would like to eventually return to an Emergency Department, and then on to graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in nursing. Kori Lemler ~ Presentation College        Hi! My name is Kori Lemler. I am a senior Associate Degree nursing student in Presentation College's SEED (Skills Enhancement and Education through Distance Learning) program. I am taking classes via video-conferencing from Mobridge, SD (18 miles from my home in Selby). I have traveled to Pierre and currently travel to Aberdeen for clinical experiences. It has been an interesting two years.        I work at the Mobridge Regional Hospital in lab, x-ray and as a surgical technician. The SEED program has given me the opportunity to work and attend school to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a nurse.        I have a wonderful husband, Donel, and we have two children Michael and Tricia, both in college. We lost our younger son, Charlie in 1997 in a drunk driving accident.        I am a Red Cross blood-drive volunteer, a certified Easter Seals Respite caregiver and Lion's Eye Bank eye enucleator. I am a proud member of NSNA, MADD (Mother's Against Drunk Drivers), ASTA (American Surgical Technology Association) and the ASCP (American Society of Clinical Pathologists). I am active in my church and serve on various UCC committees.        When there's time for hobbies I love to read, do needlepoint and spend time with people. I have made so many new friends and become "young again" through the eyes of a new education. I feel truly blessed by the opportunities I have received and am anxious to give back through my nursing. Jenny Marler ~ SDSU-Rapid City        My name is Jenny Marler. I am a senior nursing student at South Dakota State University in Rapid City. Originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin, I moved to South Dakota with my husband, Josh, about 5 years ago and began college. I have worked as a health unit clerk at Rapid City Regional hospital for the past 5 years. This experience has been extremely beneficial to my being successful in nursing school. I have one younger sister, Beth, who is currently in college at La Crosse. My parents, Todd and Connie, also live in Wisconsin. Eventually, I hope to return to school to pursue a Master’s degree either as a Nurse Practitioner or a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead in these specialty areas!