NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Three practical nursing students were awarded the Fay Ellen Fosser Scholarship.

 

The Fosser family presented Jennifer Feliciano, Michelle O'Brien, and Rachel Seklar with $500 scholarships at Thursday night's McCann School Committee meeting. 

 

"We are very proud to be part of this program," John Fosser said. "We get so much out of this when we do this every year and meet the candidates so thank you."

 

Fosser, from Clarksburg, graduated from the McCann licensed practical nursing program in 1976. She worked throughout the county as an LPN and eventually became a registered nurse. Fosser passed in 1984 at the age of only 29 and her family established a scholarship in her memory given to students pursuing a job in the health-care field.

 

"The Fosser family established this scholarship in her name in hopes that it will assist others with nursing aspirations," Kristin Steiner, director of student services, said. "On behalf of everyone at McCann we would like to thank the Fosser family for honoring Fay's memory with this generous donation."

 

Steiner said students wrote essays about why they entered the field and what their future plans are.

 

The first recipient, Feliciano, who works in a pediatric medical facility, wrote:

 

"I had the pleasure of working with some of the most selfless people in Berkshire County and it really was about the patient and what they needed. They are the reason I chose to further my education ... I want to help my community more and be a bigger part of those around me."

 

 O'Brien wrote:

 

"Doctors do a good job but who you see and deal with mostly is the nurse. I still believe in nursing care like Florence Nightingale delivered. I wanted to be that nurse that makes the difference in someone's life when they face the toughest time of their life."

 

Michelle O'Brien, who is the daughter of a nurse and a pharmacist wrote:

 

"Growing up, I heard stories told with discretion and respect from them and was immediately and unwaveringly intrigued. Their work sounded interesting, rewarding, and complex and like a lot of fun."

 

The School Committee continued with its regular meeting after the ceremony and voted to make some changes to course offerings and scheduling, clarify some language in the student handbook, and switch to a standard based report card.

 

"It focuses everybody on the standards we are trying to meet so it is a win-win situation," School Committee member Aaron Dean said. "It is a shift that a lot of schools are making and it is time for us to make the shift. It is really important to families and colleges."