“I think that nursing is a very rewarding career, and I can’t imagine doing any other type of work,” Miss Breier wrote in her application essay. “I knew, even when I was younger, that I wanted to be in a professional career where I was able to help people. Health care is the perfect field for me.”
Miss Breier was the valedictorian of the 2012 graduating class at the Ridgway Area High School. While a student, she was a member of the school’s National Honor Society. She earned placement on the school’s High Honor Roll and went to All State. She also played volleyball and basketball. She was also active in the school’s Spanish Club and took a 12-day trip to Spain with her Spanish class. She was a member of the Varsity Club, the Model United Nations, and the Prom Committee.
Miss Breier was inspired to be a nurse by those who cared for her great-grandparents toward the end of their lives.
“When I would spend time visiting my great-grandparents, I would also talk to the nurses and try to understand everything that they were doing,” Miss Breier wrote. “I always admired the way they treated everyone and the interest and care that they had for each patient.”
The Kathryn Kilhoffer Walsh Scholarship Award for Nursing is granted to a deserving student whose intention is to enroll in an accredited school of nursing to complete a course of study as a Registered Nurse or as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
To be eligible for the scholarship, the student must reside within the Ridgway area and must have attended either Ridgway Area High School or Elk County Catholic High School. The applicant’s scholastic achievements, extracurricular activities, contributions to their school and the financial needs of the applicant's community and/or church are also considered in the selection process.
The Kathryn Kilhoffer Walsh Scholarship Fund honors its namesake, Kathryn Kilhoffer Walsh. Kathryn, the daughter of Emil and Emma Kilhoffer, was born and raised in Ridgway. She graduated from St. Leo’s High School in 1930 and studied nursing at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, graduating in 1933. She returned to Ridgway to live and work as a nurse. Most of her career work was performed at Elk County General Hospital, where she was employed until her retirement in 1973. She died in July 1987.
Individuals who are interested in contributing to this scholarship fund may do so by sending their donation to the Elk Regional Health System Foundation, 763 Johnsonburg Road, St. Marys, PA 15857.
Miss Breier is the daughter of Deborah Breier of Ridgway and Carl Breier of Bonita Springs, Fla.
Photo: From left are Deborah Breier; Nicole Breier, the recipient of the 2012 Kathryn Kilhoffer Walsh Nursing Scholarship; Gregory P. Bauer, the President and CEO of Elk Regional Health System; and Sam MacDonald, the Director of Business and Fund Development at Elk Regional.
