The Morris Hospital Auxiliary and Morris Hospital Foundation awarded health care scholarships to 10 students.

Recipients of the $1,000 Auxiliary scholarships are Shanna Eich, Joshua Lardi and Erinn White.

Eich, of Verona, is a 2008 Seneca High School graduate and will attend Joliet Junior College to become a nurse. Lardi, of Coal City, is a 2004 Coal City High School graduate and a student at Southern Illinois University. He is working toward a certification as a radiologic technician, with plans to become specialized in ultrasound. White, of Dwight, is a 2004 Dwight Township High School graduate and is pursuing a degree in clinical laboratory science from Illinois State University.

The Auxiliary presented the $1,000 Maxine Burroughs Nursing Scholarship to Kate Hausken of Morris. Hausken is a 2008 Morris Community High School graduate and will pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing at Olivet Nazarene University.

The Morris Hospital Foundation presented three Carol Harrington Endowed scholarships. These $1,000 scholarships are named after Carol Harrington, former vice president of patient care services who retired from Morris Hospital in January after 43 years of service. Recipients are Christina Crater, Kaitlin McArdle and Travis Peters.

Crater, of South Wilmington, is a 2008 graduate of Gardener South Wilmington High School and will attend Aurora University to pursue a nursing degree. McArdle, of Morris, is a 2008 graduate of Joliet Catholic Academy and will attend the College of Pharmacy and Health Services as a pre-pharmacy student at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Peters, also of Morris, is a 2008 graduate of Coal City High School and will attend Augustana College in Rock Island to pursue a degree in physical therapy or sports medicine.

The Foundation also offers three $1,000 scholarships to hospital employees pursuing health care careers, as well as their dependents. This year, scholarships were awarded to Melissa Budach, Dana Cheshareck and Brandy Sharp.

Budach, of Morris, has worked at the hospital for more than 10 years and is an obstetrical technician in the Family Birthing Suites. She is in Joliet Junior College's nursing program with a graduation date in spring 2010.

Cheshareck, also of Morris, has worked at the hospital for two years and is a telementry clerk and certified nurse assistant in the intensive care unit. She is studying nursing at Joliet Junior College. Sharp, of Channahon, has worked at the hospital since 2006 and is a radiology assistant. She is pursuing a degree as an X-ray technologist at Joliet Junior College.

Eligibility requirements for the scholarships include living in the Morris Hospital service area and enrollment in a hospital-related health care curriculum at an accredited college, university or vocational-technical school. After submitting an application, transcripts, letters of recommendation and an essay, scholarship candidates are selected on demonstrated academic achievement, leadership ability, initiative and participation in work and community activities.