As a lifetime member of the Manheim Veterans Memorial Ambulance Association, Bob Stirling was dedicated to making a difference in his community. The Robert C. Stirling Scholarship recognizes local people who share the same mission. Northwest EMS offers the scholarship annually to any resident of the Manheim Central School District who has been accepted into a post-high school education program in the medical field. Applications are being accepted now through Thursday, March 17.
"The scholarships are for post-high school education, so it can be college or a tech or trade school," said Lori Shenk, community outreach manager for Northwest EMS, adding that both current high school students and adults returning to pursue a degree in health care are eligible. Example education paths include nursing, radiology technician or traditional college with a major in a health-care related field.
The scholarship is limited to people living in the Manheim Central School District, but applicants do not need to be students of the school district. "The geographic boundary of Manheim Central School District is because of how the scholarship was founded in 1994-95 with Bob Stirling's affiliation and prominence in the Manheim community and with the Manheim Veterans Memorial Ambulance," Shenk noted. Stirling owned an insurance business and was active in many community and civic activities. After assisting a volunteer ambulance crew at an accident that occurred in front of his home on East High Street in Manheim, Stirling was invited by an ambulance crew member to ride along and assist with the transport of the patient. That invitation led to more than 30 years of service for Stirling with the Manheim Ambulance. Manheim Ambulance merged with Northwest in 2013.
Scholarship applicants will be evaluated on a variety of criteria, including GPA and volunteer or community service. Applications are available at Manheim Central High School, and a link is posted on the Northwest EMS Facebook page. Applications can also be obtained by emailing Shenk at lshenk@nwems86.org or stopping by in person at Northwest EMS, 60 W. Colebrook St., Manheim.
Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded, and Shenk encourages anyone pursuing a career in the medical field to apply. "The application process is fairly simple," she said. "And (the winner's) scholarship money is paid directly to the school in time for the fall semester."
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