SHELTON, WA – This spring, the Mason General Hospital Foundation Auxiliary Guild proudly awarded $20,000 total in scholarship funds to 11 individuals pursuing higher education in medical and computer science fields. Among the recipients were five Shelton High School (SHS) graduating seniors each receiving $2,500, five Mason Health employees each receiving $1,000 and one SHS alum who received $2,500. Auxiliary Guild treasurer Carol Goodburn and president Connie Adams presented the SHS students with their awards at the SHS Awards Night on Thursday, May 16.

The scholarship recipients are:

Shelton High School students:

• Lily Bennett: Bennett will be attending Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. She will be working towards earning her bachelor’s degree in radiographic science to become an X-ray and MRI technician. She graduated Shelton High School with the Highest Honors.
• Carson Bursch: Bursch graduated from SHS with High Honors and plans to attend Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Oregon, to pursue a degree in human health and performance, with an emphasis on exercise science. He would like to earn a doctorate in physical therapy.
• Mariliz Luna: Luna plans to continue her studies at St. Martin’s University in Olympia. She graduated Shelton High School with High Honors and the Seal of Biliteracy.
• Lindsey Ozuna Uriostegui: Ozuna Uriostegui will be furthering her education at Gonzaga University in Spokane. She is interested in health care administration. She graduated Shelton High School with the Highest Honors and the Seal of Biliteracy.
• Alexandra Ramirez-Villa: Ramirez-Villa will be completing her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. She graduated Shelton High School with the Highest Honors and the Seal of Biliteracy.

Mason Health employees:

• Linda Cook, Medical Assistant-Certified: Cook is excited to further her education at Clover Park Technical College for nursing.
• Morgan Elissalde, Laboratory Assistant: Elissalde is pursuing her bachelor’s in science degree in nursing at Olympic College and complete the ASCP Medical Lab Technician certification.
• Iris Hilburger, Volunteer Coordinator: Hilburger will be enrolling this fall at South Puget Sound Community College to complete prerequisites to start a nursing program in 2025.
• Zoe Rondello Reim, Radiology Tech Aide: Rondello Reim will be studying to become a surgical technician at Clover Park Technical College.
• Julia Solano Martinez, Patient Access Specialist: Solano Martinez is pursuing a nursing degree. She received this award in 2022 and 2023.

SHS alum:

• Evan Marshall: Marshall is studying computer science at the University of Washington.

The Mason General Hospital Foundation Auxiliary is a chapter of Mason General Hospital Foundation. Since 2018, the Auxiliary has awarded $127,000 in scholarships. The Auxiliary raises funds through scholarships and proceeds from the MGHF Auxiliary Gift Shop at Mason General Hospital.

Mason General Hospital Foundation furthers the mission of Public Hospital District No.1 by enhancing the quality of health care enjoyed by patients of Mason County. MGHF provides financial support to Mason Health.

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