WAYNE – A pair of RHOP recipients have recently been named along with a northeast Nebraska native who was awarded a dean’s of excellence scholarship to attend Wayne State College.
According to a release from WSC, Grace Spieker of Norfolk and Jenna Siefken of Syracuse have been accepted into the Rural Health Opportunities (RHOP) at Wayne State College.
Both will study to become physical therapists at Wayne State College.
Under the RHOP program, the two will receive a full-tuition scholarship at Wayne State College and guaranteed pre-admission to continue their studies upon completion of the prescribed course work at Wayne State College.
RHOP encourages students from rural areas of Nebraska to return to rural settings after graduation to pursue their career. A shortage of rural health practitioners in Nebraska prompted the educational institutions to implement the RHOP program in 1989.
Both are sophomores at WSC as Spieker is majoring in biology/pre-physical therapy while Siefken is majoring in biology with a minor in psychology.
Spieker participates in pre-physical therapy/pre-occupational therapy club, health science club, Newman Club, intramurals and honors program. Siefken participates in Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society, Pre-Physical/Occupational Therapy Club, Health Science Club and Red Cross Club.
Also, Battle Creek-native Riley Seifert has been awarded a dean’s excellence scholarship at WSC. This scholarship is valued at $3,000 per year to continue her education at Wayne State College. Siefert will graduate Battle Creek High School in May 2020 where she participated in volleyball, basketball, track and student council. She also serves as vice president of National Honor Society and is a senior class officer.