Tri-County's Student Nurses Association
Captures
14 of 37 Awards at State Convention
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/19/2004
CONTACT: JANET FULLER, EXT. 1343
(By Lisa Garrett)
PENDLETON --- Tri-County Technical College's Student Nurses Association
captured 14 of the 37 awards handed out at the organization's State
convention, and the College's chapter president came home $1,000 richer
by winning two prestigious awards.
Tri-County's SNA President Susan Fago, of Seneca, was one of two State
members who received the $500 Leadership in Service scholarship from
the S.C. League of Nursing. The scholarship is based on academics and
participation in SNA activities throughout the year. She also received
a $500 Who's Who of S.C. SNA Award and was elected Breakthrough to Nursing
Director on the State level.
"I was shocked and excited," said Fago. "My husband
was very proud and jokingly told me I should attend more conventions.
Seriously, he knows how hard I work and how important college and SNA
are to me. He was very proud."
Two other seniors and Tri-County SNA officers captured major awards
at the convention.
Dawn Hardin, of Anderson, who serves as the Tri-County's SNA treasurer,
also received a $500 Who's Who of S.C. SNA Award.
Wanda Durham, of Liberty, who is SNA secretary, received the Outstanding
Community Health Participant award. The chapter nominated her for the
award, which is based on the individual's participation and impact on
multiple community health projects. Durham participated in 66 percent
of the chapter's projects. "In addition to helping others, I've
helped myself," said Durham, who says participation also has increased
her self-esteem.
These three seniors were among the 17 members who attended the four-day
convention in Myrtle Beach. Associate Degree Nursing Department Head
Janet Fuller accompanied the group. The annual convention is for nursing
students who attend two- and four-year colleges and universities. Its
goal is to promote professionalism in nursing. Through membership, students
learn leadership skills and the legislative process of a professional
organization.
"SNA is a major support system, and it promotes camaraderie between
Tri-County's SNA and the State organization," said Fago.
"Not only does it fortify our camaraderie with other colleges,
but Tri-County is a huge example to college chapters who aren't as active,"
said Hardin, who was elected First Vice President for the State SNA
Board. As part of her duties, she will help to plan next year's convention.
All three recipients represent non-traditional students; all are married
with children and returned to college to finish the degrees. All three
also are attending on scholarship and plan to earn undergraduate and
graduate degrees and later teach.
"Susan is organized, committed and an excellent student in class
and clinical settings," said Fuller. "She is the perfect person
to lead SNA. She also supervises the department's SNA website, which
is an excellent tool for communication. Susan is an excellent student
who is committed to doing what she says she will do."
“Dawn is a great choice for the SCSNA 1st vice president position,"
continued Fuller. "She is one of the most organized people I know,
and this skill will help her pull off an awesome convention next year.
She is also an excellent clinical and theory student in nursing.”
“Wanda has been my advisee since we both came to Tri-County,"
said Fuller, "and I have enjoyed watching her grow in knowledge
and confidence in the nursing field. She is very committed to the program
and the SNA and shows this with her outstanding participation.”
Other major awards the chapter received at the convention include:
-- the Outstanding Community Health Program award, given to the school
with the greatest impact on its community. It is based on the number
of, creativity of, and participation in community health projects and
their impact on the community. Among those cited were
-- the Outstanding Community Health project which is awarded for the
most creative and successful community health project and is based on
its originality and success.
-- the Financial Excellence Award, also received by Hardin. "She
organized the treasury so we could have enough fundraisers to pay for
the conference registration fee, which is $65 per person, and to pay
for hotel accommodations for three delegates so there was no out-of-pocket
charge for them," said Fuller.
-- Honorable Mention for the Legislative Award. The chapter registered
81 voters in August.
"The work that our board of officers put in at the convention is
amazing," said Fuller. "These awards are a tribute to their
ability to organize and their commitment to what they take on."
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