BENTONVILLE — Tara Coons of Rogers returned to school after 14 years of military duty so she could become a nurse and work with veterans.
That goal became easier after Coons realized she could receive a college scholarship. Coons’ nursing tuition at NorthWest Arkansas Community College is being paid for by the Veterans of Foreign War Post 9063’s Robert M. Sterrett Scholarship.
“My hope of today has become a reality of tomorrow,” Coons said during the college’s Foundation Scholarship Luncheon on Wednesday. More than 125 people attended the lunch at the college’s Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies’ Walmart Auditorium.
The annual event is held to provide donors the opportunity to meet students they support through scholarships, said Meredith Brunen, NWACC’s executive director for development.
The scholarship Coons receives pays for a 15-month accelerated nursing program. It stipulates the student must work for a year at the Veterans Health Care Administration of the Ozarks.
Leslie McFarland, the past commander of VFW Post in Bella Vista, attended and sat with Coons.
McFarland said the post uses the scholarship as a way to give back to the community and help veterans.
“The veterans coming back from around the world deserve the best of the best,” McFarland said. “We are helping veterans get the quality of care they need.”
NWACC Scholarships
NorthWest Arkansas Community College has 60 scholarships totaling $160,000 for students. Students can start to apply for scholarships March 1 and receive more information by going online to nwacc.edu.
Source: NorthWest Arkansas Community College