LAKEPORT – On June 3, Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s Auxiliary awarded five local high school students with a $1,000 scholarship each.

Auxiliary members Jean Kelton, Pam Held and Gena Bartholf poured through the 29 applications received to discover the top five candidates.

The recipients were chosen for their high academic scores, extra curricular activities and outstanding leadership qualities.

Each student is focusing their college education in the medical field, where they hope to make a difference in the world they live in.

Middletown, Kelseyville, Lower Lake and Clear Lake High School graduates were among the schools represented.

The 2009 SLH Auxiliary Medical Occupation Scholarship recipients include:

• William Phelps, Middletown High School graduate, who plans on attending California State University, Long Beach to become a pediatrician.

• Cameron Blackburn, Kelseyville High School graduate, who plans on attending San Diego State to become a registered nurse.

• Emmalena Illia, Lower Lake high School graduate, who plans on attending Mills College to become a OB/GYN.

• Oscar Hernandez, Lower Lake High School graduate, who plans on attending UC Davis to become an oncologist.

• Mathew Stegman, Clear Lake High School graduate, who plans on attending Dominican University to become a physician.

Congratulations to all who were selected.

The Sutter Lakeside Hospital Auxiliary program was started in 1967.

Today, they have more than 30 active members and volunteers who contribute approximately 470 hours per month to hospital services.

Participants are asked to commit to a minimum of four hours a week and assist in the following areas: front desk, patient accounting, emergency room, dietary, surgery waiting room, patient care and administration.