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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (June 21, 2023)
Page 11 OnPoint Credit Union Awards Scholarships to OSAA Students Continued from Page 4 needed it most. Bradford earned a 3.83 GPA while pursuing chal- lenging Advanced Placement courses and will study pre-law to become an attorney. Tara Subramanian of Lincoln High School is a nationally com- petitive congressional debater. She helped rebuild Lincoln’s de- bate team and coached Beaverton High School debaters at a time when the discipline’s popularity was waning. Subramanian creat- ed the Oregon Red Cross Youth Council, where she recruited and led more than 600 volun- teers and coordinated statewide service events. Her international humanitarian law presentations educated thousands of students about foreign policy and war crimes. Subramanian also orga- nized the Oregon Youth Neuro- science Conferences. After tak- ing 17 college-level classes as an International Baccalaureate student, Subramanian will grad- uate with a 4.0 and attend New York University. Austin Baker of Bend Senior High School captained his basket- ball, football and lacrosse teams and helped students with disabil- ities compete in sports through the Unified Sports Program. His Uni- fied Sports Program teammates played in the gold medal match in their division. Baker earned a 4.35 GPA while taking college-level classes through the Internation- al Baccalaureate program and is a member of the National Honor Society. Austin will continue his education at Wesleyan University. Charles Black of Central Cath- olic High School led his school’s chapter of CommuniCare, a stu- dent-powered social justice and community service organization. A leader in Central’s campus min- istry and student body vice pres- ident, Black played five sports and co-captained his varsity cross country and track teams and junior varsity basketball team. He earned a 4.0 GPA and is a National Merit Scholar finalist. Black will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and plans to become a physician. Camila Garibay of Sheldon High School played trumpet in the school’s concert band, wind ensemble and marching band and swam competitively. A student in the Spanish immersion and Inter- national Baccalaureate programs, Garibay earned a 3.74 GPA. She also participated in Oregon Young Scholars, a four-year college pre- paratory program. Garibay will be the first in her family to attend col- lege and plans to become a nurse to honor her grandmother, who was a midwife. Lane Shaffer of McDaniel High School He campaigned for bet- ter transportation infrastructure as co-chair of the Transportation Equity and Environmental Ad- vocacy committee of the Mult- nomah Youth Commission. Shaf- fer earned a 4.0, took college-level classes, and participated in foot- ball, cross country, wrestling, and the student newspaper. He also served as president of McDaniel’s Youth Action Council. Shaffer will major in public health and public policy on a pre-law track. All graduating seniors who par- ticipate in OSAA activities were eligible to apply for a scholarship. The Scholar Program is part of OnPoint’s partnership with OSAA as the title sponsor of the Oregon high school state championships. OnPoint selected winners based on letters of recommendation and personal essays about their com- munity leadership, classroom success, and how participating in OSAA activities has helped them achieve their goals. Success at Any Age Earning a Degree Can Be Easy at EOU Story by Michael Dakota At 46 years old, Kente’ Bates has accomplished quite a bit in his life. The native of rural Geor- gia joined the Army at age 32, moved to Oregon, and adopted Portland as his home. In Decem- ber, the husband and father of two will add college graduate to his list of achievements. Bates will earn a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Leadership, Or- ganization & Management from Eastern Oregon University. Bates’ personality is loaded Kente’ Bates with optimism and energy. His positive attitude and drive to his degree from the comfort of succeed helped him finish his his home. He was also able to get credit for his life experience, degree after a 13-year break. “I was the oldest guy in my including his military training, platoon when I joined the mil- through the University’s Cred- itary, I want people to escape it for Prior Learning programs. the mindset that anything is im- Not only did this cut down on possible, or it is ever too late,” his time to accomplish his ed- ucational goals, it saved him Bates said. During the pandemic, Bates money as well. “Eastern Oregon University decided it was a good time to is already affordable, which re- go back to school. His wife told ally appealed to me,” he said. him about Eastern Oregon Uni- “But they also recognize a per- versity, which turned out to be son has a lot of past experiences a great fit for the busy father. and give you credit for it. There Even though the University is was nothing difficult about get- located in La Grande, Oregon’s ting credit for my life experienc- Rural University is a leader in online education, offering most es, the process was made very programs digitally. Bates earned easy for me.” One way that the people at EOU made earning a degree eas- ier for Bates was that they met him where he was in the Portland area. He was able to meet with Kerry Thompson, Eastern Ore- gon University’s Military/Veter- an Coordinator, and fellow veter- an, at EOU’s Gresham Regional Office located at Mount Hood Community College. Thompson, based out of EOU’s Hermiston Regional office, one of Eastern Oregon University’s 11 offices spread across the state, drove the three hours to give Bates the personal attention the University is known for. Bates praised “the great team” when it comes to serving veterans. Bates’ optimism is conta- gious. He urges others to pursue their educational goals, no mat- ter the obstacle. “If you want to get your de- gree, I would encourage people, especially those over 40, to do it. Just put one foot in front of the other,” he said. “Eastern Oregon University is an example of a very well-kept secret, a hidden gem. Nobody talks about the rest of the state, but there is a lot of amazing things over in Eastern Oregon. Definitely check it out. It will be worth it.” To learn more about Eastern Oregon University, email Alas- sane Diagne at diagnea@eou. edu. To learn more about EOU’s Credit for Prior Learning op- portunities, visit eou.edu/cred- it-for-prior-learning. Five Reasons to Consider a Career in Healthcare By Elaine Daugherty, Human Resources Director, Shriners Children’s Portland As the demand for medical care continues to be at the fore- front of national conversations, it is important to recognize the underlying foundation of what keeps the healthcare industry moving when considering a ca- reer in healthcare. Healthcare professionals are leading the sector with their abil- ity to combine new ideas with technology and compassionate care. These professionals work on the cutting edge of science, As you explore a career in and now more than ever the healthcare, examine these five combination of science with new key considerations: technologies is putting healthcare • Impact and Purpose: In at an extremely exciting preci- Healthcare, each position pice for advancements we have whether direct or indirect never seen before. These drivers has the ability to impact as one can imagine are meaning- an individual’s life. Peo- ful, measurable and in demand. ple come together with a collaborative commit- ment to make a difference in the community. These impacts give healthcare workers a sense of pur- pose and fulfillment with- in their careers. Continued on Page 12
