Arkansas State University-Newport awarded the Sydney Sutherland Memorial Scholarship to its first two recipients in February. Hailey Neeley, of Tuckerman, and Taelehs Nicholson, of Newport, were each awarded a $500 renewable scholarship to help them continue their education in the nursing profession.

Sydney Sutherland’s family helped present the checks to each student and expressed their gratitude to every person that helped make this opportunity possible.

“We can’t thank the community enough for helping us keep Sydney’s memory alive in such a positive way,” said Maggy Sutherland, Sydney’s mother. “This scholarship is just one way we can keep Sydney’s light shining.”

The Sutherland family, including Maggy, Sydney’s father Dion, brothers Sam and Tyler, and her nieces Mila and Leni, expressed great joy in knowing this scholarship will be able to support future nursing students for years to come.

“It means so much to our family to be able to honor Sydney and her passion for helping and serving others,” Sam Sutherland said. “Each scholarship that is given is just another way for Sydney’s legacy to live on.”

Sydney graduated from ASU-Newport’s Practical Nursing program before becoming a Registered Nurse. The first scholarship recipients are following closely in her footsteps.

Hailey Neeley is also a graduate of ASUN’s Practical Nursing program and is currently working towards becoming a Registered Nurse through the ARNEC program at ASUN.

“Caring for people has always been my passion,” Neeley said. “In the nursing profession you have to take care of complete strangers, and I have signed up to do this for life, just like one of my very best friends, Sydney Sutherland.”

Taelehs Nicholson is enrolled in the Practical Nursing program at ASUN. She decided to join the healthcare industry after giving birth to her son that was diagnosed with a form of Down Syndrome.

“Following in her [Sydney] footsteps will be a difficult journey, but her inspiration is leading me down a path to do all that I am able to help and assist those around me,” Nicholson said.

For more information on the scholarship click here. To donate to the Sydney Sutherland Memorial Scholarship click here.