The 2022 Dr. S.S. Toni Scholarship has been awarded to Danielle Klassen, a practical nursing student at Assiniboine Community College (ACC) in Brandon.
Distributed by the Altona & District Health Care Board, the bursary is open to residents of the Town of Altona, Municipality of Rhineland and the Rural Municipality of Montcalm who are pursuing a health-related career.
Originally from Altona, Klassen says it was always the plan for her to become a nurse.
"I've kind of always had this natural second nature to want to help people, especially if I see them in a little bit of distress so, going into healthcare was not a second guess for me."
Prior to attending ACC, Klassen worked in home care in the community and said encouragement from co-workers was the push she needed to further advance her career.
"It's definitely nice to be recognized by the community, especially after working here for seven years...I'm just looking forward to furthering my career in the healthcare field and having the opportunity to be blessed with a little bit of a donation in between."
Klassen will graduate from the two-year program in August 2023 and plans to return to work in the Pembina Valley, ideally in an operating room or obstetrics.