(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte High School graduate and current nursing student has received help paying for college.

 

Tristen Poe is this year’s winner of the Franciscan Health Michigan City Maria Petti Memorial Scholarship.

 

Petti served at Franciscan Health Michigan City for 35 years as a nurse and peri-operative director. She died of cancer in 2008 at 53.

 

Poe is studying nursing at Indiana University.  After graduation, he plans to pursue a doctoral degree and become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

 

Poe said he always knew he wanted to pursue a career in the medical field but wasn’t sure which one until feeling inspired by his mother and aunts, who are all involved in nursing.

 

“Having learned their experiences and gains from their careers opened my eyes to a path I could see myself pursuing,” he said.

 

Poe has worked at the hospital outside Michigan City in a number of areas including patient companion and patient care novice while pursuing his nursing degree.

 

"To be a recipient of the Maria Petti Scholarship is an absolute honor, as it not only makes me feel valued for my hard work and commitment to being the best student, co-worker and neighbor I can be, but also gives me strength to continue my nursing journey and reach for greater opportunities,” he said.