Foundation helping dreams come true
Medical career is goal of class salutatorian

Bethany Sisneros

Thanks to her keen mind, willingness to work hard and assistance from the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation, the 2009 RHS grad has put herself on a path to make her hopes a reality.

Sisneros is the recipient of the Robert and Pauline Crockett Scholarship, offered through the Helping Hands Foundation. The scholarship is in the amount of $20,000 over a period of four years.

"I can't thank them enough for awarding me this scholarship," Sisneros said. "It means so much to me. This is giving me the opportunity to go forward and make something of myself. It makes you feel good to know that someone thinks enough of you to go out of their way to help like this."

Sisneros said the scholarship has helped her limit the need for expensive student loans, which leave many young students in financial straits for years.

Sisneros will attend Arkansas State University. She plans to commute to the Paragould campus her first semester and later attend the main Jonesboro campus. She plans to study biology before attending medical school with the hope of becoming an anesthesiologist. She also has an interest in sports medicine.

"I want to do something in the medical field, because I want to be able to help other people," Sisneros said. "I think it's one of the most fulfilling and stable lines of work you can have."

Sisneros and her family moved to Rector when she was in the third grade. Since that time, the 18-year-old has made herself an integral part of the community, having been involved in a number of programs and benefit functions. Not only was she an apt pupil at RHS, where she was named salutatorian of her graduating class, she also was a tremendous athlete, standing out on the softball team as an All-Conference player as a senior.

Sisneros also has been a part of many volunteer projects, offering her time to help with countless blood drives and food drives in the community, as well as school functions such as the state softball tournament and regional basketball tournament. She also was on hand to help during last year's Helping Hands benefit concert.

"Being a part of this community has meant a lot to me," Sisneros said. "I know there are people here who are willing to help me if I needed it, so I always wanted to do the same. I enjoyed being a part of the different activities I was involved in here."

Sisneros says she has forged a bond with the community which she expects to continue well into the future.

"I'll always have a tie here," Sisneros said. "Even if I move off, I'll always be involved with the Rector community. They've always been a big family to me and I'll always feel the need to stay connected."

Though the transition from high school student to young adult college student can be a bit overwhelming for some, Sisneros says she is ready for the challenge.

"I feel like I'm ready now to step into the real world and make something of myself. I want to thank all the teachers that have helped me through school and my family for always pushing me to do the best I can, and the Helping Hands Foundation for giving me the opportunity to go on and be what I want to be."