The Gift of Knowledge

Thanks to the generosity of HRMC Foundation Donors, Peyton McWethy is able to pursue his career path and get a head start on life.

McWethy figured he would follow in the footsteps of his parents one day, joining law enforcement or becoming a lawyer. However, after participating in a few nursing school clinicals through Mitchell Technical College, it confirmed his desire to work in the medical field instead.

While nursing is a rewarding career path, it can be difficult to juggle the workload while funding schooling. McWethy took the initiative and applied for two different scholarships: the Build Dakota scholarship and an HRMC Foundation Healthy Huron Commitment Scholarship. He received both.

“It was a burden lifted off my shoulders,” McWethy says. “Because of the scholarships, I’ve been able to focus on school. I watched many students graduate with $60,000 or more in student loan debt, but instead of making payments, I’ve been able to start a job and purchase a house.”

The Commitment Scholarship will help fund McWethy’s way through the LPN to RN program – a nursing education opportunity for local students. Through the partnership of Southeast Technical College and Huron Community Campus, this degree plan allows students to continue their education and receive work hours close to home. For McWethy, it was the perfect opportunity.

“I was born and raised in Huron, and my family and life are here,” he says. “Working in my hometown has been great because I can always find a connection, whether with a patient or staff. It’s been a good way to give back to my community.”

Exciting things are still to come for McWethy. After completing the LPN to RN program, he plans to go for his Bachelor of Science in nursing and possibly pursue becoming a nurse practitioner or certified nurse anesthetist.

“This scholarship has been more than just the money,” McWethy says. “It’s helped me focus on my career and allowed me to continue my education. Not having to worry about extra stress of paying for school is a huge gift. There’s no reason any nursing student shouldn’t go for it.”