The Dreams Behind This Year's Mary Reitz Nursing Scholarships
A Night of Recognition
Last week, members of the VMRC community gathered in Strite Auditorium to celebrate the 2026 recipients of the Mary Reitz Nursing Scholarship: Amy Matamoros, Leticia Vega, and Macie Sprouse.
Made possible through the generosity of donors, the scholarship provides up to $30,000 toward nursing education for aspiring nurses from both VMRC and the local community. More importantly, it recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for others and a desire to make a difference through the nursing profession.
As family members, friends, residents, staff, and supporters came together for the celebration, the focus was not only on the scholarships themselves, but on the people receiving them and the journeys that brought them to this point.
The People Behind the Scholarships
While each recipient has a unique background and path forward, all three share a common goal: becoming nurses who make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
For Amy Matamoros, one of our VMRC employee recipients, being awarded this scholarship represents an opportunity to pursue a dream while creating new possibilities for her family. As a first-generation college student preparing to attend Eastern Mennonite University, she reflected on what the award means to her.
"It provides an opportunity that my parents did not have, and as a first-generation college student, it allows me to help break that cycle."
The scholarship will help Amy focus on her studies as she begins college and takes her first steps toward a career in nursing.
For Leticia Vega, our second VMRC employee recipient, the scholarship's impact extends beyond her own future.
"It's not just for me, but for my parents, my grandparents, and my siblings as well," she shared. "This scholarship supports my whole family."
As she prepares for college, Leticia is looking forward to new experiences, greater independence, and the opportunity to continue growing as both a student and future healthcare professional.
Our community scholarship recipient, Macie Sprouse, shared her interest in nursing was shaped by her own experience as a patient. After navigating her own leukemia diagnosis, she developed a perspective that continues to guide her goals today.
"I wanted people to see me and not my cancer," she said.
That experience inspired her desire to become the kind of nurse who empowers patients and reminds them that a diagnosis does not define who they are even during the difficult moments in their lives.
Though their stories are different, each recipient spoke about nursing as more than a career path. For them, it is an opportunity to serve others in meaningful ways.
Continuing Mary Reitz's Legacy
The scholarship these students received carries the name of someone whose own life reflected that same spirit of service.
The Mary Reitz Nursing Scholarship was established in honor of longtime VMRC resident Mary Reitz, whose decades-long career in nursing and nurse education left a lasting impact on countless individuals. Her dedication to caring for others continues through a scholarship program designed to support and encourage future nurses.
Open to both VMRC team members and members of the local community, the scholarship reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the future of healthcare while helping aspiring nurses pursue their educational goals.
As the need for skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals continues to grow, investing in nursing education remains one of the most meaningful ways to support the well-being of future generations.
The Generosity Behind this Opportunity
The Mary Reitz Nursing Scholarship exists because of people who believe in investing in others.
For many students, pursuing a nursing degree means balancing tuition costs, books, housing, and other expenses that come with higher education. By providing up to $30,000 in scholarship support, donors help ease some of those financial pressures and allow recipients to focus more fully on their education and professional goals.
For Amy, Leticia, and Macie, that support means entering this next chapter with greater confidence and fewer financial barriers standing in the way of their aspirations. It means having the resources to pursue their education while focusing on the work required to become skilled, compassionate nurses.
At its heart, the scholarship reflects more than financial support. It reflects the belief that someone is worth investing in. To everyone who has contributed to the Mary Reitz Nursing Scholarship, thank you for helping make these opportunities possible.
A Community Behind Every Recipient
One of the themes that emerged throughout the celebration was the importance of encouragement.
Each recipient spoke about the people who supported them along the way, from parents and family members to teachers, advisors, mentors, and coworkers. Their journeys were shaped not only by personal determination, but also by people who believed in them and encouraged them to take the next step.
That spirit of encouragement was evident throughout the scholarship celebration. It could be seen in the pride of family members, the support of friends, and the excitement shared by residents, staff, and scholarship supporters gathered to recognize this year's recipients.
At VMRC, it is a privilege to celebrate individuals who are preparing to enter a profession centered on care, compassion, and service. Amy, Leticia, and Macie have each worked hard to reach this point, and the scholarship celebration provided an opportunity to recognize their achievements while cheering them on for what comes next.
We congratulate this year's recipients and look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the years ahead.
