Stuart Native Awarded Dolores Batenhorst Keating Scholarship

A Stuart native was honored as a 2016 Dolores Batenhorst Keating memorial scholarship recipient. 

Makala Michka is studying pre-dentistry at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska and plans to graduate in 2018. Makala’s goal after she graduates is to pass the Dental Admissions Test and pursue Dentistry at University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Michka said, “I have chosen my field of study because I enjoy working with people and having the opportunity to help them improve their lives.”

West Holt Medical Services Foundation began managing a memorial fund in 2010 established in the memory of Dolores Batenhorst Keating, one of Atkinson’s most caring residents.

Dolores was born in Stuart, graduated from Stuart High School and lived her entire adult life in Atkinson. She worked for over 25 years as a Registered Nurse at West Holt Memorial Hospital. Dolores was married to John Keating for 56 years. They had eight children, Mary Rose Schaaf, Maureen Tsuchiya, Phillip Keating, Mark Keating, Patrick Keating, James Keating, Matthew Keating and Gerard Keating. Dolores Keating was a strong supporter of local, high-quality medical care, and her family is honoring her memory by providing local students, pursuing a medical degree, with a scholarship.

Each year scholarships of $1,000 each are awarded to graduates from Holt County schools who are residents in Holt County pursuing a degree in the medical field.
 
The next application deadline for the Dolores Batenhorst Keating Scholarship is December 15.