WNCC student gets $12,000 Rotary scholarship

Two years ago, Kelly Hall's life changed completely. And she credits a piece of junk mail.

"You know how WNCC sends their catalog out to everybody? I got mine and just flipped through it," she said.

That's when she saw an advertisement for General Education Degrees. Hall, who never went to high school, decided to look into it.

"When I was in my mid-30s. I thought about it, but I thought I was too old to get an education," she said. "I was 40 when I got it. That's pretty late in life, but it's definitely worth it - that's what I keep telling myself."

Taking the first step encouraged her to move forward.

"My math teacher really inspired me to go ahead and go to college," Hall said. "I've always wanted to be a nurse so I decided to give it a shot."

After attending seven semesters at Western Nevada Community College, she will find out in June if she was accepted into the nursing program.

"I just didn't know how I was going to pay for nursing school once I got there," she explained.

But financing school just got easier. Hall, who moved to Carson City seven years ago from Lake Tahoe, was awarded a $12,000 scholarship last week from the Noon Rotary.

"I'm completely ecstatic," she said. "It hasn't really sunk in all the way. I'm sure it will after I get through finals."

As part of the application process, Hall had to write an essay and secure two letters of recommendation. The final five applicants had to appear for an interview.

"It was frightening," she admitted. "I was very nervous and I stumbled over a lot of words but apparently it worked out for me."

From a girl who never went to high school, to a 42-year-old woman pursuing a college degree, Hall said she can hardly believe where her life has taken her.

"Sometimes I think it's a dream," she said. "I honestly did not have the self-esteem to think I could get to where I'm at."

She has counted on encouragement from others, including her boyfriend Val Viegner.

"He always says he's so proud of me," she said. "He's very supportive."

And it has allowed her to start a new life.

"Five years ago, I was running a cleaning business and was on my hands and knees scrubbing," she said. "In five years, I want to be working in a hospital. That's a huge difference."

Contact Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1272.