By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Samantha Kelsey’s goal is to study the causes of dementia and help find solutions for people who suffer from it.

Samantha, daughter Kerry and Lori Kelsey, said her work as a certified nursing assistant led her in that direction. Some of her favorite patients have dementia, she said.

“Working as a CNA brought me into contact with a lot of people with dementia,” Samantha said. “That’s kind of why this whole thing started and why I wanted to go into psychology. I’ve always wanted to do something to help. I’m more into mental helping than physical helping.”

The 2019 Marion High School co-valedictorian plans to attend Butler College her first year after high school. She has a scholarship for tuition and books at Butler, then plans to transfer to Wichita State University and major in psychology.

“I’ll probably go to medical school somewhere for neuropsychology,” Samantha said. “It’s like neurology. I’ll be working with people who have dementia and working to find out what possibly causes it, and potential solutions.”

Samantha said practicing in Kansas is her preference, but if her career takes her outside the state, that’s OK.

“I’m hoping to maybe travel to different states to get more experience and see what’s out there,” she said.

Emmy Hess said she plans to double major in Spanish and pre-med at the University of Kansas, then gain admission into medical school. Her long-term goal is to become an obstetrician and gynecologist.

“I have always wanted to be a doctor,” Emmy said. “I think the thought of bringing life into the world and helping mothers out is kind of cool.”

It’s not work experience that steered the co-valedictorian in the direction of becoming an obstetrician, but life experience definitely played a role.

She has five older sisters, three of whom have children and another who is expecting.

She plans to also major in Spanish because being bilingual will enhance her opportunities.

“A lot of times they have to bring a translator in,” Emmy said. “They’ll hire you a lot of places if you can be that translator.”

Emmy said she’d like to start out in a rural hospital for five to 10 years because a state program reimburses tuition for physicians who practice in rural areas.

“I grew up in a small town and I think getting back into a small town would be nice,” she said. “I don’t know how well I’d function in a city.”

Remaining in Kansas would also keep her close to family.

“We’re all pretty close-knit,” she said.

As for KU, Emmy said she’s gotten three scholarships from the university, which will help with its tuition costs. She’s won local scholarships as well.

The 39 members of the class of 2019 entered Marion’s aquatics center Saturday to the familiar strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” then Samantha and Emmy gave a joint speech.

Honor recognitions were announced and Kimmie Duncan and Evann Heidebrecht were given outstanding senior awards.