The West Valley Nurses Club announced Angelica Castelazo as the scholarship award for $1,000 at Estrella Mountain Community College. Every year, the club donates to the scholarship fund to assist a well-qualified student in need.

Castelazo began at age seven to ask for medical toys because she wanted to be the one getting the babies out of the moms. She had to overcome several difficulties before she could even think about attending college.

Angelica was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and said her biggest challenge was the language barrier, constantly be looking for the meaning of words in Google.

She said she overcame other obstacles with lots of prayer, her husband’s emotional and financial support, and children’s support. Her children are now old enough for her to attend classes. Emilio is now 18, Paulo is 16, Angelica is 16, and Christopher is 13. She plans to become a postpartum nurse, and perhaps a lactation consultant and a certified translator.

She was grateful to the West Valley Nurses Club for this scholarship. The club meets at 11:30 a.m. every third Friday of the month, at Briarwood Country Club, 20800 N, 135th Ave.

Special Speakers are scheduled for each meeting and upcoming topics include arthritis, fire department use of drones for rescues, the latest burn treatment, holistic nutrition, nursing tests and simulations, breast cancer, and the trafficking of women.

The club is composed of over sixty nurses, some of whom are retired and some still employed. Each year, the club seeks a worthy student who may be in need of some financial assistance. President Peggy Bell inquired about what scholarship winner Angelica might say to anyone interested in the nursing field.

“First, make sure you are passionate with all your heart about helping people and wanting the best for them, because that passion will help you through rough times. Second, always believe in yourself and believe you can be an amazing nurse. Do not let fear stop you from doing it. Third, look at nursing as a service for humanity and not as a job to receive a paycheck,” Castelazo said.

For those interested in joining the West Valley Nurses Club, please contact Georgann Porterfield at gmporterfield@gmail.com.