Volunteer

Allison Justiss Volunteen Scholarship

The family of Allison Justiss - Al and Rebecca McDowell, Laura Justiss Zehr and Alex and John Justiss -  has endowed a scholarship in her memory for a Baptist Health - Little Rock teen volunteer.  Allison was a volunteer on the BHMC-LR 9B Cardiovascular Unit between August 2006 and January 2007, donating over 300 hours in only five months while participating in the American Heart Association Sweetheart Program.  Allison’s tireless dedication earned her the prestigious Sotomora Award, given annually to the Sweetheart Volunteer contributing the highest total of community service hours.  Her efforts nearly doubled the hourly total given by any previous recipient of the Award.

Click to Download Application

Allison died on June 25, 2007, the result of injuries received in an automobile accident.  As a final act of service, her organs were donated so that others might live in her stead.  In addition to her work with Baptist Health, she volunteered with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the Komen Race for the Cure.  She left a legacy of kindness, caring and personal involvement that continues to serve as a model for others to follow.

In establishing the scholarship, her family has determined that it may be used at any institution of higher learning, public or private, within the state of Arkansas.  The amount of the scholarship, up to $12,500, may be used for tuition, fees, books, room and board and the funds will be paid directly to the school on the recipient’s behalf.  The scholarship is intended to assist with a student’s freshman year and is being administered by the Arkansas Community Foundation. An independent 25-member scholarship committee of the Foundation will select the annual recipient.

In order to qualify for the Allison Justiss Scholarship, an applicant must be in the 12th Grade and volunteer a minimum of 100 hours at Baptist Health’s Little Rock campus during the Fall Semester of their Senior Year.  Applicants must maintain a minimum 2.5 Grade Point Average and have a score of 19 or above on their ACT Exam.  Those applying must secure a letter from the supervisor in their area of assignment at Baptist Health Little Rock, verifying their completion of the hourly requirement.  In addition, the applicant must write an essay on “The Importance Of Youth Volunteerism.”  The essay should be approximately 250 words in length, 1 page, single spaced.  Deadline for application for the Allison Justiss Scholarship will be March 1, 2011.

By providing this scholarship, her family hopes to inspire other volunteens to share in the joy Allison received in giving her time and being of service to others.

The application may be downloaded by clicking on Allison's photo above.  In addition to the educational funding, the recipient’s name will be engraved upon a plaque to be prominently displayed at the Little Rock campus.