The Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce presented the second Zach Parsons Memorial Scholarship at the conclusion of its 2016-17 Leadership Sedalia class to a student whose passion is helping others.
Julianna Bourgeret, who graduated from Sacred Heart School last weekend, was the 2017 recipient of the Zach Parsons Memorial Scholarship. Bourgeret was one of several student participants in Leadership Sedalia, a leadership training program for both students and adults sponsored by the Chamber. Participants build leadership skills and strengthen networking techniques while learning more about the Sedalia community through speakers and tours.
“Julianna was always engaged in the class and whatever topic was presented,” said Angie Thomas, executive director of the Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce. “Julianna asked questions of our presenters and our tour guides in order to gain more knowledge about Sedalia and the community as a whole. Julianna showed emerging leader qualities while in our group settings and we know great things are going to come her way.”
Bourgeret was involved in many activities at SHS including National Honor Society and playing golf and softball. The recent high school graduate will be studying nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham this fall. She said that was part of her decision to apply for Leadership Sedalia.
“I thought it would help me in my communication skills, which I’ll need as a nurse,” Bourgeret said. “I want to be able to help others and I thought it might provide some pathways for that, and it looks good on an application.”
She said she would “definitely recommend” Leadership Sedalia to other students, as she was able to gain those communication and networking skills, plus learned more about local businesses.
“I really liked the day we did service things, we toured Open Door,” Bourgeret said. “I liked the hospital visit day because that’s what I’m going into. It was definitely interesting, especially the entrepreneurs to see how they got started from some humble backgrounds. Jorge (Guevara) came and talked to us and his story is very interesting.”
The Zach Parsons Memorial Scholarship is funded by a number of donors and businesses who contributed to the memorial fund, which provides a $1,000 scholarship to a student member of Leadership Sedalia. Olivia Sobaski, also a SHS graduate, received the first scholarship in 2016.
The scholarship is named in honor of Zach Parsons, a Sacred Heart School student and member of the 2015-16 Leadership Sedalia class who died at age 18 in a vehicle accident in February 2016. Parsons would have graduated with the SHS Class of 2017 last weekend.
According to information provided by the Chamber, Parsons was a highly involved student, making all-conference in speech in 2015 and 2016, a member of SHS honor choir, 4-H and Bothwell Regional Health Center Medical Explorers, a Boys State participant and a camp counselor at Camp Blue Sky.
For Bourgeret, knowing the scholarship is named for her friend made the occasion even more special.
“I cried,” Bourgeret said of when she received the scholarship. “I don’t have a lot of money, my family doesn’t have a lot of money, so I was worried and everything helps. I feel like he’s (Parsons) watching down over all of us and he knew I needed it.”
Along with preparing to become a nurse, Bourgeret said Parsons played a big role in applying for Leadership Sedalia.
“He really encouraged me and others in several aspects — he’s actually the reason I applied again because I initially got turned down,” she said. “He just had so much confidence about him, he was not afraid to tell you how it is. … He was one of the most brilliant people I’ve met and I’m very fortunate to have known him.”
She said the choice to attend school out of state included wanting a change of scenery and the school’s good nursing program. Medical careers run in Bourgeret’s family, but she also has an interest in helping others.
“Some of the things that happen there (in a hospital) are incredible and I want to be part of that if I can be,” she said. “It’s incredible to see the strides people can make and it’s a very fulfilling job I think. It’s always been in my nature to be nurturing. I’m from a single-parent family and I have a couple younger siblings I’ve had to help out with.
“I’ll of course come back (to Sedalia) but I want to explore and help people in other communities,” Bourgeret added. “I want to spread Zach’s message, and help as many people as I can.”
