Top scholarship winner eyes career in healthcare

April 28, 2023 – DENTON – Brittney Lay has a passion for helping others. It’s a trait passed down from her parents, and one that’s reflected in her four years as a Berkner High School student in the Richardson Independent School District.

In that time, Lay participated in the Berkner Health Science program, where she took advanced courses in healthcare and worked at Methodist Hospital in Richardson. She also served as president of the Advanced Academic Ambassadors group, which provides assistance to other students through AP course tutoring and academic support on Saturdays.

So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that she wants to pursue a college degree in healthcare administration, where she envisions putting that diploma to good use advocating on behalf of patients.

If there were any doubts, she had this to say in a university admissions application:

“When patients cannot afford a procedure that is necessary for their health and survival, then I would be in a position to advocate for their rights. As stressful as it sounds, it would be a dream for me to be involved with those sorts of things because I am a passionate fighter, and I know that my work will help thousands of people who walk into the doors of a clinic or hospital.”

In addition to the aforementioned activities, Lay also was vice president of Mu Alpha Theta and participated in international math competitions; was a representative and three-year member of the National Honor Society; served as treasurer of the Key Club; performed nearly 150 hours of volunteer service; has perfect attendance; was a Dallas College All-Star; and she ranked #5 out of 510 in her class, with a 4.0 unweighted GPA.

So, befitting an extraordinary high school graduate, Lay was presented the Texas Woman’s University 2023 Chancellor’s Endowed Scholarship, which will cover costs for tuition, fees and textbooks for four years at the university when she enrolls next fall. It is the university’s most prestigious scholarship and is awarded to one area top scholar each year.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said during a surprise presentation at her high school on April 28 that included Chancellor Carine Feyten, Berkner High School officials and her family. During the presentation, she was presented framed scholarship certificate.

“This year’s scholarship recipient is a perfect match for Texas Woman’s, as we share values centered on helping people,” Feyten said.

Lay is a first-generation college student whose parents emigrated from Vietnam. Her parents faced many challenges in establishing new lives for themselves in the United States. And they made many sacrifices to help her get where she is today, which no doubt was a factor in her dedication to school.

She plans to major in Texas Woman’s Healthcare Administration program, and aspires to work in hospital administration. She hopes to combine her interest in business with her passion for helping patients in healthcare settings.

Page last updated 9:13 AM, May 8, 2023