CGCC is proud to recognize the achievements of Rachel Scanlan, Tyler Barthole and Nataleigh Smith, three mortuary science students who recently earned scholarships sponsored by Service Corporation International (SCI), CGCC’s main program preceptor.
Scanlan won the top prize award of $10,000, while Barthole was a top-10 finalist, earning a $5,000 scholarship. Barthole was also awarded the William Aaron Scholarship for excellence in funeral service for an additional $1,000 scholarship. Smith was a top-25 applicant, earning a $2,500 scholarship. Additionally, she was awarded $2,500 from the Foundation Partners Scholarship.
A total of 160 applicants from 58 mortuary science programs from across the country participated in the scholarship contest. The contest consisted of a written essay asking applicants to explain their goals and how they are achieving them, as well as their role models and their impact and influence. Applicants also had to create videos answering what sets them apart from others in the profession, life experiences that prepared them for their future in funeral service and a personal characteristic they find most important for a funeral service professional to possess.
Scanlan is a mortuary science student at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, a funeral celebrant, an Honors scholar, and a member of Sigma Phi Sigma. After graduating high school early, she entered the mortuary science program with a clear sense of direction, holding herself to a high standard from the beginning. Her work is guided by a desire to drive the funeral industry to be more present, more transparent, and more willing to meet people where they are in grief. Thanks to the guidance and support of her instructors at CGCC, she has been able to step confidently into the field and grow as a professional in just a semester and a half, building both skill and understanding under their mentorship.
Barthole’s path to Funeral Service began when he lost his father, aunt and three grandparents all by the age of 10. His early experience with death shaped his resiliency toward supporting the bereaved; a trait which he sees as his life's calling. Upon graduating high school, Barthole enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist. He served as a member of the Kirtland Air Force Base Honor Guard, in which he performed military funeral honors for the veterans and retirees of New Mexico. It was here that his path to funeral service was further solidified, and his experiences helped him serve those going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. Upon graduation, Barthole plans to further his education by obtaining a bachelor's degree in business administration, with the desire to one day manage his own funeral home, serving the needs of his community with dignity, pride and respect.
Smith has a strong passion for serving families with compassion, dignity and professionalism. Her interest in funeral service began after experiencing a personal loss, which inspired her to support others during some of life’s most difficult moments. Through her education, she has gained experience in both the technical and emotional aspects of the profession, including embalming and working with families. She plans to continue her education and pursue licensure as a funeral director and embalmer, with the goal of making a meaningful impact in her community.
Congratulations to these three outstanding students! To learn more about CGCC’s mortuary science program, visit https://www.cgc.edu/degrees-certificates/mortuary-science.