For more than 10 years, Riverland Community College nursing and radiography students have worked toward a degree with a little assistance from a local group that knows a lot about the medical field.

The Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin Ladies Auxiliary group has given out more than $95,000 in scholarships to students from all walks of life pursuing a nursing certification, and their efforts were recently honored by the Riverland Foundation.

“I hope to apply to the radiography program in March,” said Sarah Fischer, Riverland student. Fischer said she had to take several loans to afford college tuition, and this was her first scholarship.

“I work full-time and go to school full-time so every little bit helps,” Fischer said.

That’s why auxiliary members like Marie Wiese help sponsor the scholarship program, so students can afford to go to school.

“We really think it’s important,” she said. “We certainly would like to keep donating and we would like to be able to give to more students.”