KCNA awards scholarships to outstanding nursing students

The King County Nurses Association (KCNA) is proud to invest in the future of nursing by awarding scholarships to outstanding nursing students in our community. Since 1993, KCNA has provided $861,500 in scholarship funds to support 345 students in their academic and professional journeys.

This year, we received over 65 applications and are excited to announce the selection of 15 exceptional recipients. Each student has been awarded a $4,500 scholarship to be applied toward their studies between Summer 2025 and Spring 2026.

Pictured above are our 2025 scholarship recipients (listed top row to bottom, left to right):

Basic Award (pre-licensure)

• Natalie Aguilar, Seattle University (BSN)
• Nasro Shirdon Ahmed, Seattle University (BSN)
• Ana Basbeth, Bellevue College (ADN)
• Nael Kutoloka Batete, Bellevue College (ADN)
• Nahusenay Assefa Berihun, Lake WA Tech (ADN)
• LaKenya Charlayne Brimmer, University of WA (BSN)
• Sharad Devkota, Lake WA Tech (ADN)
• Young Eun Lee (Rachel), Seattle University (BSN)
• Juweiria Mayow, Highline College (ADN)
• Nayeli Cabrera Sanchez, University of WA (ABSN)
• April Sandoval-Garcia, Pacific Lutheran University (BSN)

 Advanced–Valerie Weiss Award

• Roseline Buyeka, University of WA (DNP)
• Shelly Le, University of WA (DNP)
• Minju Hong, University of WA (DNP)
• Kieran Kennedy, University of WA (DNP-PMHNP)

Announcing the KCNA 2025 Shining Star Awardees

King County Nurses Association has recognized outstanding nurses and those who serve the nursing profession annually since 1961. Please join us in celebrating this year’s awardees:

Chris Henshaw, EdD, RN has over 25 years’ experience as a nurse educator and over 40 years’ experience as a nurse with a background in cardiac, med-surg and long-term care. Her career includes serving as Associate Dean at Seattle Pacific University for 11 years and managing the residency program at Virginia Mason for over nine years. Chris currently works as an adjunct professor at Seattle Pacific University.

Chris earned a BS in Nursing from Washington State University and graduated from Seattle University with an EdD in Educational Leadership.

Chris is currently the Board President of the King County Nurses Association. She previously served as secretary, as well as on the nominating, scholarship, bylaws, and program committees of KCNA. She is part of the Professional Nursing Health Care Council of WSNA. Chris is also on the Board of the Washington Respiratory Care Foundation.

From the standpoint of KCNA as an organization, Chris has been a significant source of stability, leadership and strength throughout her many years of involvement with KCNA.

Congratulations Chris!

Annika J Hoogestraat, BSN, RN, CCRN, IBCLC is a career ICU nurse. She has been at Seattle Children’s Hospital for the past 20 years (Cardiac ICU charge nurse and ACE/ECLS nurse). She has clinical experience in ICU, pediatrics, neonatal, cardiac and associated technology. She is a strong believer in building a strong team by supporting others as they safely learn and gain assurance in their craft. Annika is most passionate about quality of care as well as accessibility.

As the Co-Chair of SCH WSNA, she has honed her skills as an effective representative and facilitator of fair resolutions between the hospital and the 2,200 nurses she represents. Annika also recently helped write HB 1567, a first-of-its-kind bill establishing licensing requirements for healthcare administrators, holding them accountable for patient outcomes with the purpose of prioritizing people over profits. While this bill ultimately failed this legislative session, it went much further than anticipated and gained national attention for its innovative approach.

Annika has a BSN from Seattle University and is currently pursuing an MBA in Healthcare from Western Governor’s University. Her goal is to responsibly advocate and impact patient focused improvement in healthcare accountability, safety, quality and policy.