NHH Auxiliary congratulates scholarship winners
Photo courtesy of the Northumberland Hills Hospital Auxiliary
By Cecilia Nasmith
The Northumberland Hills Auxiliary board of directors is pleased to announce that Kaleigh Harper and Sydney Pipe have been selected as this year's recipients of Dixie Mikel Scholarships in recognition of their volunteerism and commitment to the hospital.
The auxiliary awards these $1,250 scholarships are awarded annually to exceptional student volunteers currently attending or accepted to a college or university. Applicants must have accumulated a minimum of 80 volunteer hours at NHH and must be taking courses that lead to a degree in health sciences, nursing, medical research or biotechnology.
The scholarship was created in memory of the late Yvonne (Dixie) Mikel, wife of local physician Dr. Don Mikel and a long-time auxiliary supporter at the former Cobourg hospital site. In that capacity, she is credit with the founding of the Student Auxiliary Volunteer program, which continues to this day (in expanded form) at NHH.
Harper, a recent Cobourg Collegiate Institute graduate, will soon enter her first year at Queen's University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree. Throughout high school, she demonstrated a strong commitment to both academic and extracurricular activities, earning recognition as an accomplished highland dancer and earning the Ontario Minister's Certificate of Recognition for her “outstanding contributions to her community.” These accomplishments reflect her commitment, leadership and passion for making a positive difference.
Since becoming an NHH volunteer last year, Harper has completed 101 volunteer hours in Day Surgery, Palliative Care and the Hospital Elder Life Program. These experiences had a profound impact on her that inspired her to pursue a future in nursing.
Pipe is starting her fourth year at Queen's, where she is taking an undergraduate degree in Life Sciences (recently earning Dean's List honours for her high academic standing, though she has consistently graduated at the top of her class).
Pipe started volunteering with the auxiliary in 2024, dedicating 93 hours to the Hospital Elder Life Program. She has also volunteered at Providence Manor Retirement in Kingston throughout her years at Queen's, sharing her love of music as part of her volunteer work at the Alzheimer Society.
She is also an accomplished athlete, competing in rugby and soccer as well as playing elite-level hockey, where her commitment, perseverance and teamwork have led to success both on and off the field.
Auxiliary President Rick Riley called the scholarship “a testament to the dedication, commitment and contributions of our student volunteers.
“Awarding these scholarships each year is a tradition that allows us to carry on the good work of Dixie Mikel, while celebrating the vibrant spirit of youth volunteerism at NHH,” Riley said in the announcement.
“I would like to thank our awards committee for their time and careful review of the many excellent applications we received. We are grateful to all those who submitted. On behalf of the auxiliary board, sincere congratulations to Kaleigh and Sydney. We wish them both the best in their academic pursuits.”
Applications for consideration for the 2027 scholarships are requested before July 30, 2027. For details on the scholarship and current volunteer opportunities, visit nhh.ca.
