The winner of the 2025 Sonography Student Scholarship is Katrina Valente from Mount Aloysius College. Congratulations Katrina!
When choosing where I wanted to continue my education to study sonography, I had quite a few things in mind. My high school experience was tight-knit and personalized. I thrived so much academically because of the supportive setting, and I found that in smaller classes, learning became more interactive and engaging, not only with other students, but with my teachers as well.
As I researched a number of ultrasound programs at a few difference schools, I realized that the size and environment of a college play a huge role in the results of my educational experience. When I came across Mount Aloysius College, it seemed like the perfect balance in my opinion. It’s small enough to foster close relationships but also large enough to provide a various number of opportunities. The tight-knit community feel I get at the Mount is reminiscent of my high school experience, and I immediately loved it.
My time here at the Mount has shown me that the faculty are not just professors, but are friendly mentors who genuinely care for my and the rest of their students’ success. This smaller environment creates meaningful connections, allowing for personalized attention that other larger colleges usually don’t have. Another aspect that drew me to Mount Aloysius is the sense of community and spirit everyone has here, both faculty and students. On campus, they emphasize not only academic success, but the importance of supporting one another. This promotes a place where the students here feel comfortable asking questions, participating in discussions, and getting help. An example of this is the Sono Squad, our ultrasound club, in which we’ve fundraised and collected donations for people down south affected by the hurricanes. We have lots of fun by dressing up in Halloween costumes during our October meetings, something that brings us closer and creates great memories. This tight-knit community extends beyond our club on campus; so many other clubs and sports teams share this, creating relationships that make the overall college experience so much more positive. I truly believe that these experiences would be much different in other places, where such connections might be harder to forge.
Along with its strong community, the Mount has state-of-the-art labs and equipment for its ultrasound program as well as other health science programs. When I toured here as a high school senior, I was impressed by the realistic look of the labs as exam rooms and the various ultrasound machines they had. The high-end facilities, including a dedicated echocardiography lab, give us access to really cool technology, seeing that we receive a comprehensive understanding of how to use them. The hands-on experience we get along with the advanced equipment is just so invaluable; it prepares us for the realities of clinicals. The ultrasonography curriculum here is vigorous too, combining knowledge with hands-on experiences. The program’s focus on real-world applications let us develop the technical skills necessary for sonography while also giving us critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Here, the college’s commitment to community service lines up really close to my own values. The Mount’s foundation is based on four Mercy values: hospitality, mercy, justice, and service. These emphasize the importance of servant leadership and the idea of giving back to the community while also helping others. As a Mercy Scholar, I dedicate over 85 hours per year to volunteer work, following these values in my actions. This focus on service not only makes our education better, but also reinforces the significance of empathy and compassion in healthcare to students. It is so cool to be part of a community that prioritizes these ideas and encourages us to make a difference both in the local community and beyond.
My choice of Mount Aloysius College for my journey to becoming a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer was rooted in my desire for a personalized and community-oriented education. The small class sizes, extremely kind and dedicated faculty, and emphasis on real-world learning has made this an educational environment where I can do well both academically and personally. The advanced labs and equipment make me feel really confident about the education I am getting here. I am so excited to be in this program that not only prepares me for a successful career in sonography but also creates a strong sense of connection on campus. This approach to education, along with with the college’s commitment to the Mercy values, have set Mount Aloysius apart to the rest of the schools and programs I researched during my senior year. At Mount Aloysius, I know I am not just preparing for a career; I am also becoming part of a mission to help serve and lead others.
Sonography Student Scholarship The Ultrasound Schools Info student scholarship is a national, annual, non-renewable $1,000 scholarship awarded to an aspiring sonographer currently enrolled in a CAAHEP accredited diagnostic medical sonography program, or a high school student who has been accepted to a program.
About Ultrasound Schools Info Ultrasound Schools Info is a leading resource for those researching a career in diagnostic medical sonography (DMS). We provide an entry point for potential students to research and connect with accredited ultrasound technician programs.
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