Fortiphi-HR Awards Women In Business Scholarship

originally published March 2017—

Mount Vernon, WA.  Fortiphi-HR, a Human Resources and Benefits Management Company with offices in Mount Vernon and Blaine, Washington, announces the name of the recipient of their first Women in Business Scholarship.

Heidi DeBauge, who has recently been accepted into the nursing program at Everett Community College, was thrilled to accept the $500 Scholarship in late February. Ms. DeBauge graduated from  Stanwood High School in 2013 with some college courses already in hand, thanks to the Running Start Program, and is excited about the prospect of becoming a nurse.

“As a child I spent a lot of time in Children’s Hospital due to a heart problem and I remember thinking that the nurses were such superheroes,” she said. She plans to continue her education and pursue a Master’s degree in nursing, with an ultimate goal of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

Heidi’s story was especially meaningful to Fortiphi-HR Co-founder Jay Ebert, who lost his daughter, Chelsey Rae Ebert, to cancer while she was still in high school. Chelsey was much-beloved by her family, friends, and the community, and they have since founded the Chelsey Rae Ebert Trust to raise money for scholarships and charities. Today, with more than 60 scholarships awarded, her positive influence on others lives on.

Inspired by the mission of the Chelsey Rae Ebert Trust, and because they support the advancement of young women in business and related fields, Fortiphi-HR decided to offer a $500 scholarship to young women in Washington state who are interested in pursuing studies focused on Business, Management, Entrepreneurship, and related fields.

“We are really excited to continue this scholarship,” said Ebert. “Heidi’s story was very inspiring to all of us at Fortiphi-HR, and we look forward to being able to help more motivated and enthusiastic students like her.”

Applications for next year’s scholarship are now being accepted at fortiphi-hr.com. The deadline for application is December 31, 2017.