The Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley (VNLV), located in Centerbrook, recently awarded $3,000 in college scholarships to two local students entering the nursing profession. The scholarship program is an annual event to honor the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Murtha of Essex. VNLV has sponsored this program for local students entering the health care field for the past 13 years. This year's winners are Emma Francis Castelli of Chester, who will attend Northeastern University, and Melissa Podaski of Ivoryton, who will attend Three Rivers Community College.