Westerly — The Westerly Hospital Auxiliary recently awarded college scholarships to six area students who plan to pursue careers in health care, the auxiliary announced Thursday.

The scholarship recipients were selected from a large field of applicants who, in addition to submitting their career plans and academic and extracurricular achievements, were required to write an essay explaining why they have chosen health care as their career path, the auxiliary said in a news release.

One of the scholarships was given on behalf of the Mary C. Pucci Fund, established by the late Joseph Pucci in 1999 in memory of his wife, Mary, to honor her involvement in the auxiliary. The Pucci Scholarship gives preference to a student who wishes to pursue a career in “hands on” patient care and make a difference in a patient’s experience. This year’s Mary C. Pucci Scholarship was awarded to Natalie Keefe, a graduate of Chariho High School in Richmond, R.I., who will study nursing at the University of Rhode Island.

The five other students who received a scholarship are: Alyssa Mullen, a graduate of Wheeler High School in North Stonington, who will study nursing at the University of Rhode Island; three graduates of Westerly High School — Marlee Mathis, who will study dental hygiene at the Community College of Rhode Island; Erika Rohdin, Westerly who will study pharmacy at URI, and Emily Montalto, who will study nursing and physical therapy at URI. Mackenzie Fox, a graduate of Chariho High School who will attend Providence College and pursue a career as a surgeon, is the fifth recipient.