PARIS — Tristen Derenburger, a CNA at Norway Health and Rehab and three-sport athlete at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, was named one of Maine’s 27 school winners in 2024’s national Heisman High School Scholarship Competition Award.

To apply for the Heisman Scholarship, students must be in their senior year, have a cumulative grade average of B (3.0) or better, participate in at least one athletic sport and be a leader in their school and community.

Derenburger easily checks those qualifying boxes. She is a National Honor Society member and stands in the top five percent in her graduating class. She has played on OHCHS’ field hockey, basketball and softball teams since her freshman year – teams that have been perennial Class A playoff contenders, including state championship games.

Her ultimate career goal is to commit to local community service by becoming an obstetrics nurse at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway.

She is already matriculating at Central Maine Community College in Auburn and will continue coursework there full-time next fall. After earning her associate degree she will transfer to the University of Southern Maine to complete her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Derenburger is currently in her third year of Oxford Hills Tech School’ Allied Nursing program, having completed clinical work at Norway Health and Rehab as well as Market Square Health Care and the hospital.

Next up is applying as a CNA at SMH, where she hopes to job shadow in its surgery and emergency departments.

“I have always been intrigued by the medical field,” Derenburger says. “And I want to work in obstetrics. My interest is not just about caring for the babies, but for families [through birth time]. It’s important to support the needs of new mothers.”

For the last six months, Derenburger has had to look after her own medical needs as well as the residents she cares for Norway Health and Rehab.

Last June she suffered an ACL and meniscus injury late in the softball season. She had to undergo surgery and wore an immobilizing brace for six weeks. Her recovery extended through fall sports, meaning her senior field hockey contributions came as a teammate from the sidelines instead of the field.

With her rehab and recovery a couple of months ahead of her doctor’s expectation, Derenburger hopes to rejoin the Vikings’ basketball team in early January as they defend their 2023 Class AA North state championship. In last year’s playoff run, she was key to the team winning its third gold ball trophy since 2019, leading all scorers by sinking six three-pointers for 18 points.

For her senior project, Derenburger coordinated a softball clinic fundraising campaign to support her team’s scheduled trip to Florida.

“I hosted a softball clinic for three different age groups, over three Sundays,” she said. “To help pay for our softball team to play at an ESPN game at Disney in April. We raised over $1,000.”

“Tristen is a worthy candidate” for the Heisman scholarship, said OHCHS Principal Paul Bickford in a statement to the Advertiser Democrat. “She is a three sport varsity athlete, a top student in the Class of 2024, and she gives freely of her time to help others.

“Tristen is a certified nurse’s aide and volunteers where she works, spending extra time with her patients. I know Tristen will make a great impact wherever she goes and whatever she does.”

Throughout her four years at OHCHS Derenburger has stayed true to her ambitions in a way that even a serious injury could not slow down.

Along with her high grades, college classes and athletic accomplishments she has continued to work nights and weekends at Norway Health and Rehab.

“It’s about time management and dedication,” she said. “In my home, it’s not just that I want to do well. My family is willing to help me do well, and they want the best for me.

“I’ve got a really great support system.”

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