Dana Baltrusitis of West Islip, this year's recipient of the Good Samaritan Guild Scholarship Award, is a 2008 gradute of St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School. Baltrusitis served as a junior volunteer since her freshman year of high school. Her volunteer work, primarily in the transport department, gave her the opportunity to explore health-related careers which led her to study nursing at LeMoyne College/St. Joseph's Nursing School in Syracuse, where she will earn her R.N., A.A.S and B.S.N.in a dual-degree program.

Baltrusitis is heavily involved in community service both locally and globally. She has traveled to El Salvador in Central America several times on missionary trips with her parish. Last year she headed a campaign to collect supplies for a bible day camp and traveled to Tacuba, El Salvador to assist in running the camp for the children of that village. She has assisted in several fundraising projects to benefit the poor.

Baltrusitis is also a recipient of the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. She enjoys playing tennis and is presently a member of LeMoyne Women's Rugby Club.