POMPTON PLAINS, NJ – With the school year finished, Cedar Crest held a graduation ceremony last night to honor 28 area high school students who work at the continuing care retirement community. These students will benefit from Cedar Crest’s Scholars’ Fund, which provides money for their upcoming college or secondary school education.
During the ceremony, each student received a scholarship totaling $4,000; $500 per semester for four years of full-time undergraduate study.
Funding for the scholarships is based upon voluntary donations made by residents and staff. The scholarship funding is paid directly to the students’ respective secondary education institution each semester. The money is raised through various fundraisers and individual contributions.
The Scholars’ Fund recipients must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to receive funding including, working at least 1,000 hours at Cedar Crest over a consecutive two-year period, amassing a proven exemplary work record and plan to attend college or trade school on a full-time basis.
This year 1,040 donations were given to the fund, which began in 2003. A total of $851,000 was raised since the Scholars’ Fund began. Scholarships were first handed out in 2003 where 12 students qualified and now there are 163 in total.
Cedar Crest Executive Director Cathy Guttman said, “The Scholars’ Fund is Cedar Crest’s way of providing educational assistance for the bright, dedicated and hard-working students who are part of our community. I want to personally thank all of our residents and staff who are helping to provide these young men and women with assistance that will potentially help them flourish.”
“The generous residents who contribute to the fund year after year are not only doing a good deed, but they are investing in our future,” said Kristin DiFidi, Cedar Crest Director of Philanthropy. “The Scholars’ Fund program gives the hard-working student employees a wonderful opportunity to advance their education. We appreciate the generosity of the residents who donate to this worthwhile cause, which enables the students to succeed and achieve at school.”
The list of Cedar Crest Scholars and their hometowns are below.
More than 2,000 people live at Cedar Crest, an Erickson Living full-service retirement community that promotes a vibrant lifestyle. Erickson Living develops and manages 16 full-service retirement communities that provide worry-free living for America’s seniors – the country’s fastest-growing population segment. Erickson Living’s refundable entrance deposit and predictable monthly service fees provide residents across the country financial peace of mind. Comprehensive health and wellness services, integrated into every community, lead to demonstrated resident benefits. For more information, visit www.ericksonliving.com.
2011 Cedar Crest Student Scholars’:
- Aileen Agosto Pequannock
- Stephanie Baryla Pompton Plains
- Ashley Beard West Milford
- Eric Berkenbush Pompton Plains
- Rebecca Ann Bosch Wayne
- Kelly Breeman Wayne
- Edwin Calzaretta Totowa
- Melissa D’Amelio Kinnelon
- Noelle DenHerder West Milford
- Jimmy Duffy Wayne
- Christine Earley Kinnelon
- Kathleen Flynn Oak Ridge
- Nicole Frank Kinnelon
- Kathryn Kanczewski Pompton Plains
- Nicole Kilhaney Butler
- Cassandra King Pompton Plains
- Tyler Kypers Pompton Plains
- Matthew Lang Wayne
- Nicole Loeschorn Bloomingdale
- Tyler Loranger Butler
- Kevin Lutz Pompton Plains
- John Mancini Pompton Lakes
- Elizabeth Middleswarth Pompton Plains
- Alexis Mobley Wanaque
- Jacqueline Santhouse North Haledon
- Allison Scoular Wayne
- Katelyn VanVlaanderen Kinnelon
- Amy Ziskin Pompton Plains
# # #
