Seniors help fund employees’ education

The greatest generation is paying it forward to the next generation.

Residents at Sherwood Oaks in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, are helping employees further their education.

Since 2001, the Sherwood Oaks Residents Association has sponsored a scholarship fund for high school student employees. The scholarship program has grown over the past 15 years, and this year the association presented $2,000 scholarships to 47 students.

The association sends an annual letter to residents explaining the scholarship fund seeking help to maintain and grow it. The response is overwhelming, says resident Olive Tiller, the last surviving member of the original task force that started the program.

“Our residents have been very generous,” Tiller said to Trib Total Media. “They get to know and form a bond with these kids, so they have been very willing to contribute.”

Students must have worked at Sherwood Oaks for at least a year and be enrolled at a college or university to be eligible for a scholarship, which can be renewed each year as long as students maintain a 2.0 GPA. Scholarships can only be used for tuition.

Alexis Duda, a 2013 graduate of Seneca Valley High School, said the scholarships have helped her make it to her senior year of college. “Just having that little bit of extra help can make a huge difference,” she said to Trib Total Media.

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.