Investing in the People Who Care: Lutheran SeniorLife Awards $10,250 in Scholarships to 11 Team Members

When Lutheran SeniorLife talks about investing in the future of care, we are talking about investing in people; those who continue to learn, grow, and show up every day for older adults who depend on them.

The Lutheran SeniorLife Foundation Employee Scholarship Fund is proud to support 11 team members through scholarship awards totaling $10,250. These scholarships assist Lutheran SeniorLife casual employees who are pursuing post–high school education. Casual employees include individuals who work fewer than 17.5 hours per week and may be employed seasonally, such as during holidays or periods of increased staffing needs. By supporting educational goals, these scholarships strengthen professional development while enhancing the quality of care delivered across Lutheran SeniorLife communities and programs.

For recipients, the scholarship offers peace of mind, focus, and encouragement during an important stage of personal and professional development.

“I am grateful for this program and the opportunities it provides,” shared scholarship recipient Asia Anderson. “It has eased financial stress and allowed me to stay focused on my education and personal growth.”

Recognizing This Year’s Scholarship Recipients

Lutheran SeniorLife is honored to recognize the achievements and aspirations of the 2025 scholarship recipients:

  • Asia Anderson
  • Madison Berger
  • Corin Gubish
  • Claire Hubler
  • Gavin Laport
  • Susan Dalessandro
  • Elisabeth Smith
  • Sydney Thompson
  • Paige Volz
  • Kadence Metz (beginning studies this fall)
  • Brielle White (beginning studies this fall)

Each of these individuals demonstrates what it means to serve with compassion while striving for excellence. Their dedication is shaping a stronger future for the people we serve.

Made Possible Through Generosity

These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of donors who believe deeply in the future of healthcare and in the individuals who make that future real every day. Many have seen firsthand the compassion, skill, and humanity our team brings to their work, and they choose to invest in that promise.

Every contribution to the Scholarship Fund is a vote of confidence in the next generation of caregivers, clinicians, and leaders at Lutheran SeniorLife.

Voices of Gratitude, Stories of Purpose

For scholarship recipient Paige Volz, the impact of Lutheran SeniorLife extends far beyond the classroom.

“The Lutheran SeniorLife program has impacted me in so many positive ways,” Volz shared. “It has helped me and my coworkers find balance in life. I’ve developed leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deeper understanding of how to collaborate with others—skills I will carry with me wherever I go. Most importantly, it’s taught me how to truly connect with older adults, understand their journeys, and remember they had full lives before coming to Passavant. That understanding shapes how I care for them every day.”

Gavin Laport echoed that sense of belonging and support.

“I am incredibly grateful to have been chosen as a scholarship recipient,” Laport said. “Opportunities like this reflect the many ways Lutheran SeniorLife supports employees as they work toward long-term career goals. The relationships I’ve built with residents and coworkers prove that it really is the people who make a place feel like home.”

Join Us in Building the Future

The need for skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals has never been greater. Support for the Lutheran SeniorLife Foundation Employee Scholarship Fund ensures that dedicated employees can continue their education, advance their careers, and deliver exceptional care to older adults across our communities.

For those who wish to invest in the next generation of caregivers, we invite you to donate. When you give, you become part of a story that changes lives one student, one resident, one future at a time.

At Lutheran SeniorLife, this is how we build Abundant Life® together.