April 2021

Page A31 APRIL 2021 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Se c t i on A www. vischerfuneralsupplies.com News Educational ContinueD LINCOLNSHIRE,IL— Selected Independent Funeral Homes Educa- tional Trust announced the recipient of the 2021 scholarship to the Select- ed Leadership Academy. This scholarship, valued at more than $5,000, was generously sponsored by a grant from Home- steaders Life Company . Jamie Locke, funer- al director for Hogan- Bremer-Moore Colo- nial Chapels of Mason City, IA had this to say about being chosen for this prestigious award, “I am very honored to ac- cept this award and look forward to participating in the Leadership Acade- my. I am very grateful to the Selected Educational Trust as well as Home- steaders Life Company for this opportunity.” This Trust scholarship provides the recipient with full two-year tuition plus an annual stipend to participate in the Select- ed’s Leadership Academy, a unique and rewarding educational opportunity offered exclusively to Se- lected Independent Fu- neral Homes’ members. The Academy is a person- alized journey for those, no matter title or posi- tion, who believe their leadership matters and choose to become better. “It’s a big commitment on the part of the partic- ipant,” stated Bea Ped- ersen, the Trust’s execu- tive director, “not only financially, but particu- larly with regard to the amount of time each class member must commit. But the reward is equally great. We are honored to be able to assist these dy- namic professionals with this opportunity to grow and lead. And we are deeply grateful to Home- steaders Life Company for making this fantastic scholarship possible.” The board of trustees also announced the re- cipients of the Selected Educational Trust 2020 Fall Cycle Second-Ca- reer Scholarship Program sponsored by Ring Ring Marketing. The winners Selected Educational Trust announces Scholarship Recipients Jamie Locke are: Melissa Ann Taylor attending Northeast Tex- as Community College ; and Josie Toller attend- ing Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. “We are so deeply grate- ful to Welton Hong and Ring Ring Marketing for their generous support of this program,” said Ped- ersen. “The Trust has been privileged to have awarded 45 second-ca- reer scholarships totaling $63,500 to mortuary sci- ence students who have chosen to enter this time- honored profession as a second career! Without the support of our gen- erous donors and spon- sors such as RRM, these scholarships would not be possible.” Each award recipient receives $1,500 towards their mortuary science tuition and fees. When asked what this scholarship meant to her, Melissa Ann Taylor responded, “I was very happy and appreciative to learn that I was a re- cipient of your scholar- ship. Upon graduating, I plan on going to work at a local funeral home but hope to someday open my own funeral home to serve (my) community in its time of need.” Josie Toller was equally expressive, “This is won- derful news! Thank you so much for this award. I’m so grateful for this opportunity!” According to Peders- en, “Many students en- tering this profession as a second-career are often mature adults with fami- lies and careers. But their personal goals include pursuing a career that is more fulfilling and satis- fying than what they are currently doing. Scholar- ship funds are often not available to these sec- ond-career students. The Trust created this schol- arship program specifi- cally for individuals like Melissa and Josie. They are making a change in their career and, as such, will be change-makers in this profession.” For more informa- tion about the Select- ed Educational Trust, contact Bea Pedersen at bea@selectedtrust.org or call 847-236-0150.