Cedar Crest Awards $168,000 in Scholarships

On May 26, Cedar Crest, an Erickson Senior Living-developed and managed community in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, hosted family, friends, residents, and staff at its Scholar Awards Ceremony.

At the event, Resident Advisory Council Philanthropy Committee Chair Fred De Feo made a surprise announcement that each scholar will receive an extra $2,000 to the regular scholarship in recognition of their efforts and support during this challenging year. Consequently, the 28 graduating high school seniors were awarded $6,000 scholarships from the community to be used over a period of four years ($1,500 per year).

The Scholars’ Program is funded by the residents of Cedar Crest to support high school students employed on campus who have shown commitment to serving the Cedar Crest community.

"Thank you to residents for their generosity and for truly caring about our student workers on campus," said Executive Director Todd DeLaney.

"We look at this group of student scholars with genuine admiration, respect, and appreciation. They have all shown amazing commitment, resilience, maturity, bravery, and patience in the past year, and we are very grateful," said DeLaney

The ceremony included keynote speeches from Community Resources Coordinator and 2014 Scholarship Recipient Karolina Zgiet, 2021 Scholarship recipients Alexander Verkaik and Carrie Kievit, Oak Room General Manager Gladys Scharon, and resident Judy Silverstein. Additionally, remarks were provided by Executive Director Todd DeLaney, Resident Life Manager Amy Wagener, Resident Advisory Council Philanthropy Chair Fred De Feo, Director of Dining Services Paul Cimins, and members of the Dining Services team.

The ceremony ended with a moving video featuring student scholars reading excerpts from their application essays highlighting their gratitude for the support and friendship of residents and staff at Cedar Crest. The video was created by Cedar Crest TV Studio Manager Mike Dygos and TV Studio Coordinator Matt Colvin.

Since 2003, the Cedar Crest Scholars' Fund has awarded more than $1.3 million in financial aid to student workers to support their pursuit of higher education.

For more information about the scholarship program, as well as learning about other benefits of employment with Cedar Crest, such as tuition reimbursement, visit https://www.ericksonseniorliving.com/careers

About Cedar Crest: Cedar Crest, one of 21 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Senior Living, is situated on a scenic 130-acre campus in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. The not-for-profit community of more than 1,800 residents and 1,000 employees is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, Inc., who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community. Additional information about Cedar Crest can be found at CedarCrestCommunity.com.

2021 Cedar Crest Scholars:

• Matthew Buginsky, Pequannock Township;
• Yenevi Castillo, Pequannock Township;
• Jaiden Coleman, Butler;
• Zachary Colino, Butler;
• Josilyn Davis, Butler;
• Jeffrey De Dios, Butler;
• Donovan Esposito. Pequannock Township;
• Julia Haines, Netherlands Reformed Christian School;
• Hannah Hartung, Pompton Lakes;
• Aidan Herbert, Chapel Hill Academy;
• Ryan Herman, Pequannock Township;
• Zachary Heske, Pequannock Township;
• Carrie Kievit, Netherlands Reformed Christian School;
• Jordan LaTorre, Pequannock Township;
• Matthew Leccese, Butler;
• Sara Lidsky, Lakeland Regional;
• Camila Lovato, Pompton Lakes;
• Haley Mathis, Kinnelon;
• Lisa Mendoza, Pompton Lakes;
• Sireyah Mesbeh, Kinnelon;
• DaEun (Didi) Mun, Pompton Lakes;
• Christopher Prol, Pequannock Township;
• Stephanie Ruiz, Butler;
• Ellaijah Serrano, Pompton Lakes;
• Joseph Toscano, Butler;
• Taylor Van Grouw, Netherlands Reformed Christian School;
• Alexander Verkaik, Kinnelon;
• Yllza Zhuta, Pompton Lakes