Riderwood Honors Its 2013 Student Scholar Recipients

SILVER SPRING, MD---Honoring academic excellence and workplace achievement, Riderwood, the Erickson Living retirement community, held its 2013 High School Scholarship Awards Ceremony on April 18th.
Twenty high school seniors from Montgomery and Prince George's Counties who are employed in the Dining Services Department of Riderwood earned four-year collegiate scholarships.  The value of these awards is $1,000 per semester for a total of $8,000 per student.
Levern Allen is a resident of Riderwood who serves on the 11-member Scholarship Committee.  In her congratulatory remarks, Ms. Allen stated that "our community is so fortunate that strong bonds are created between residents and the student employees.   We don't see these students as waiters or waitresses.  We see them as future professionals, paying their taxes and contributing to the community."
During the ceremony, Fiona Divecha, Philanthropy Manager at Riderwood, announced that over $214,000 has been raised for the program.  That total is overwhelmingly comprised of donations made by residents during a drive that began on January 1st. 
Since 2002, Riderwood has received more than $1.7 million in contributions for its scholars' program with 396 students earning scholarships.
Michael Durso, a member of the Montgomery County Board of Education, provided the keynote address.  Nancy Floreen, Montgomery County Council and Daryl Williams, Director of Student Services for Prince George's County Public Schools, were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony.
Riderwood has also announced a new Adult Learner Scholarship for its employees. 
High School Scholarship Recipients 2013:
Oumou Cisse: High Point High School   Jeenaba Deme: Blake High School  Niakia Elliott: Springbrook High School Jennifer Gomez: High Point High School Funmilayo Harris: Blake High School  Funmilola Harris: Blake High School Edrin Kisaka: Paint Branch High School  Josue Louissaint: High Point High School  Samia Maeruf: Springbrook High School Ejikeme Obizoba: High Point High School Ijeoma Obizoba: High Point High School  Ucheoma Onungwa: Springbrook High School  Karen Perez: Paint Branch High School Melissa Phipps: High Point High School  Hytzell Pinto: High Point High School  Twelde Semere: Blair High School  Julia Stewart: Blake High School  Jean-Luis Suazo Betancourt: Blake High School   Precious Weke: High Point High School  Stella Yakam: Paint Branch High School 
About Erickson Living:  Based in Baltimore, Maryland, Erickson Living is a nation-leading developer and manager of continuing care retirement communities.  The Erickson Living network currently comprises sixteen campuses in Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia, which together are home to more than 22,000 residents and employ more than 12,000 people.  Further information regarding Erickson Living is available at:  www.ericksonliving.com.

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