Since the LIFE Lessons Scholarship Program was established in 2005, scholarship awards have been granted to many deserving young people, all of whom have various things in common. They know what it’s like to lose a parent or guardian at a very early age. They’re determined to get a college education in the hopes of enriching their lives and living up to their full potential. And they all have a first-hand understanding of how losing a parent at a young age can impact a family’s finances and make it harder to achieve important goals like paying for college.
We encourage you to take a few minutes to watch and read the stories of some of our past scholarship recipients. Their stories speak to the strength of the human spirit. All of these young people have faced great adversity, but they are determined not to allow it to get in the way of achieving their life goals. Their stories also underscore the importance of making smart financial plans for the future. None of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. So if you’re a parent and have children who would suffer financially if you were to die prematurely, you need to include life insurance in your financial plans.
Grand Prize Essay Winner
Chezerea Ortiz • $10,000 Scholarship
Pima Medical Institute
Chezerea at age 20 had to take matters in her own hands when her dad suffered a stroke and died six months later. She had to put off college and become her family’s sole breadwinner, working long hours at several jobs to cover her family’s basic living needs.
Read moreSkylar Baird
Diamond Davis
Ryan Faries
Mahogany Fleming
Oscar Genesin
Josh Gleim
Kenyatta Kaigler
Sarah Keefer
Kirtus Lorett
Micah Morton
Yasmine Moss
Ariana Wascher
Grand Prize Essay Winner
Esther Kim • $10,000 Scholarship
Oglethorpe University
Esther’s dad was the sole breadwinner when he suffered a stroke leaving him unable to work. Her family struggled to make ends meet, and things became more difficult when her dad died and didn’t have life insurance.
Read moreKarim Abouelnaga
Brittnee Clary
Kaitlyn Donovan
Stephanie Downing
Mashell Ewing
Giavanna Ficarra
Jarell Green
Austin Haner
Jessica Hively
Fariha Hoque
Tianxin Ku
Susanna Manthei
Massih Zaboli
Grand Prize Video Winner
Jack Korslin • $5,000 Scholarship
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Jack’s dad was a real estate investor and died in a car accident when Jack was a senior in high school. His dad did not own individual life insurance, and his family endured hardships because of it.
Read more
Grand Prize Essay Winner
Lee Geffre • $5,000 Scholarship
University of St. Thomas
When Lee’s parents died a decade apart she became the sole provider for her younger brothers. With no life insurance in place Lee had to work several jobs to pay for necessities and eventually trading college for some financial stability.
Read more
Grand Prize Essay Winner
Sabrina Green • $5,000 Scholarship
Converse College
Sabrina lost her mom and grandmother within five years, and eventually she was homeless at the age of 16. Without any life insurance, Sabrina had to work long hours while trying to succeed academically as a full time student.
Read more
Grand Prize Essay Winner
Tyler Leifeste • $5,000 Scholarship
Angelina Junior College
Tyler’s dad died after a routine surgery. Life insurance provided some financial relief, however, they wish they had purchased more. Shortly afterwards, Tyler’s mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and his family lost their home to Hurricane Ike. Despite these challenges, the family has persevered.
Read more
Grand Prize Essay Winner
Courtney Peterson • $5,000 Scholarship
South Dakota State University
Courtney’s mom lost her five year battle with cancer leaving behind a husband and four children. Thankfully, her mom did have health and life insurance which helped cover medical costs and kept their farm running.
Read moreChelsea Jenkins
Nikki Lewis
Alexandrea McKee
Christine Pittman
Margaret Shrager
Grand Prize Essay Winner
Tracy Basden • $5,000 Scholarship
Neumann College
Tracy’s dad, a single father, owned life insurance but dropped it when money was tight. Sadly, he died when his children were still teenagers, leaving them in a precarious financial situation. Through hard work and determination, Tracy and Matthew Basden have persevered.
Read more
Grand Prize Video Winner
Morgan Snyder • $5,000 Scholarship
Western Carolina University
Morgan’s parents purchased life insurance even though money was tight. The life insurance helped significantly when Morgan was 11, and her dad died in a truck fire. Without life insurance her family would not have been able to afford a funeral or headstone.
Read moreAshley Box
Janette Norrington
Jeremy Pittman
Ashley Schleimer
Marie Shols
Chelsea Stanley
Leah Thompson
Grand Prize Essay Winner
Brijna Canter • $5,000 Scholarship
University of Central Florida
Brijna’s dad had been ill as a result of his work in construction, but no one anticipated that he would die at 44. He owned life insurance, but let his policy lapse a few years earlier when money was tight. Since his passing, their family has struggled to keep the family afloat financially.
Read more
Grand Prize Video Winner
Zachary Cyran • $5,000 Scholarship
Bowling Green State University
At age 7, Zachary’s dad died from a heart attack. His dad’s small life insurance policy helped pay for funeral costs, but his family has struggled bouncing back financially.
Read moreJessica Davis
Casey Laggan
Marshall Manning
Grand Prize Essay Winner
Jermaine Suggs • $5,000 Scholarship
Concordia College
Jermaine lost his grandmother and father within a week’s time. His father left behind a business deeply in debt and no life insurance, forcing Jermaine to rework his future. He left college and began working to help his mother out and to put money aside to eventually return to school.
Read moreNiki Baerman
Christen Gonosz
Michael Silva
Grand Prize Essay Winner
Laura Diss • $5,000 Scholarship
Wellesley College
Laura's dad died suddenly, he left no life insurance and no estate. In addition to the emotional grief Laura was feeling, she also had to deal with financial stress. Laura had to leave school to help cope with her dad’s death and to help her brother.
Read moreShaunicie Fielder
Jenny Gambill
Margaret Truitt
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