Arlington, Va. — Life Happens, a nonprofit dedicated to educating consumers about the importance of life insurance and other related products for sound financial planning, announces the recipients of the 2019 Life Lessons Scholarship Program. Since 2005, the program has helped over 600 students achieve their goal of a college education. Life Happens sponsors this program to recognize the emotional and financial strain these students experience following the death of a parent or guardian who had little or no life insurance in place.
For 2019 scholarship recipient Trinity Pearson of Alpharetta, Ga., she never imagined her mom passing away and the agonizing pain she would experience months before starting college. As a single parent, Trinity’s mom had struggled working two jobs to pay the bills and make sure her daughter was happy and could achieve her dream of going off to college. Like many, her mom talked about getting life insurance, but it always fell to the bottom of her list. So, when her mother died unexpectedly, Trinity’s college plans were left on hold. Now, with the help of a Life Lessons scholarship, Trinity is enrolled in the University of Georgia and studying supply chain management.
Life Happens recognizes the hardship many young people like Trinity have to face when a family member passes without a financial safety net like life insurance in place. Through the program, the nonprofit has awarded a record $247,500 in scholarships to 32 students this year alone.
“As we enter the 15th year of the Life Lessons Scholarship Program, the initiative continues to reinforce the crucial role life insurance plays in financially protecting a family’s futures,” said Faisa Stafford, President and CFO of Life Happens. “We are so grateful for these students across America sharing their stories, and we hope it inspires families to get the advice and plan ahead to support their loved ones.”
The full list of 2019 Life Lesson Scholarship Recipients includes:
- Life Happens $20,000 Scholarship Recipient (1): Trinity Pearson (University of Georgia)
- Pacific Life $15,000 Scholarship Recipients (5): Danayeat Abraha (Howard University); Gavin Lundin (Woodbury University, Burbank); Kielana Bryant (University of California, Davis); Mariana Goettemoeller (Benedictine College); MaryRose Hillock (George Washington University)
- AIG Direct $10,000 Scholarship Recipients (3): Justin Holston (Mount San Antonio College); Curtis Garmon (University of Tennessee, Knoxville); Melissa Monaghan (Lee University)
- American Family $10,000 Scholarship Recipient (1): James Skellie (University of Cincinnati)
- Legal & General America $10,000 Scholarship Recipient (1): Mary Anastasi (University of Maryland, Baltimore County)
- Country Financial $5,000 Scholarship Recipients (10): Abuline Fofanah (University of Nevada, Reno); Austin Navickis (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign); Brenna Larkin (Truman State University); Dylan Billhartz (Kaskasia College); Elizabeth Baubkus; Hope Green-Brooks (Oregon State University); Joseph Lawhorn (University of Georgia); Olivia Knudson (Seattle University); Tiahna Harris (Tennessee State University); Trevor Hellman (Navarro College)
- MIB $5,000 Scholarship Recipients (2): Freya Wittaker (Dickinson College); Catherine Brockner (University of Vermont)
- Swiss Re $5,000 Scholarship Recipients (2): Charlie Sullivan; Amber Albury (Florida International University)
- Ameritas $5,000 Scholarship Recipient (2): Chassidy Walworth (St. Cloud State University)
- Forum400 $5,000 Scholarship Recipient (1): Jennifer Pride (Dixie State University)
- LIDMA $5,000 Scholarship Recipient (1): Wycliff Lumba (University of Texas at San Antonio)
- Zander $5,000 Scholarship Recipients (2): Elizabeth Hess (Auburn University); Taylor Collins (Maryville College)
- Zander $2,500 Scholarship Recipient (1): Brooke Hill (West Chester University)
Applications for the 2020 Life Lessons Scholarship Program will open February 1, 2020. To apply, students submit either a 500-word essay or a three-minute video discussing how the death of their parent or guardian affected their life financially and emotionally. For more information about Life Happens’ Life Lessons Scholarship Program, visit www.lifehappens.org/lifelessons.
About Life Happens
Life Happens is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers take personal financial responsibility through the ownership of life insurance and related products. The organization does not endorse any product, company or insurance advisor. Since its inception in 1994, Life Happens has provided the highest quality, independent and objective information for people seeking help with their insurance buying decisions. The organization supports the insurance industry by providing marketing tools and resources through its Life Happens Pro platform, and convening the industry each September for Life Insurance Awareness Month. Life Happens is supported by more than 140 of the nation’s leading insurance company and financial services organizations. To learn more, visit www.lifehappens.org.
Media Contacts
KWT Global for Life Happens
Olivia Janicelli
lifehappens@kwtglobal.com
646-989-8168