Friendship Senior Options Foundation has awarded 2019 Paul J. Schaffhausen Memorial Scholarships to four outstanding graduating high school seniors. Gabriella Armijos of Streamwood and Peter Mertka of Geneva received associate scholarships, which are given to employees at Friendship Village of Schaumburg and GreenFields of Geneva respectively. Hafsa Amir of Hoffman Estates and Dia Nicole Allamian of St. Charles received community scholarships, which are given to students living within the Schaumburg and Geneva area. All of the students received $1,000 awards.
Friendship Senior Options operates Friendship Village and GreenFields senior living communities. The Friendship Senior Options Foundation fosters an environment of philanthropic giving in order to enrich the lives of seniors in the area. Supporting education is integral to the Foundation.
Formerly known as the Friendship Senior Options Foundation Scholarships, the awards were renamed in 2019 in memory of Paul J. Schaffhausen, a longtime board member and friend of Friendship Senior Options. He was known and respected for his outstanding leadership and integrity, and his dedication to education and lifelong learning.
Each of the many applications received for the scholarships was reviewed anonymously by a selection committee led by residents of both communities, a Foundation board member, and a Foundation staff member. The applications were scored on categories including academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community service, work experience, recognition and honors, essay response, and candidates’ embodiment of FSO core values.
The Paul J. Schaffhausen Memorial Scholarships are an annual part of the Foundation’s efforts to positively impact its communities.
