New Hope

New Hope Awards $11,500 Through It’s Norm Olberding Scholarship Program

May 9, 2022

CARROLL, IOWA (Monday, May 9, 2022) – Each spring, New Hope proudly awards scholarships to employees working toward continued education or advanced degrees of any kind.

New Hope’s Scholarship Program is titled the Norm Olberding Scholarship program, named after Norm Olberding, of Odebolt. Norm made a significant gift to New Hope in 1999 in memory of his wife, Millie.

“Norm and Millie understood the vital role caregivers play in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Specifically, they wanted their gift to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities by supporting the recruitment and retention of New Hope employees. Since then, the Norm Olberding Scholarship program has awarded numerous scholarships, including more than 40 scholarships in just the last 5 years to active employees, making Norm and Millie’s dream come true through their progressive gift,” explains Lacie Tedrow, New Hope’s Director of Quality Assurance and Staff Training.

The Norm Olberding Scholarship awards are granted based on service and dedication to New Hope. For every month an individual is employed with New Hope, and works more than 15 hours during that month, that employee earns a scholarship award. There are no limitations on what schools or degrees the scholarships can be used toward, giving recipients the opportunity to take this earned educational benefit with them anywhere.

“For a lot of our employees, particularly those still in high school, the scholarship program gives them a good jump start on their secondary education. And the fact that it can be used to pursue any degree or certification is an added bonus. Many of our long-time employees have also taken advantage of the program to pursue additional or higher education opportunities,” adds Tedrow.

New Hope’s 2022 Norm Olberding Scholarship recipients are:

• Hayli Van De Walker, graduating Carroll High School and planning to attend Des Moines Area Community College to pursue a degree in elementary education.
• Kenedy Schaefer, Carroll High School, plans to attend Des Moines Area Community College to pursue a degree in nursing.
• Erin Campbell, attending Des Moines Area Community College and pursing a degree in liberal arts and an accounting certificate.
• Arati Rai, attending Des Moines Area Community College and working toward a degree in nursing.
• McKenna Vincent, graduating from Carroll High School and planning to attend Iowa State University to work toward a degree in elementary education.
• Erin Williams, attending Iowa Central Community College to pursue an education in human resources.
• Gabe Obert, graduating from Coon Rapids-Bayard High school with plans to attend Iowa State University and work towards a degree in criminal justice.
• Alexandria Klein, graduating from Kuemper Catholic High School, plans to attend Iowa State University and pursue a double major in psychology and English, as well as a graduate degree in psychology.
• Brent Lloyd, graduating from Glidden-Ralston High School, plans to attend Northwest Iowa Community College to earn an education in power technology/lineman.
• Megan Brincks, attending Des Moines Area Community College and working toward a nursing degree.