8 Fox Valley High School Grads Awarded Scholarships From Covenant Living At The Holmstad

Press release from Batavia Chamber of Commerce:

BATAVIA, IL — The Resident Association of Covenant Living at the Holmstad has awarded scholarships to eight graduating high school seniors employed at the senior living community. The students were recognized during a recent celebration dinner on campus.

The scholarships are funded primarily through proceeds from the Holmstad’s annual fall Bazaar, where residents sell handmade items and donated merchandise. Applicants were evaluated on school and community involvement, and future academic goals. Awards of $1,400 or $1,600 were distributed, with amounts determined by each student’s length of employment.

“Our scholarship recipients have been loyal and dedicated workers at the Holmstad and have expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to serve residents and become part of the Holmstad family,” said Cookie Olson, chair of the scholarship committee. “As residents we are proud of each of them, and we wish them success and happiness in their future endeavors.”

Those receiving scholarships in 2026 include students from the following schools:

Geneva High School

• Aiden Biebart will pursue a biomedical degree at the College of DuPage.
• Ephraim Newcome plans to attend Waubonsee Community College to pursue a career as an electrician.
  
  Batavia High School

• Dexter Skonie will attend Waubonsee Community College to pursue a career as in welding.
• Emma Skonie will attend Southern Illinois University for a degree in medical social work.
• Heather Miller will attend Colorado State University pursuing a career in wildlife and conservation biology.
• Caiden Duchek will attend Southeast Missouri State University.
  
  West Aurora High School

• Makayla Anselmo is seeking a degree in social work and will attend Waubonsee Community College.
  
  Waubonsee Valley High School

• Owen Robles will attend College of DuPage and seeks to become a pipefitter.

Additionally, five other graduating seniors who have been employed at the Holmstad but did not apply for scholarships were each given a gift of $50 in appreciation of their service.

Student employees from Covenant Living at the Holmstad were recently awarded scholarships from the senior living community. Pictured are from left to right: Owen Robles, Aiden Biebart, Heather Miller, Makayla Anselmo, Dexter Skonie, Emma Skonie, Ephraim Newcome, and Caiden Duchek.

ABOUT COVENANT LIVING AT THE HOLMSTAD

Covenant Living at the Holmstad is a faith-based, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community located at 700 W. Fabyan Parkway, Batavia, IL. It offers residential independent living, catered living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services. It is administered by Covenant Living Communities and Services, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit senior services providers. Covenant Living serves nearly 6,000 residents at 20 senior living communities nationwide and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information on Covenant Living at the Holmstad, call 877-226-7310 or visit www.CovLivingHolmstad.org.

This press release was produced by Batavia Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.