From The Highlands at Wyomissing®
Pictured above: Front row: Amy Reinsel, Barbara Kline, Gary Rightmire, Ysole Carr, Nolin Bourland, Natalie Motz, Brielle Turner, Amelia Schmidt, Renee Dietrich, Sue Wachs, Greg Stoddard, and Tom Allmon. Back row: Ana Lawrence, Jocelyn Dietz, Isabella Rowley, Elyahna Soto, Natalie Long, Kassandra Rodriguez, Kalie Shulski, Onyx Shulski, Reece Baines, Valleri Addis, Isabella Samolewicz, and Kara High. Scholarship recipients not pictured: Natalie Bonnette, Shayleen Cortes, Gianna DiPasquale, Kimberly Nieves, Chase Rapp, Chastity Rodriguez, Quaniah Tisdale, Connie Weyandt, and Savannah Wolf.
The resident-led Highlands at Wyomissing® Scholarship Committee proudly celebrated a milestone moment this year, awarding $2,000 scholarships to an unprecedented 26 employees, the largest group of recipients in the program’s history. The annual scholarship award ceremony and reception brought together employees, families, and residents on Thursday, May 28, for an inspiring evening honoring dedication, ambition, and the power of community support.
Established in 2019, The Highlands at Wyomissing® Scholarship Program continues to grow in both reach and impact. Designed to support employees pursuing education at traditional colleges and universities, community colleges, trade schools, and advanced certificate programs, the initiative has now awarded nearly $150,000 in scholarships and raised close to $400,000 toward its long-term endowment goal. This year’s record-breaking number of awardees reflects the program’s expanding influence and the community’s unwavering commitment to investing in its team members’ futures.
“We are thrilled to recognize the largest group of scholarship recipients our community has ever supported,” said Kevin DeAcosta, President and CEO of The Highlands at Wyomissing®. “Each of these employees brings passion, purpose, and a drive to grow; not only for themselves, but for the residents they serve every day. Since the program’s inception, the resident-led Scholarship Committee has awarded over 100 scholarships, empowering our team to pursue their educational dreams. This is what a thriving, supportive community looks like.”
DeAcosta also expressed appreciation for the Scholarship Fund Committee members whose leadership continues to strengthen the program: Amy Reinsel, Chair, along with Renee Dietrich, Sue Wachs, Barbara Kline, Gary Rightmire, and Tom Allmon.
Employees applying for the scholarship must have at least one year of service at The Highlands, demonstrate clear plans for education beyond high school, and be in good standing. Applicants submit an essay describing their career goals and the role The Highlands plays in supporting those goals, followed by an interview with the Scholarship Committee.
This year’s record number of awardees reflects not only the ambition of Highlands employees, but also the generosity and vision of the residents who champion this program. Together, they are building a legacy of opportunity that will shape careers — and lives — for years to come.
2026 Scholarship Fund Winners:
- Valleri Addis, Penn State Berks, Dining Services
- Reece Baines, University of Delaware, Dining Services
- Natalie Bonnette, Indiana University of PA, Dining Services
- Nolin Bourland, Albright College, Dining Services
- Ysole Carr, Lycoming College, Dining Services
- Shayleen Cortes, Reading Area Community College, Home Care
- Jocelyn Dietz, Eastern University, Dining Services
- Gianna DiPasquale, University of Pittsburgh, Dining Services
- Kara High, Penn State University, Dining Services
- Ana Lawrence, Penn State Berks, Dining Services
- Natalie Long, Millersville University, Health Services
- Natalie Motz, Saint Joseph’s University, Dining Services
- Kimberly Nieves, Alvernia University, Dining Services
- Chase Rapp, Shippensburg University, Dining Services
- Chasity Rodriguez, Reading Area Community College, Home Care
- Kassandra Rodriguez, Penn State University, Health Services
- Isabella Rowley, Reading Area Community College, Health Services
- Isabella Samolewicz, Indiana University of PA, Dining Services
- Amelia Schmidt, Rochester Institute of Technology, Dining Services
- Kalie Shulski, Reading Area Community College, Dining Services
- Kylie (Onyx) Shulski, Susquehanna University, Dining Services
- Elyahna Soto, Lancaster County Career and Technology, Health Services
- Quaniah Tisdale, Reading Area Community College, Dining Services
- Brielle Turner, Alvernia University, Dining Services
- Connie Weyandt, Temple University, Dining Services
- Savannah Wolf, Berks Technical Institute, Resident & Community Services
About The Highlands at Wyomissing®
For more than 36 years, The Highlands at Wyomissing® has remained the only nonprofit senior living community in Berks County to offer a Type A life care contract. The Highlands at Wyomissing is a Continuing Care Retirement Community that sets the standard of excellence in retirement living by providing exceptional quality of life, security, and value. The Highlands allows its residents to maintain active lifestyles with peace of mind for the future. This nonprofit organization is focused on transforming the senior experience. For more information about The Highlands at Wyomissing, visit thehighlands.org.
