FOURTEEN DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS SELECTED TO RECEIVE LEADINGAGE KANSAS FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

TOPEKA, Kan. – In 2026, the LeadingAge Kansas Foundation is excited to support 14 professionals with a total of $11,800 in scholarships designed to advance their careers in long-term care. The recipients bring a variety of ambitions to the field, from nursing and administration to healthcare leadership and beyond, all contributing to the future of aging services. This marks the 15th consecutive year the Foundation has recognized and invested in individuals dedicated to serving older adults across Kansas.

"Kansas needs talented, compassionate professionals who are committed to serving older adults, and that future depends on people who are willing to continue learning and leading. These scholarship recipients represent the very best of our profession—from direct caregivers to clinical leaders and administrators. The LeadingAge Kansas Foundation is proud to invest in your future because we know your growth will strengthen organizations and improve the lives of those you serve every day. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement.”

– Rachel Monger, President & CEO, LeadingAge Kansas

Scholarship winners include:

• Alexandria Allen of Cheyenne County Village in St. Francis to pursue an associate’s degree in nursing and RN licensure.  
• Samantha Dirks of Moundridge Manor in Moundridge to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. 
• Alexis Eron of Ascension Living Via Christi Village in Manhattan to complete the KACE AIT program. 
• El Hocine Hammi of Village Shalom in Overland Park to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.  
• Daphne McTague of Topside Manor in Goodland to pursue a Death Doula certification. 
• Emily Paul of Lakeview Village in Lenexa to pursue a master’s degree in social work. 
• Bailey Porter of Dooley Center in Atchison to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. 
• Clara Regier of Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton to pursue an associate’s degree in nursing. 
• Leighton Reid of Wheatlands Health Care Center in Kingman to pursue pre-requisites for a nursing degree. 
• Mariah Schrader of Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community in Buhler to complete the KACE AIT Program. 
• Valarie Tellez of Prairie Sunset Home in Pretty Prairie to pursue LPN licensure. 
• Melinda Thompson of Pioneer Lodge in Coldwater to pursue LPN licensure.  
• Athena Vincent of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor to purse an associate’s degree in nursing.  
• Kyle Whedon of Lakeview Village in Lenexa to pursue a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management. 

Alexandria Allen Cheyenne County Village	Samantha Dirks Moundridge Manor	Alexis Eron Ascension Living Via Christi Village Manhattan	El Hocine Hammi Village Shalom
Daphne McTague Topside Manor	Emily Paul Lakeview Village	Bailey Porter Dooley Center	Clara Regier Kidron Bethel Village
Leighton Reid Wheatlands Health Care Center	Mariah Schrader Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community	Valarie Tellez Prairie Sunset Home	Melinda Thompson Pioneer Lodge
Athena Vincent Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor	Kyle Whedon Lakeview Village

If you are interested in donating to the LeadingAge Kansas Scholarship Fund to grow future generations of caregivers, please go to www.leadingagekansas.org/donate. 100% of your donation goes directly to scholarships.

The LeadingAge Kansas Foundation is the 501 (c)(3) arm of the trade association LeadingAge Kansas. Their members include nursing homes, assisted living residences, life plan communities, hospice, home health, PACE, home delivered meals and much more. Hiring, retaining, and supporting individuals to work in the field is a central priority of the association and foundation. Each year, generous individuals and companies donate to provide scholarships specifically for those working in the field. Learn more at www.leadingagekansas.org/foundation.