OneAmerica, a mutual insurance holding company, announced that Indiana Wesleyan University sophomore Sydney Delgado has been selected as a 2016 Life Lessons Scholarship recipient. The scholarship is awarded annually in coordination with Life Happens—a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial support to current and aspiring college students who have lost a parent. The program aims to highlight the need for families to include life insurance in financial plans.
Delgado was only three months old when her mother passed away from skin cancer. Growing up, she shouldered many responsibilities including holding multiple jobs to help support herself and her family. She currently works three jobs while simultaneously pursuing a Christian ministries major with a global ministries minor. Her degree focus will prepare her to serve in cross-cultural church-based Christian ministry.
“This scholarship helps me continue in my field of study without being worried about having to drop out, not making ends meet or not being able to pay tuition,” said Delgado. “This money opens a lot of doors, but the main one is allowing me to continue onto my goal towards earning a higher education degree.”
Delgado was presented with the $5,000 scholarship check on Wednesday morning at the Indianapolis Hilton in front of an audience of over 250 financial professionals.
“Our hope for Sydney is that this scholarship provides both a well-deserved financial boost and some peace of mind as she pursues her dream of becoming affiliated with a ministry that helps people around the world,” said Pat Foley, OneAmerica president of Individual Life and Financial Services.
Pictured, left to right: Jeff Semler (left), president of Indianapolis-based Semler Financial Group; Sydney Delgado; and Josh Hauser (right), OneAmerica vice president and chief agency officer.
