OGR Foundation OGR Foundation OGR Foundation Grants ‘Awards of Excellence’ Scholarships This year, two students were awarded scholarships through OGR’s charitable foundation. Both demonstrated solid academic performance, community involvement and a dedication to the independent funeral service model OGR stands for. Mariah Banks of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science won the Gold level scholarship for $3,500. She has a 3.59 GPA and will graduate in September. Banks is already working as a Funeral Director’s Assistant at a funeral home in Pittsburgh. Mariah Banks (photo provided) “I would like to pass on the trust and compassion shown to families in my community, previously by Ms. Pauline H. Gordon,” Banks said in her scholarship essay. “Ms. Gordon’s business was the only minority-run funeral home in my area during her time. It still has the reputation of being the best, long after her passing and closing in 2003. Money was not a concern. She instead cared about those who lost. I want to be that kind of person and own a business that cares about the pain of others. I aspire to one day operate my own business in an elegant and impressive manner. As an individual and professional in my community, I aspire to incorporate excellence, trust, care, originality and growth into my daily life. I want to advance your average funeral service to a level far beyond your standard amenity. I believe that everyone deserves personal service of the highest quality.” Kenneth Wortman of Fayetteville Technical Community College won the Silver level scholarship for $2,000. Wortman is a full-time student with a 3.97 GPA who expects to graduate in December. He currently works as a Funeral Service Apprentice at a chapel in Charlotte, FOUNDATION North Carolina, but wants to open his own funeral home one day that would specialize in traditional burial, cremation, green burial, alkaline hydrolysis and restorative reconstruction. “I hope to make a difference in the funeral industry, and restore the trust that has been lost,” he said. “Funerals have been overpriced for years, which has led to the rise of cremation. I want to make funerals affordable again, offer old and new methods of disposition, and offer restorative reconstruction. I want to truly pour my heart and work into the community, and provide options that aren’t typically available. I have always stood behind my reputation and work ethic, and I believe that I can change the view on the funeral industry over my career, not just locally but nationally. I hope to leave a legacy of trust, hard work ethic and a morally sound business for my children, that the community can rally behind.” The OGR Foundation is a registered charitable organization under IRS Tax Code 501(c)(3), making all donations fully tax deductible as a chartitable donation. Support the future of funeral service by making a donation today at OGR.org/Foundation. www.ogr.org | The Independent® 39
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