Hazelwood Resident Wins Scholarship Dream Award from Everest College

Even at a young age, Hazelwood resident Lori Anderson dreamed of a career in health care one day. Her inclination to help others began when she first joined her mother – a registered nurse – on home visits to patients. However, Anderson’s life took a series of turns and her dream was put on hold for decades until she was able to further her education.

In recognition of her efforts and personal accomplishments, Anderson is the winner of Everest College-St. Louis’ 2013 Dream Award, which recognizes one graduate who has completed a post-secondary education while overcoming extraordinary challenges.

As the single mother of five children, Anderson’s family always is her first priority. When her children became older, Lori tried several times to earn a degree in the medical field, but suffered serious health complications – including several major strokes and malignant hypertension – that continually kept her from graduating. But she didn’t give up.  

“A passion for health care is in me,” said Anderson. “Even after I became sick and struggled to keep my dream alive, I knew I still had it in me – and it drove me to succeed.” 

Finally, after years of trying to overcome barriers – and with the encouragement of her family – Anderson decided to pursue her passion for health care and take her life into a new direction by enrolling in the medical assistant program at Everest College-St. Louis.

At Everest, despite her health challenges, she maintained both stellar grades and inspired her instructors and fellow students with her selflessness and determination. In addition to her academic successes, Anderson was inducted as a Student Ambassador where she mentored students and organized student activities, such as fundraisers.  

With a diploma in hand and new career opportunities ahead of her, Anderson says she is finally living the life she had always dreamed she would.

“Lori is an inspiration to all of her instructors, classmates and Everest staff,” said Chad Freeman, campus president at Everest College-St. Louis. “We are proud of her for finding a way to succeed while overcoming enormous personal obstacles, and wish her continued success in fulfilling her education and career goals.”

As a Dream Award winner, Lori will receive a $2,500 Everest scholarship to pursue further education.

About Everest College

Everest College provides career-oriented diploma programs in the health care, skilled trades and business fields. Programs and schedules vary by campus. Everest has nearly 100 schools in the U.S. and Canada, and is owned by Corinthian Colleges, Inc., one of the largest post-secondary education companies in North America. For more information, visit www.everest.edu.  For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program and other important information, please visit our website at www.everest.edu/disclosures.