Scholar Barbecue Celebrates Another Successful School Year

June 10, 2026

Mercy Home alumni reunited this spring for the annual Scholars Barbecue, a celebration recognizing another successful school year and the academic accomplishments of former residents who currently receive educational assistance from the Home.

Current scholars, graduates, and Mercy Home coworkers gathered for an evening of food and conversation.

“I love seeing our scholars connect with one another,” Katie Keller Smith, director of ongoing programs and supports, said. “They get so excited to see each other.”

Mercy Home scholars are former residents and Community Care members who remain actively connected to Mercy Home through its scholarship program. In addition to financial assistance for tuition, housing, fees, and school expenses, scholars receive ongoing support from care managers who regularly check in throughout the year.

“You have to have C’s or better, maintain acceptable behavior, and meet weekly with your care manager,” Morgan Kuhn, director of post-secondary options, career resources & scholarships, said. “The high schoolers come in once a month for group meetings because they’re closer, and college students get visited by us once a semester.”

Scholars take out federal loans, with Mercy Home covering the remaining tuition and, in some cases, housing costs if requirements are met. As an added incentive, unsubsidized loans are paid off at the end of the term for scholars who earn Bs or better.

To be considered for the scholarship, a student must demonstrate a strong commitment to their education and actively engage in a supportive partnership with Community Care. This includes weekly communication with their care managers, and participation in the scholar community and mandatory events, including the summer scholar retreat, and tutoring.

Kuhn said the barbecue celebrates much more than academic achievement.

“It’s an important event to celebrate all of their accomplishments not only academically, but socially, emotionally, and mentally,” Kuhn said. “They’ve been working so hard, and you get the report card; but that’s only one fraction of what they’ve been working on all year.”

Daniel Nelson, vice president of Community Care, continued a long-standing tradition by serving dinner from the grill. The barbecue isn’t the only time that the scholars connect during the year. The program begins in the fall where the group meets for a retreat filled with learning and community building. It offers new scholars the chance to connect with returning scholars, helping to create a strong, supportive community alongside the Home’s care team. In the winter, they also meet for a holiday dinner.

For scholars like Lali, the program’s support system has made a lasting impact.

“My favorite part of the scholarship is having someone to fall back on when it feels like there is nobody to fall back on,” Lali said. “I love the stability that it provides me with still being in school and still being able to connect with all my peers from way back when.”

Others said the scholarship program has helped them build relationships and prepare for their futures.

“I enjoy the scholarship program because it allows me to reconnect with old friends,” Gaby said. “It also helps me make new connections, find new job opportunities, and build up my résumé. I love having a community that supports me.”

Rogelio said the relationships formed through the program have been especially meaningful.

“My favorite part is how many opportunities it offers,” Rogelio said. “I’ve built relationships with different scholars and found new mentors. Communication is a big thing that I appreciate.”

The barbecue also gave younger scholars an opportunity to celebrate graduates who recently completed major milestones, including earning college and graduate degrees.

“Since we have a number of folks who are graduating, it’s fun to celebrate them but also have the other scholars look up to them and imagine that this will be them next year or in two years,” Keller Smith said. “It gives them something to keep working toward.”