SCHOLARSHIPS

GHS Federal Credit Union, has awarded SUNY ESF freshman Larissa Perlmutter a $250 scholarship. Entries were judged based on grades, leadership activities and extracurricular interests, teacher recommendations, standardized test scores, and an essay on the subject, “How will your college education help you achieve your career goals?” Credit Union ONE, Ferndale, Mich., has awarded a full tuition scholarship to Holy Redeemer High School senior Roberto Benitez. Prior to the scholarship, Benitez has paid his own tuition by doing custodial work around the school. Scholarship recipients must be a junior or senior student demonstrating need, good citizenship, good grade point average, commitment to community and family, Credit Union ONE membership, and write a one-page essay describing their life goals, and how Holy Redeemer helped them achieve these aspirations. Many of the students attending Holy Redeemer reside in the immediate neighborhood where family income levels are less than $16,000. About 75% of Holy Redeemer graduates go on to college or attend a trade school. Credit Union ONE has also recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship to University of Michigan freshman Jodi Chasteen for her outstanding academics and community involvement. Chasteen plans to pursue a degree in pre-med. Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union, Valley Stream, N.Y., has awarded a total of 74 scholarships to seniors. Seventy students were awarded the Francis A. De Mita scholarship, which is based on criteria established by individual Nassau County high schools. The remaining four $500 scholarship recipients were selected for their academic excellence and service to the community. For the past 12 years NEFCU has awarded over $414,000 to graduating seniors. Meriwest Credit Union, San Jose, Calif., has awarded scholarships to four high school students who finished first place in its annual scholarship competition. Students were asked to prepare a 1,000-word essay on “How has the credit union industry evolved from its origins through the years and how can membership with Meriwest Credit Union benefit young adults?” A panel of five judges consisting of professionals from leading marketing and advertising agencies evaluated each entry on accuracy, content, clarity of expression, grammar, neatness and composition. This year’s scholarship recipients are Presentation High School freshman Lisa Donaldson, $100; St. Francis H.S. sophomore Theresa Condon $100; University H.S. junior Steven Kern $500; and Bellarmine College Prep senior Neal Vora $1,000. Another seven students placing second and third place received scholarships up to $500 depending on their class status. USA Federal Credit Union, San Diego, Calif., has awarded five $1,500 scholarships to graduating seniors. Applicants were invited to submit an essay entitled, “Why I Should Receive the Scholarship” along with their high school transcripts. Entries were received from student members from California, Nevada, Guam, Korea and Japan. This year’s Martin P. Cassell Student Scholarship recipients are David Lewis, III, Mark R. Malicdem, Iris Sue McClead, Jennifer A. Smith, and DeAna J. Tucker. California Center Credit Union, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., has awarded its annual $500 Future Leaders Scholarship Award to high-school senior Christine Lai. Ms. Lai was chosen based on a combination of her transcripts from high school and her 500-word application essay explaining why the credit union should select her for this scholarship. CCCU began the Future Leaders Scholarship Award Program in 1992 to invest in youth and the future. Postal Community Credit Union, Boston, has awarded individual scholarships of $1,000 from the PCCU Charitable Foundation to 15 members. The Postal Community Credit Union has been awarding scholarships for the past 14 years to help members combat the rising costs of tuition. Recipients of the 2001 scholarships are as follows: Terri Keenan; Anne Brav; Kimberly Weigel; Lauren McKay; Kelly Wilson; Dawn Cammarata; Emily Galofaro; Laurie Davis; Michele Bradbury; Stephen M. Sawyer II; Cynthia Semos; Sheri Michaud of Everett; Andrius Skrabulis; Lauren Maxwell; and Paita Wu.