SCHOLARSHIPS

NASA Federal Credit Union, Bowie, Md., has awarded the Mitchell-Beall Memorial Scholarship to eight graduating high school seniors. Recipients were selected based on a three-step evaluation of a written essay, questionnaire and personal interview. This year’s essay topic was “My financial future for college and beyond and the role NASA FCU can play.” The 2001 scholarship winners are as follows: Martina Dobrosielski, $5,000; David Fries, $3,000; Bobbie Chern, $2,000; Emily Markulis, $1,000; Christina Tiffany, $1,000; Shaleen Cusick, $1,000; Sruthi Pandipati, $1,000; and Bryan Leibowitz $1,000. Arizona Federal Credit Union, Phoenix, has awarded the Michael Hale Scholarship to Anthony Goode and Paul Pipersburgh. The $500 scholarship is awarded annually in recognition of the contributions made by Hale, Arizona FCU’s former longtime president and CEO. In past years, this scholarship has been awarded to graduating seniors to pay for college expenses. This is the first year that high school juniors have been awarded the scholarship. Receiving this scholarship as they enter their senior year allows these students to pay for college preparatory expenses that might otherwise be a barrier to college enrollment. Hale actively worked with economically disadvantaged youth in the South Phoenix area, most notably in his role as chairman of the Mentorship Education Network. Because of this, scholarship eligibility is directed specifically at youth members of M.E.N. Anthony Goode will graduate from South Mountain High School in May 2002, has a 3.4 grade point average and plans to attend Virginia Union University to study engineering. Paul Pipersburgh will also graduate from South Mountain High School in May 2002, has a 3.5 grade point average and plans to attend Cornell University to study business and banking. New York State Credit Union League, Latham, has awarded a record total of $16,000 in scholarships. For the 2001 academic year, the league awarded $1,000 to each of five finalists and $500 to each of 22 semi-finalists. Entries are judged on a statewide basis and credit unions whose members win scholarships make the announcement to the local media. Participating credit unions can also award scholarships of their own, in addition to any awarded to their members as a result of the statewide competition. Districts of the New York League may also choose to award their own, additional scholarships. Redstone Federal Credit Union, Huntsville, Ala., has established an annual scholarship program. Eligible applicants attending local colleges and universities can apply each year to receive the $2,000 award. The very first 2001 RFCU Scholarship winner is Elizabeth E. Highsmith, a sophomore at Calhoun Community College. Currently employed with Boeing, Highsmith’s studies will prepare her for a career as a Computer Information Systems Analyst. Utah League of Credit Unions, Salt Lake City, has awarded three college scholarships totaling $3,000 to the following college students: Jack Davis, Brandi Anderson and Sean Peterson. Scholarship applicants submitted an essay that addressed the question “Should a financial curriculum course be taught in high school?” This year more than 30 applicants entered the contest. Davis received $1,500 for first place; Anderson $1,000 for second, and Peterson $500 for third place. Each year, the Utah League of Credit Unions and UCUFIC ask credit unions to contribute funds for the scholarship awards, which are based on contributions. This is the 15th year that Utah credit unions have donated over $3,000 to the scholarship fund.