Fourteen-year-old Kaylalea Mendez is the newest Project Quince Star from the $1.8 billion Grow Financial Credit Union. A student at Newsome High School in Lithia, Fla., Kaylalea will attend community events for the credit union to help promote the Tampa credit union's Project Quince savings account.

Last summer, the $1.8 billion Tampa, Fla.-based credit union unveiled its Project Quince savings account during the annual Centro Florida Quinceanera Show.

A Quinceanera celebrates a young woman's coming of age on her 15th birthday. It is a huge celebration in many Hispanic cultures.

The account offers a higher interest rate than a basic savings account and includes a minimum monthly amount to help ensure that parents will start saving in advance for their daughter's Quinceanera party.

The honor of being named Project Quince Star also included a $1,000 deposit by Grow Financial into Kaylalea's own Project Quince account.

Jessica Shephard, Grow Financial's marketing manager, said,  “It was a tough decision, but our panel of judges chose Kaylalea out of the five semi-finalists because they felt she could really connect with the Hispanic community.  Kaylalea is not only beautiful, but she is also approachable, and possesses a strong heartfelt commitment to her family's traditions and heritage.  We feel we found the perfect match.”