Community Choice Awards $100,000 To High School Seniors
FARMINGTON HILLS -- For the fourth consecutive year, Community Choice Credit Union committed to investing in the future of Michigan by awarding $100,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors. The credit union's foundation recently awarded 20 students with $5,000 scholarships each.
"One of the goals of the Community Choice Foundation is to do our part to reverse the trend commonly labeled 'brain drain' from our state," said Rob Bava, CEO of Community Choice Credit Union. "The students who won these prestigious $5,000 awards, and those who came before them, did so in large part because they demonstrated a vision for committing to their home state of Michigan. They pledged to help grow our economy, enrich our communities through volunteerism and support an existing or emerging Michigan industry post-graduation. They and their families have much to be proud of."
The winners, their hometowns and high schools are as follows:
Kyle Swinkin Livonia Stevenson High School
Garret Zuk Highland Lakeland High School
Caroline Yuhas Brighton Brighton High School
Xheni Gjergo Sterling Heights Sterling Heights High School
Kristianna Fata Westland Churchill High School
Jessica Plastow Fenton Hartland High School
Victoria Vandenberg Trenton Trenton High School
Matthew Kruppa Livonia Churchill High School
Allison Mayer Livonia Churchill High School
Laila Shammout Dearborn Heights Crestwood High School
Harman Singh Rochester Stoney Creek High School
Holland Boertje Wayne Wayne Memorial High School
Joshua Palmer Livonia Franklin High School
Opeyemi Akinbola Ypsilanti Lincoln High School
Kayla Branton Livonia Livonia Stevenson High School
Tyler Shubitowski Highland Lakeland High School
Zachary Rich Farmington Hills International Academy
Darcy Vines Westland Cabrini High School
Alaina Bur Clarkston International Academy West
Mawadah Samad Dearborn Heights Crestwood High School
Students were selected from nearly 300 applicants based upon a variety of factors including: academic achievement, community service, and a written essay topic. To encourage growth and future investment in Michigan, the foundation requires that students attend an accredited college in Michigan and additionally commit to utilize their education by giving back to communities throughout the state.
Since 2009 the Community Choice Foundation has provided 81 scholarships to local students; donating over $400,000 to the next generation of Michigan's workforce. In December, the credit union and its foundation launched an alumni program for previous recipients of its scholarship. This program further enhances Community Choice's commitment to the future of Michigan by providing networking and community volunteer events for its ongoing scholarship winners.
In addition to serving the needs of Michigan's youth, the credit union and its foundation actively support its local communities. Events and promotions by Community Choice and its foundation benefit organizations like Gleaners Community Food Bank, Kids Without Cancer, The American Diabetes Association, and The American Cancer Society and FIRST Robotics.
Established in 1935, Community Choice Credit Union is dedicated to the basic fundamentals of service and investment in its broader communities. The credit union believes in the value of work as a socially responsible, community minded financial institution and its Give Bigphilosophy permeates throughout the organization. CCCU seeks to Give Big every day. By volunteering time, utilizing the talents of team members, and offering innovative products and services, the credit union shows through its actions its commitment to members and to the communities that the credit union serves. CCCU serves individuals in Michigan who live, work, or worship in Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw or Wayne County.
