Michigan First Chooses Victoria Goldwater as Next Young & Free Michigan “Spokester”
By: Amanda Braniecki
Macomb Community College student to be voice of financial fitness in metro Detroit
LATHRUP VILLAGE, Mich. – May 9, 2013 – From more than 25 fantastic candidates, Michigan First Credit Union selected Victoria Goldwater as the 2013-2014 spokesperson for Young & Free Michigan, an initiative aimed at spreading a positive financial message to young adults ages 17-25 in metro Detroit. President/CEO Michael Poulos made the announcement.
A Clinton Township native and communications major at Macomb Community College, Goldwater will be the voice of Michigan First for her peers in southeast Michigan for an entire year, serving as a full-time employee responsible for writing daily blog posts, creating weekly video updates, attending a variety of local events and participating in multiple media opportunities.
“As a credit union founded by educators, it’s critical for us to continue to share the value of making smart financial decisions with the next generation—and to do it in a way that’s fresh and exciting!” says Poulos. “Victoria has risen to that challenge and will be a wonderful ambassador for this program. With her vibrant personality and outgoing nature, we’re thrilled to watch her engage with audiences and help many more high school and college students, as well as recent graduates, gain the tools to live young and free.”
This year, Young & Free Michigan spokester applicants were required to submit an initial essay and video. Through more than 7,000 online votes, the search was narrowed down to 12 who attended Michigan First’s Show Your Stuff Meet-Up event. At the Show Your Stuff Meet-Up, each applicant participated in a series of tasks—including mock media interviews, managing a Michigan First exhibit booth and improvising a skit—to evaluate their ability to carry out the role as the next spokester. The finalists from the event were required to draft a blog post on financial responsibility and film a video entry, before a panel of judges selected the winner.
As part of the contest, Goldwater won an Apple MacBook Pro, an HD video camera and a smart phone to use on the job. She also gets to drive the Young & Free Michigan Chevy Cruze for the year, along with paid gas and insurance. The remaining 11 finalists each received a $100 gift card and Young & Free Michigan branded gifts.
Goldwater replaces outgoing Young & Free Michigan Spokester Austin Chapman, who will be returning to Lawrence Tech for his senior year.
To download the photo of Victoria Goldwater, click on the image below.
About Michigan First Credit Union
Founded in 1926 by a small group of Detroit teachers, Lathrup Village-based Michigan First Credit Union (www.MichiganFirst.com) has grown into a $640 million financial institution serving more than 90,000 individuals and local businesses in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. An industry leader in consumer-focused technology and dedicated customer service, the credit union is also a significant supporter of local financial education, community and charitable organizations. Largely through the efforts of the Michigan First Foundation, the credit union will donate more than $180,000 to local nonprofits and scholarships this year. For the latest news, and events, Follow Michigan First on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/MichiganFirstCU or “Like” Michigan First on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/MichiganFirstCreditUnion.
About Young & Free Michigan
Young & Free Michigan, powered by Michigan First Credit Union, is an ongoing effort to give the 17-to-25 year-old crowd a voice, a head start and useful information about their finances. Each year, an energetic and engaging young adult wins the coveted full-time role of spokester and uses the site’s blog, videos and frequent community appearances to share insight into the best ways to handle financial issues. The spokester also encourages their peers to take advantage of Michigan First’s First Gear accounts, tailored specifically to their needs. Learn more at www.YoungFreeMichigan.com and follow Young & Free MIchigan on Facebook and Twitter.
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