Michigan First Credit Union Awards $85,000 in College Scholarships to Local High School and College Students
By: Amanda Braniecki
20 Oakland County students receive $30,000 in scholarships
OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – March 21, 2013 – Michigan First Credit Union, in conjunction with its young adult financial education program Young & Free Michigan, announced today the winners of its charitable online video and essay contest, awarding $85,000 in scholarships to 40 deserving Oakland, Wayne and Macomb county high school and college students. Michigan First President/CEO Michael Poulos made the announcement.
Southfield native and current University of Michigan student Clare Luckey was awarded a $10,000 scholarship for her video depicting how she would use $50,000 to support adult literacy programs in southeast Michigan and alternative energy initiatives. Danielle Morrison, of Farmington Hills and current Vanderbilt University student, was also received a $3,000 scholarship for her video submission on wanting to help communities lacking in health care and learning more about other cultures.
Now in its 10th year, Michigan First expanded its scholarship program in 2013 to include three categories: a high school video contest, high school essay contest and college video contest. The top three entries in each category received $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000 scholarships respectively, while additional bonus scholarships of $1,000 were awarded to 31 individuals.
“Michigan First was founded by teachers, and it is inspiring for us to see these students use their creativity to express a passion for education,” Poulos said. “It is evident by the submissions that each of our contest participants has a bright future ahead of them. We look forward to further investing in the financial education for our youth in metro Detroit.”
Other scholarship winners from Oakland County include:
High school video contest winners:
- Akiva Hebrew Day School—Joseph Jubas ($1,000)
- Southfield Christian High School—Janelle Grant ($1,000)
- Seaholm High School—Daniel Maertens ($1,000)
- Southfield Christian High School—Alexis Wilson ($1,000)
High school essay contest winners:
- Southfield High School—Breyon Gaston ($1,000)
- University High School Academy—Devynne Davis ($1,000)
- Southfield Lathrup High School—Kendyl Stewart ($1,000)
- Southfield High School—Kierra Tarrance ($1,000)
- Groves High School—Autumn Palmer ($1,000)
- Lahser High School—Deven Kishore ($1,000)
- Southfield Christian High School—Imani Thomas ($1,000)
- University High School Academy—Ashley Parker ($1,000)
- Seaholm High School—Taylor Wyllie ($1,000)
- Southfield High School—Amber Hunter ($1,000)
- Mesivta of Toledo—Michael Wayntraub ($1,000)
- Southfield High School—Dominique Moore ($1,000)
- University High School—Nia Byrd ($1,000)
Since its inception, the program has given away more than $730,000 to local students. The scholarships are funded by the community financial institution’s nonprofit, Michigan First Foundation. Founded in 2012, the nonprofit focuses on youth and education, contributing $160,000 annually to local charitable organizations and students.
To download the picture of Clare Luckey, please click on the image below.
Michigan First Credit Union’s $10,000 grand prize scholarship winner Clare Luckey poses for a picture with Young & Free Michigan Spokester Austin Chapman. Luckey, a University of Michigan student, received the scholarship for her video submission depicting how she would use $50,000 to support adult literacy programs in southeast Michigan and alternative energy initiatives.
About Michigan First Credit Union
Founded in 1926 by a small group of Detroit teachers, Lathrup Village-based Michigan First Credit Union (MichiganFirst.com) has grown into a more than $640 million financial institution serving nearly 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 crowd a voice, a head start and useful information about their finances. Spokesperson Austin Chapman uses the site’s blog, videos and frequent community appearances to share insight into the best ways to handle financial issues and encourage young adults to take advantage of Michigan First’s First Gear accounts, tailored specifically to their needs. Learn more at www.YoungFreeMichigan.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
248.258.2333