Michigan First Credit Union Awards $85,000 in College Scholarships to Metro Detroit High School and College Students

40 students receive scholarships ranging from $1,000-$10,000

LATHRUP VILLAGE, 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 metro Detroit high school and college students. Michigan First President/CEO Michael Poulos made the announcement.

Now in its 10^th 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. Since its inception, the program has given away more than $730,000 to local students.

“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.”

The top 10 applicants in each category were selected through online public voting, before a panel of judges selected the following winners.

High school video contest winners:

• Roseville High School—Holly Hedemark ($10,000)
• Detroit School of Arts—Redi Shorter ($5,000)
• Lake Shore High School—Hannah Mico ($3,000)
• Plymouth Education Center Preparatory High School—Ecwiauna Wooten ($1,000)
• 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:

• Chandler Park Academy High School—Lamar Allen ($10,000)
• Detroit Country Day School—Jonell Nwabueze ($5,000)
• Cass Technical High School—Erika Reid ($3,000)
• Southfield High School—Breyon Gaston ($1,000)
• Renaissance High School—Derrick Hedwood ($1,000)
• Cousino High School—Andreea Mitrache ($1,000)
• Southfield Lathrup High School—Joshua Cummings ($1,000)
• Divine Child High School—Starr-Ambrosia Muslim ($1,000)
• University High School Academy—Devynne Davis ($1,000)
• Renaissance High School—Lee Williams Jr. ($1,000)
• Southfield Lathrup High School—Kendyl Stewart ($1,000)
• South Lake High School—Shayla McCullough ($1,000)
• Lake Shore High School—Chloe Jennings ($1,000)
• Southfield High School—Kierra Tarrance ($1,000)
• Groves High School—Autumn Palmer ($1,000)
• Lahser High School—Deven Kishore ($1,000)
• Cass Technical High School—Ashley Chillis ($1,000)
• Southfield Christian High School—Imani Thomas ($1,000)
• University High School Academy—Ashley Parker ($1,000)
• Cass Technical High School—Kendal Cockrel ($1,000)
• Seaholm High School—Taylor Wyllie ($1,000)
• Grosse Pointe South High School—Olivia Culver ($1,000)
• Cass Technical High School—Kayla Young ($1,000)
• Southfield High School—Amber Hunter ($1,000)
• Mesivta of Toledo—Michael Wayntraub ($1,000)
• Southfield High School—Dominique Moore ($1,000)
• University Liggett School—Briana Bellamy ($1,000)
• Renaissance High School—Antashe Howard ($1,000)
• University High School—Nia Byrd ($1,000)

College video contest winners:

• University of Michigan—Clare Luckey ($10,000)
• Wayne State University—Jaclyn Davis ($5,000)
• Vanderbilt University—Danielle Morrison ($3,000)

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 photographs of the winners, please click on the images below.

Michigan First Credit Union Scholarship recipients were recognized at an awards ceremony held on March 14. This year, Michigan First, in conjunction with its young adult financial education program Young & Free Michigan, awarded 40 metro Detroit high school and college students with $85,000 in scholarships.

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:

Luke Capizzo

248.258.2333

[email protected]