United Federal Credit Union awards eight college scholarships

United Federal Credit Union (UFCU) has awarded college scholarships to eight students through its corporate and state programs. UFCU scholarships are granted to outstanding graduating high school seniors based on academic achievement, community involvement, extracurricular activities and an original essay discussing the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People.”

Winners include:

$1,000 Corporate Winner – Austin Soos – Lakeshore High School, Stevensville, Michigan Austin was the overall high scorer in the competition. His extracurricular activities include Berrien County Youth Fair, Key Club, National Honor Society, marching band, and jazz and pep band. Austin is also a regular blood donor. He will attend the University of Michigan in the fall.

In his essay, Austin wrote that he learned from his grandfather to think of others before himself for “the smallest courtesies are the ones that strike the deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart.”

$500 Regional Winner – Alora Perry – Alma High School, Alma, Arkansas

Alora is chairman of a local Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter, and a member of Spanish Club, Mulberry River Society, Partners Club, DECA, and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. Alora is on the school softball and cross country teams. She plans to continue her education at University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.

Alora says that she works hard in every organization she is involved in to “help others, and inspire others to do their best.”

$500 Regional Winner – Kaitlyn Ward – Buchanan High School, Buchanan, Michigan

Kaitlyn’s extracurricular activities include Leo Club, Student Council, and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Kaitlyn is a sprinter and a relay runner on the school track team. She plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College in the fall.

Kaitlyn has been an active member of her community throughout high school. She says she “looks at it as an opportunity to meet new people and gain a better perspective of how others live.”

$500 Regional Winner – Madison Wells – Pleasant High School, Marion, Ohio

Madison’s extracurricular activities include theatre, Mock Trial, Spanish mentor, and volunteering for Adopt-a-Road, Restoration Weekend and Soup Kitchen. Madison plans to attend Ashland University in the fall where she will pursue a career in criminal justice and international political studies.

Madison says “I have a passion and love for helping people, and I want to protect people every day through my job.”

$500 Regional Winner – Bailey Goetz – Penn High School, Mishawaka, Indiana

Bailey is active in her church and a member of the Penn High School dance team and the cross country team. She volunteers for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Unity Gardens. Bailey will continue her education at Central Michigan University.

Bailey founded Kingsmen Cave, a food drive program, to help needy families in her school district. “I am confident that the program will continue long after I graduate,” she says.

$500 Regional Winner – Bryce Bryant – Edward C. Reed High School, Sparks, Nevada

Bryce volunteers for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Hearthstone of Northern Nevada, and Sierra Youth Football League. He is captain of the school football team and a member of the track, baseball and basketball teams. He also enjoys wakeboarding. Bryce says playing football has been a major influence on his life. He plans to attend University of Nevada, Reno in the fall.

“Leadership is the biggest virtue I will take away from the game of football.”

$500 Regional Winner – Larry S. Thompson III (Tre) – Penn-Griffin School for the Arts, High Point, North Carolina

Tre volunteers for Jamestown Public Library, Horse Power Ranch, and Penn-Griffin Service Learning. He is a member of National Beta Club, earned a second degree black belt in Taekwondo, captains the school soccer team and plays the cello in the school orchestra. Trey is also a Boy Scout who built study carrels and renovated the study room at the local library to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He plans to attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, in the fall.

“I look for chances to give back regardless of the size of the project, because I believe taking a step to make improvements will make a bigger impact on the world.”

$500 Regional Winner – Brian Burns – West Ottawa High School, Holland, Michigan

Brian volunteers for West Ottawa Summer Baseball Youth Camp, West Ottawa Broadcast Journalism News, and Adopt-A-Family for the Center for Women in Transition. He is a member of the school baseball and hockey teams. Brian plans to continue his education at Michigan State University.

Brian says, “Helping people defines who you are, and through the cycle defines who your community is.”

Congratulations to all of the scholars!