USA Federal Announces 2006 College Scholarship Awards Totalling $10,500 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: | Nicole Anderson Vice President of Marketing
USA Federal Credit Union
nanderson@usafed.org
(800) 220-1872 |
San Diego, Calif., June 13, 2006 – USA Federal Credit Union today announced $10,500 in total awards distributed to Martin P. Cassell college scholarship winners for 2006. The seven recipients, who each received $1,500 scholarships, live in Japan, California and Sicily but all have families who are members of the credit union. “These young people represent the best and the brightest in our nation,” said Mary Cunningham, “We are enthusiastic about helping them achieve their promise by awarding them these scholarships. Each student is remarkably distinguished in pursuits ranging from top GPAs, to winning national academic competitions, athletics, and in symphonic performances. They are academically outstanding, display strong leadership skills, and have very bright futures ahead of them.” The Martin P. Cassell Scholarship is named after USA Federal’s former President/CEO, who died in a tragic automobile accident in 2001. Applicants are typically noted by high academic, athletic, cultural and community distinction. All applicants for the Martin P. Cassell Scholarship must meet the following criteria:
| 1. | The applicant must be a college-bound high school senior. | | 2. | The applicant must be a member of USA Federal Credit Union or the child of a member at least one year prior to applying. | | 3. | The applicant must complete the Martin P. Cassell Scholarship application. | | 4. | The applicant must provide an official high school transcript showing all coursework completed through their seventh semester. |
The 2006 Martin P. Cassell Scholarship Award winners are (alphabetically):
Diane Abcede, Stephen Decatur Secondary School (Sicily) -- $1,500. Residing in Sigonella, Sicily, Diane distinguished herself as Girls Varsity Soccer and Basketball (Team Captain), Student Council President, National Honor Society member, and in the NJROTC. She attained a “Superior Honor Roll” status with a GPA exceeding 4.0. Diane is considering a career in advertising or psychology. Holly Aguigam, a Poway student, won a $1,500 scholarship from USA Federal Credit Union. Aguigam is noted as a musician, Rotary Camp Enterprise participant, Senior Class Vice-President, St. Vincent de Paul volunteer, and National Honor Society member. She plans a career in orthodontics. Maureen Alcock, Marian Catholic High School (San Diego) -- $1,500. A Clairemont resident, she was active in Girl Scouts, High School Yearbook Editor (twice), a symphony musician, dance troupe member, Academic League Captain, and active in campus ministries. Her weighted GPA (4.54) is one of the highest among all Martin P. Cassell Scholarship applicants. Alcock wants to attend medical school. Mario Davis, a Tierrasanta student at Junipero Serra High School, won a $1,500 scholarship from USA Federal. Davis, who demonstrates strong leadership skills was Student Relations Club President, Key Stone Club Vice-President, 2006 Links Achiever Award winner, and plans to become a network engineer. Noah Debonis, Edgren High School, Misawa (Japan) -- $1,500. An exceptional leader and student, Debonis is the 2005 National Winner of the Holocaust Remembrance Project Essay Competition (Holland & Knight) against 3,100 competitors. He is also a 2005 winner of the Chesterfield Knight Humanitarian Award for volunteer work with indigent children in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Thailand. He organized Katrina Relief efforts at his high school to provide books and supplies to devastated schools in Louisiana. His career direction is in International Education. Veronica Jones, Edgren High School, Misawa (Japan) -- $1,500. With a cumulative GPA in excess of 4.0, Jones is a top student and leader. As a National Honor Society member, Student Council VP, and Air Force JROTC member, Veronica Jones also won awards from the American Legion, Scholastic Award, Academic Eagle, and Presidential Award. Her ultimate career goal is in the medical profession. Christy Tucker, Edgren High School (Japan), $1,500. With a cumulative GPA of 4.14, Tucker is academically distinguished at a young age with excellence in AP Chemistry, Calculus, Language and Physics. Athletically, she was Captain of her Varsity Softball Team, an NCA All-American, and a Varsity Cheerleader. She volunteered as a Student Nurse (35th Fighter Wing) and various leadership roles in the JROTC. Her career goal is the medical profession. About USA Federal With more than 60,000 members and $699.4 million in assets, USA Federal Credit Union (headquartered in San Diego) operates 20 branches, including locations in San Diego, Murrieta, and Temecula (CA), Las Vegas (NV), Japan and Korea. Members of this non-profit financial cooperative include the military, civilians and select employee groups. Founded in 1953 at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, USA Federal offers a full range of financial services including business services and consumer savings, checking, mortgage and home equity loans, auto loans, debit and credit cards, share term certificates, IRAs, and a 24-hour phone center. Online services include eStatements, Online Banking and Bill Pay with Money HQ and online loan applications and approval. Additional services include the BALANCE financial fitness program, and investment and retirement planning offered by MEMBERS Financial Services. This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. Visit www.usafedcu.org or call (800) 220-1USA (1872) or (858) 831-8100 for more information. ### Note: USA Federal maintains the above information for archival purposes, which is presumed accurate upon release, however, data may become outdated over time and affect accuracy. |
