South Carolina Federal Credit Union awards $10,000 in scholarships
May 4, 2016
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – South Carolina Federal Credit Union awarded $10,000 in scholarship prizes to eight area students.
The sixth annual South Carolina Federal Scholarship Competition winners are:
- 1st place ($4,000): Vinh Ton, a graduate of Wando High School who plans to attend Stanford University.
- 2nd place ($2,500): Abigail Reeves, a graduate of Charleston County School of the Arts who plans to attend College of Charleston.
- 3rd place ($1,000): Matthew Heron, a graduate of Dutch Fork High School, in Columbia, who is deciding between Georgetown and Vanderbilt University.
New this year, the credit union also awarded $2,500 in scholarship prizes to five area students as a piece of its Bank at Work initiative.
The program, which began in 2015, works with large employers to provide the benefit of onsite financial services, account opening and financial education seminars. Employees, and their dependents, of companies participating in Bank at Work are eligible for five, $500 scholarships to advance their academic pursuits.
This year’s winners are:
- Anne Blanton, daughter of a Stratford High School employee, who attends Winthrop University and will graduate with a degree in Education.
- Samuel Blanton, son of a Stratford High School employee, who will graduate from Stratford High School and plans to attend The Citadel.
- Raven Guerra, daughter of a Blue Cross Blue Shield employee, who will graduate from Ridge View High School and plans to attend Clemson University.
- McKenzie Hayes, daughter of a Blue Cross Blue Shield employee, who will graduate from Richland Northeast High School and plans to attend Lander University.
- Keri McQueen, daughter of a Blue Cross Blue Shield employee, who attends Winthrop University and will graduate with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communication.
In recognition of the credit union’s 80th anniversary, all applicants were asked to submit an essay on how they would apply their education to better our community in the next 80 years. Candidates were also required to submit an application, letter of recommendation, transcript and photo.
“We take part in many worthwhile community initiatives, but awarding our annual scholarships is one of my favorites,” said Scott Woods, President & CEO, South Carolina Federal. “Being able to celebrate the achievements and propel the future successes of some of South Carolina’s best and brightest is an honor for all of us.”
For more information on both scholarships, visit smplsc.com.
Photo Caption (from left to right): South Carolina Federal Board Chairman, Rod Druschel, Keri McQueen, Samuel Blanton, Vinh Ton, Anne Blanton, Raven Guerra, Matthew Heron, McKenzie Hayes, Abigail Reeves, President & CEO, Scott Woods.
About South Carolina Federal
South Carolina Federal Credit Union is headquartered in North Charleston. More than 150,000 members own and belong to the not-for-profit financial cooperative, which has over $1.4 billion in assets. South Carolina Federal is a community-chartered credit union. Anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Calhoun, Orangeburg or Georgetown counties, and most of the Columbia area, is eligible to join. South Carolina Federal has 17 financial centers, and ATMs throughout Charleston, Columbia and Georgetown. More information about South Carolina Federal can be found at scfederal.org.
