RIVERDALE, Utah– The America First Charitable Foundation Scholarship Program has awarded $10,000 in scholarships to 10 graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students at two- and four-year technical colleges or universities who share a passion for helping others.
The Foundation selected students who embody a people-helping-people philosophy — those who play an active role in giving back to their community, whether through volunteering or other meaningful contributions of time, effort, and care.
Of the 10 honorees, two have already completed their first year of college and eight will be freshman this fall; five of the students had a 4.0 GPA. The students participated in many on and off campus activities, both including school programs such as La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, Student Body Officers and National Honor Society, and volunteered in their communities with organizations like Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a Sheriff’s Office Cadet Program and the Tyler Robinson Foundation.
“We are excited to award each of these deserving students with scholarships,” said Thayne Shaffer, president/CEO of America First Credit Union. “We want students to focus on academic success and giving back to the community instead of worrying about paying tuition or buying books. One way we way help students thrive in higher education is through the annual scholarships. Congratulations to each one of these students in all they have accomplished and thank you for all you’ve done to embody the credit union’s philosophy of people helping people.”
“It is critical that all capable citizens do their part in people helping people,” said scholarship recipient Niki Bell from South Weber, Utah, entering her first year at Western Wyoming Community College. “We thrive most as a community when we help one another and work together to solve our problems. I believe that any effort to try to help someone or make a difference can go a long way. Every small action leads to a change in our community.”
The 10 scholarship recipients selected by America First Charitable Foundation are as follows:
- Alicia Zhang, Holladay, Utah – Yale University
- Andrea DeLisa, Las Vegas, Nevada – George Washington University
- Elizabeth Little, Mesa, Arizona – University of Arizona
- Grace Tibbets, North Salt Lake, Utah – Brigham Young University
- Jordan King, Las Vegas, Nevada – University of Southern California
- Kate Pierson, West Jordan, Utah – Brigham Young University Idaho
- Lydee McBride, West Haven, Utah – Utah State University
- Niki Bell, South Weber, Utah – Western Wyoming Community College
- Shealee Heywood, Farmington, Utah – Utah State University
- Tiana Huston, Syracuse, Utah – Southern Utah University