CAPITOLA, Calif.– Bay Federal Credit Union has announced the winners of its annual financial education scholarships.
Its Member Education Scholarship recipients are Daniela Arreola, Jakelin Escobar, and Michell Roldan. The “Mac McCormac” Employee Scholarship winners are Micaela DiPiero, Ana Gonzalez Torres, and Albert Vizcarra. All scholarship winners were honored at Bay Federal’s Annual Meeting.
Since 2008, Bay Federal has awarded 64 scholarships totaling $561,500 to students who are pursuing a degree or certificate program at any college, university, or professional school. The Mac McCormac Scholarship, established in 2012 in honor of the credit union’s first employee, provides college financial assistance to Bay Federal employees.
Bay Federal Credit Union President and CEO Carrie Birkhofer presented information on each scholarship winner during the virtual meeting.
“Despite incredible challenges in the world today, these students have continued to focus on a brighter future,” Birkhofer said. “I am proud to honor their perseverance and commitment to making a real difference in the world.”
Applicants were required to submit essays explaining how their feelings and perspectives about money had changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many applicants described gaining a better understanding of the need to save money and reduce frivolous spending and expounded on the importance of shopping locally to preserve jobs in our community. Several expressed concerns about “essential workers” being forced to risk their lives to support themselves and their families, while others focused on the widening wealth gap in the United States, Bay FCU said.
The Winners
- Daniela Arreola is pursuing an associate degree at Hartnell College. Her long-term goal is to complete a four-year nursing degree and become a registered nurse.
- Jackie Escobar is working towards an associate degree in kinesiology at Cabrillo College, after which she plans to enroll in medical school to become a doctor.
- Michell Roldan graduated from Cabrillo College with three associate degrees before transferring to California State University Monterey Bay, where she is currently majoring in psychology.
Mac McCormac Employee Scholarship Winners
- Micaela DiPiero is an undergraduate at the University of Arizona Global Campus, majoring in psychology with a minor in communications. DiPiero is Bay Federal’s service manager at the River Street Branch in Santa Cruz.
- Ana Gonzalez Torres, a student at Cabrillo College, plans to enroll in Cabrillo’s nursing program, and then transfer to a four-year school to complete a Bachelor of Science degree. Gonzalez Torres is Bay Federal’s member services specialist at the Aptos Branch.
- Albert Vizcarra, also a Cabrillo College student, is completing the necessary coursework for transfer to California State University Monterey Bay, where he plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business management. Vizcarra is Bay Federal’s service manager at the Salinas Branch.