BISMARCK, N.D.–The Credit Union Foundation of the Dakotas (CUFD) has awarded 20 Dakota Credit Unions Financial Scholarships.
This is the first year the CUFD has provided the scholarships that were offered to both high school seniors and current college students who are credit union members. Totaling $10,000 this year, the $500 individual awards were presented to the following North Dakota and South Dakota students.
In North Dakota:
- Emily Paulson of Bowman is a recent high school graduate and member of Dakota West Credit Union
- Dalton Schnabel of Kulm is a recent high school graduate and member of Hometown Community Credit Union.
- Karena Verbitsky of Minot is a recent high school graduate and member of North Star Community Credit Union.
- Heather Ukaonu of Kulm is a recent high school graduate and member of Hometown Credit Union.
- Morgan Gallagher or Ashley is a current college student and member of Hometown Credit Union.
- Maria Wirtz of Underwood, ND is a recent high school graduate and member of Dakota West Credit Union.
- Abigail Martel of Christinenis a recent high school graduate and member of Fargo VA Federal Credit Union.
- William Egan of Enderlinnis recent high school graduate and member of Dakota Plains Credit Union.
- Gillian Dahl originally of Fargonis a current college student at the University of Minnesota and member of First Community Credit Union.
- Megan Roehl originally of Ellendale, ND is a current college student and member of Dakota Plains Credit Union.
In South Dakota:
- Taylor Ashdown of Highmorenis a recent high school graduate and member of HB Telco Federal Credit Union.
- Jessie Huff of Wilmotnis a current college student and member of Coteau Valley Federal Credit Union.
- Lacee Fedeler of Yanktonnis a current college student and member of East River Federal Credit Union.
- Tanner Pietz of Huronnis a current college student and member of Huron Area Education Federal Credit Union.
- Hope Loehrer of Watertownnis a recent high school graduate and member of Sioux Valley Co-Op Federal Credit Union.
- Christian Scarlett of Aberdeennis a recent high school graduate and member of Aberdeen Federal Credit Union.
- Hazel Ohm of Watertownnis a recent high school graduate and member of Avanti Federal Credit Union.
- Chloe Jungwirth of Mobridgenis a recent high school graduate and member of Dakotaland Federal Credit Union.
- Rebecca Buchholz of Highmoren is a recent high school graduate and member of HB Telco Federal Credit Union.
- Emily Kaasa of Florence is a recent high school graduate and member of Avanti Federal Credit Union.
A panel of five judges selected the students based upon volunteer experience, school activity involvement and an essay written by the students in answer to the question, “How has your credit union affected both you and your family?” The students will use the individual $500 scholarships to pursue or continue their degrees in higher education.