CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – FreeStar Financial Credit Union awarded $4,000 in scholarships to four exceptional high school graduates at a luncheon ceremony.
The credit union recognizes students who model the credit union philosophy of people helping people by giving a Community Action Scholarship of $1,000 each to two students. Shalynn Rangelfrom L’Anse Creuse High School and Teresa Czeiszperger from The International Academy of Macomb received $1,000 each as the Community Action Scholarship winners.
Rangel plans to attend Wayne State University this fall majoring in social work. She volunteered at a non-profit camp hosted by CARE of Southeastern Michigan. She was later approached with the opportunity to join a teen group at CARE known as T3 (Teens Talking Truth.) This group makes a commitment to remain alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free. Rangel earned 250 community service hours helping at CARE and volunteered at several canned food drives.
Czeiszperger plans to study medicine at Wayne State University where she received a merit scholarship. She ranked eighth in her class at The International Academy of Macomb where she played the piano, flute, and tennis, and was active in the National Honor Society, Key Club, and Student Council. Czeiszperger served as the President of Model United Nations where she learned valuable leadership and communication skills. She volunteered at McLaren Macomb Hospital where her mother is a registered nurse.
The Military Honor Scholarship is awarded to members of FreeStar Financial Credit Union whose parent is active military, reserve or veterans. Noah Burgess from Capac High School and Elle McGuire from Notre Dame Preparatory will receive $1,000 each as this year’s Military Honor Scholarship winners.
Burgess will be attending Central Michigan University on a partial scholarship to study sports management. Burgess’ mother retired from the Air Force in September of 2016. During his high school years, Burgess took college courses at St. Clair County Community College. He participated in football, basketball, baseball, and golf, and lettered seven times. Outside of his studies and sports, Burgess assisted coaches and athletes in the weight room and on the court, and assisted in basketball clinics in the community.
McGuire plans to attend the University of Cincinnati to major in psychology or pre-dental with a possible minor in Mandarin Chinese. Her grandfather served in the Korean War, her uncle is a disabled Army veteran, and her mother is a Major in the Army Reserves. McGuire earned a 3.86 GPA while juggling varsity soccer and community service at the Shelby Township Senior Citizen Center and Gleaners, and taught youth soccer.
“Each year, we receive so many outstanding applicants that our decision becomes more difficult,” said Drema Isaac, president & CEO. “These amazing students have developed a pattern of helping in their community while maintaining academic excellence, and we are proud to recognize them.”