VACU Announces 2023 Scholarship Recipients, Awarding $150,000 to 30 Student Members

Virginia Credit Union has awarded $150,000 in college scholarships to 30 student members through the annual Virginia Credit Union Scholarship Program.

The program has provided more than $1.5 million in scholarships to student members of the credit union since it was established in 1991. The credit union doubled the amount of each award to $5,000 this year in recognition of the growing cost of higher education for its members.

Students selected for the $5,000 scholarships were recognized for scholastic achievement, community service, extracurricular activities, an essay, and work to help cover the cost of their education. This year’s winners include 15 rising college freshmen and 15 college sophomores, juniors or seniors. The winners are:

Rising College Freshmen

• Ava Brown, a graduate of Midlothian High School, planning to attend James Madison University.
• Isabella Koontz, a graduate of Cosby High School, planning to attend George Mason University or Southern California.
• Laila Joelle Jones, a graduate of Prince Edward County High School, planning to attend Regent University.
• John Dozier, a graduate of St. Anne’s Belfield, planning to attend Yale University.
• Raniya Thompson, a graduate of Cosby High School, planning to attend Virginia Commonwealth University.
• Jayme Davis, a graduate of Freeman High School, planning to attend Vanderbilt University.
• Emily Garloff, a graduate of Maggie Walkers Governor’s School, planning to attend William and Mary.
• Tucker Brown, a graduate of Thomas Dale High School, planning to attend Virginia Tech.
• Gabriella Harris, a graduate of Cosby High School, planning to attend Virginia Commonwealth University.
• Kendall Thorp, a graduate of Patrick Henry High School, planning to attend University of Virginia.
• Delaney Stevenson, a graduate of Open High School, planning to attend the University of Virginia.
• Ann Holley, a graduate of Cosby High School, planning to attend Virginia Tech-Corp of Cadets.
• Gracie Farrell, a graduate of Monacan High School, planning to attend Wenworth Institute of Technology.
• Bryce Morris, a graduate of Deep Run High School, planning to attend the University of Virginia.
• Mackenzie Robinson, a graduate of Mechanicsville High School, planning to attend Christopher Newport News or George Mason University or William and Mary.

College Students

• ThanhLong Duong, a senior at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. 
• Unoma Aguolu, a junior at University of Virginia.
• Micah Davis, a senior at Regent University.
• Megan Poh, a junior at Virginia Tech.
• Breoyna Williams, a junior at Old Dominion University.
• Lucy Vogel, a junior at Indiana University East.
• Claire Culbreath, a sophomore at Longwood University.
• James Lord, III, a senior at Coastal Carolina University.
• Quinn Neary, a sophomore at Virginia Tech.
• Lindsey Goad, a senior at Virginia Tech.
• Stella Bryant, a sophomore at Virginia Tech.
• Will Dausch, a sophomore at North Carolina State University.
• Alleigh Milam, a junior at NOVA Southeastern University. 
• Kyle Lewis-Johnson, a junior at College of William and Mary
• Samuel Kaman, a sophomore at University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

Virginia Credit Union established the scholarship program to help members working toward their first undergraduate degree. The program honors Dot Hall and Jane Watkins, former presidents of Virginia Credit Union.

To be eligible to apply, students must be members of Virginia Credit Union and submit their completed application by March 1, 2024. Scholarship applications will be available by January 1.

A financial cooperative serving more than 320,000 members, Virginia Credit Union offers a variety of affordable banking services, loans, mortgages, and free financial education resources, with a focus on helping people be more confident with their finances. Virginia Credit Union is an equal housing opportunity lender and is federally insured by NCUA.