VACU Awards $75,000 in Scholarships to 30 Student Members

Virginia Credit Union has awarded $75,000 in college scholarships to 30 student members through the annual Virginia Credit Union Scholarship Program.

The program has provided more than $1.4 million in scholarships to student members of the credit union since it was established in 1991.

Students selected for the $2,500 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 16 rising college freshmen and 14 college sophomores, juniors or seniors. The winners are:

Rising College Freshmen

• Elissa Anderson of Midlothian, a graduate of Manchester High School, planning to attend the University of Pittsburgh.
• Henry Atkinson of Mechanicsville, a graduate of Hanover High School, planning to attend the University of Virginia.
• Reese Barrett of Jupiter, Fla., a graduate of Jupiter Community High School, planning to attend the University of Virginia.
• Zoe Broderick of Midlothian, a graduate of James River High School, planning to attend Georgetown University.
• Aileen Chen of Chester, a graduate of the Maggie Walker Governor’s School, planning to attend UCLA.
• Owen Godfrey of Richmond, a graduate of Veritas School.
• Isabella Gregory of Fredericksburg, a graduate of Chancellor High School, planning to attend Roanoke College.
• Janiya Harmon of Richmond, a graduate of Hermitage High School, planning to attend Roanoke College.
• Caroline Klotz of Chesterfield, a graduate of Clover Hill High School, planning to attend Wake Forest University.
• Austin Mahoney of Midlothian, a graduate of Manchester High School, planning to attend Liberty University.
• Ellie Murray of Mechanicsville, a graduate of the Maggie Walker Governor’s School, planning to attend Christopher Newport University.
• Lindsey Ristau of Hague, VA, a graduate of Washington & Lee High School, planning to attend Randolph-Macon College.
• Alyssa Robson of Rixeyville, VA, a graduate of Fauquier High School, planning to attend Liberty University.
• Jane Sanborn of Glen Allen, a graduate of Deep Run High School, planning to attend the University of Virginia.
• Andrew Vithoulkas of Richmond, a graduate of J. R. Tucker High School, planning to attend the University of Virginia.
• Devin Washington of Richmond, a graduate of Richmond Community High School, planning to attend North Carolina A&T State University.

College Students

• Seth Grossman of Midlothian, a sophomore at the University of Richmond.
• Ethan Hopp of N. Chesterfield, a sophomore at Hampden-Sydney College.
• Maria Jimenez of N. Chesterfield, a junior at Virginia Tech.
• Ashar Kamal of Glen Allen, a junior at the University of Virginia.
• Grace Killius of Henrico, a sophomore at George Mason University.
• Sophia Kothe of Mechanicsville, a sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University.
• Mikayla Martin of Richmond, a sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University.
• Erika Misseri of Richmond, a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University.
• Leigh-Ashley Pettiway of Midlothian, a senior at North Carolina A&T State University.
• Lydia Storey of Mechanicsville, a junior at Longwood University.
• Samuel Swinson of Richmond, a sophomore at Virginia Tech.
• Kandice Wimbush of Richmond, a senior at Old Dominion University.
• Ella Wolf of Powhatan, a junior at Virginia Tech.
• Marco Yannie of Henrico, a senior at the University of Virginia.

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 for the program next year, students must join VACU by December 1. Scholarship applications for 2023 will be available 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.