IN THE NEWS

Albuquerque, N.M. – Kirtland Credit Union has awarded $10,000 to its annual college scholarship program winners. Kirtland Credit Union awarded four New Mexico high school graduates a $2,500 scholarship for the upcoming fall semester.

“One of Kirtland Credit Union’s Core Values is the community and aligns to the credit union initiative of ‘people helping people,’” said KCU President/CEO Matt Rarden. “An integral part of the community is our youth; we must invest in them as they are our future. We are honored to support these four New Mexico high school graduates by easing some of the financial burdens of higher education. These scholarships will positively impact their careers and future in the communities where they live and work.”

Applicants must be members or sponsored by a Kirtland Credit Union member to be eligible for the scholarship, accepted into a two- or four-year college or university, and enrolled in the upcoming fall semester. Applicants submitted a nonprofit idea for Kirtland Credit Union to support.

This year’s scholarship winners included:

• Benjamin L. Henrique, Volcano Vista High School, attending the University of New Mexico. Henrique wrote about financial literacy in the community.
• Drew A. Squires, East Mountain High School, attending Brigham Young University-Idaho. Squires’ essay detailed a non-profit supporting music education for the youth in the community.
• Nicole Sierra Banega, Hope Christian High School, attending Grand Canyon University. Banega’s essay outlined a non-profit to support children who have experienced domestic violence or who have experienced a loss of a parent due to drug addiction.
• Rebekah Freeman, Piedra Vista High School in Farmington, attending Arizona Christian University. Freeman wrote about having a non-profit entitled “Meals with Seniors.” Her proposed non-profit will allow homebound seniors to visit with the person who delivers meals.