Bay Federal Credit Union has announced the winners of its 2020 Education Scholarship and 2020 Mac McCormac Employee Scholarship programs.
Education Scholarship awards of $1,500 each were awarded to Alexis Escarcega, Marya Noble, and Eduardo Serrano. Mac McCormac Employee Scholarship awards of $1,000 each went to Camila Martinez, Micaela DiPiero, and Raelene Rodriguez.
Applicants submitted recent school transcripts, letters of recommendation from teachers, professors, or community members, an explanation of what they have done to prepare themselves for success in their future education goals, and an essay describing the negative consequences of a spending habit. A panel of Bay Federal Credit Union employees reviewed scholarship materials of more than 30 applicants.
“These students so clearly demonstrated their commitment to their education goals,” said Carrie Birkhofer, Bay Federal president and CEO. “My hope is that each one of them will continue to thrive and make a real difference in our world.”
Alexis Escarcega
Alexis Escarcega is majoring Spanish/Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino studies with a minor in math at Gettysburg College. Escarcega’s goal is to improve education experiences for minority students as a high school teacher.
Marya Noble
Marya Noble is a nursing student at Evergreen Valley College. After completing the nursing program, Noble plans to study for another two years at San Jose State University and become a registered nurse.
Eduardo Serrano
Eduardo Serrano is a 3rd year history major at San Jose State University. Serrano intends to earn a bachelor’s degree, and then continue on to graduate school with the goal of becoming a college professor.
Micaela DiPiero
Micaela DiPiero, an employee at Bay Federal’s Scotts Valley branch, will attend Ashford University this fall. DiPiero plans to major in psychology and minor in communications, and intends to become a high school counselor to support students’ educational goals.
Camila Martinez
Camila Martinez, an employee at the River Street Branch, is studying business administration at Cabrillo College. Martinez will transfer to San Jose State to pursue a bachelor’s degree this fall, and plans to continue working with Bay Federal after graduation.
Raelene Rodriguez
Raelene Rodriguez, an employee at the Watsonville Branch, is studying health and human services with a concentration in public administration at California State University, Monterey Bay. Rodriguez hopes to work in the human resources field, preferably for the County of Santa Cruz.
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Since 2008, Bay Federal has awarded 64 scholarships totaling $52,500 to students pursuing higher education goals. The Mac McCormac Employee Scholarship is named after credit union’s first employee.