Pensacola, FL. (January 5, 2023) – Gulf Winds and the Gulf Winds Cares Foundation is now accepting applications to their annual academic scholarship program. The program offers five scholarships, each worth $5,000. Four scholarships will be offered to first year continuing education students. One of these four scholarships is reserved for a student going to a trade school. Gulf Winds is also proud to introduce the Micah Williams Memorial Scholarship for Future Medical Professionals.

The Micah Williams Memorial Scholarship will award $5,000 to a post-secondary student enrolled in a health discipline directly related to patient care. The scholarship honors Micah Jay Williams, who sadly succumbed to a heart condition at just 8 months of age. Micah was born on November 20, 2018, with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Despite the devastating diagnosis, Micah recovered from two open-heart surgeries and thrived. He was happy and made a huge impact on his family through his strength, smile and joy. Although Micah was doing well, his health took a dramatic and sudden turn on August 6, 2019. His heart condition ultimately took his life that day.

While we can’t heal the pain left by Micah’s absence, we can honor his memory. The Micah Williams Memorial Scholarship was created for students seeking higher education in the medical field so they can contribute to the health of their patients and aid people like Micah. The scholarship is made possible by a generous endowment gift to the Gulf Winds Cares Foundation from Chris, Katia, Josh and Kyle Rutledge. The Rutledges first became connected to Micah and the Williams family through Gulf Winds, where Chris was the President and CEO for over twenty years. During that time, he worked closely with Jack Williams, Micah’s great-grandfather, and a longtime member of the Credit Union’s Board of Directors.

Applications for all scholarships are due by Friday, March 3, 2023, 5:00 pm CT. Eligible applicants for the Micah Williams Memorial Scholarship must live in Gulf Winds’ 75 county service area and have at least 12 credit hours remaining to attain their desired certificate or degree. Eligible applicants for the other four scholarships must be graduating high school seniors or high school graduates. To qualify for these scholarships, the applicant, their parent(s) or their grandparents must be a Gulf Winds member in good standing on or before September 30, 2022.

Full eligibility guidelines and online application available at GoGulfWinds.com/scholarship.

Since 1954, Gulf Winds Credit Union has offered products and services that Move Members Forward. Gulf Winds provides 80,000+ members with the convenience of 13 branch locations, digital banking, nationwide surcharge-free ATMs and the support of more than 200 knowledgeable employees committed to providing excellent service. Membership is open to anyone that lives, works, worships or attends school in North Florida, Southern Alabama and Southern Georgia. Visit GoGulfWinds.com for more information.