KALAMAZOO, MI  – Arbor Financial Credit Union is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2019 Arbor Financial Community Scholarship.

The Arbor Financial Community Scholarship awards $24,000 to twelve high school seniors residing in Michigan. Since the creation of the scholarship program in 1999, Arbor Financial has awarded $460,000 to area students through the program. The 2019 scholarships were awarded based on the strength of the essay which addressed the topic: “Share with us a time when their ethics guided you to do the right thing in a difficult situation.”

Nearly 150 students submitted entries, which were presented anonymously to a team of Arbor Financial volunteers for evaluation.  Finalists were then presented to Arbor Financial’s Board of Directors where the following twelve winners were selected: 

• Alisa Ertman, Schoolcraft High School, Ferris State University, Radiology.

• Autumn Cain, Gull Lake High School, University of Michigan, Aerospace Engineering and Astrophysics.

• Daisy Bennett, Plainwell High School, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Nurse Midwife.

• Grey Buchheit, Schoolcraft High School, Grand Valley State University, Special Education Teaching.

• Hayden VanderWeele, Portage Northern High School, Trine University, Engineering.

• Jessica Eddy, Homeschool, Cornerstone University, Psychology and Professional Writing.

• Kylie Brown, Portage Central High School, Western Michigan University, Vocal Performance.

• Madeline Ritter, Vicksburg High School, Western Michigan University, Communication and Psychology.

• Meris Watson, Coloma Community High School, Lake Michigan College, Business.

• Natalie Howard, Kalamazoo Central High School, Michigan Technological University, Sustainability Science and Society.

• Victoria Strickland, Kalamazoo Central High School, Eastern Michigan University, Psychology.

• Will Keller, Loy Norrix High School, Kalamazoo College, Biology.

In addition to the scholarship program, Arbor Financial offers the Volt Account, a unique bundled account designed especially for young adults, to help them take charge of their money as they transition to independence.  What’s more, as a gift to the high school graduating Class of 2019, Arbor Financial is offering a gift of $25 after members complete three debit card transactions.  Details can be found at arborfcu.org/grads.

Founded in 1935, Arbor Financial Credit Union’s purpose is to help members grow and achieve their dreams through innovative financial solutions. Offering a full range of financial services for personal, mortgage and business accounts, Arbor continues to experience rapid growth and has now exceeded $643 million in assets, and more than 40,000 members throughout Michigan. Arbor Financial has been received the Better Business Bureau Torch Award Winner for Ethics, and has also been recognized as one of the ‘Best and Brightest Places to Work’ both locally and nationally. Visit arborfcu.org to learn more.