Watford City, ND - May 22, 2020 - Breaking from its tradition, Dakota West awarded $500 to every student who submitted an application for its 2020 Dakota West Credit Union Annual Scholarships. Originally planning to award four scholarships, current high school seniors and enrolled college and trade school students submitted essays focusing on the Dakota West value of Communication.

“The unconventional circumstances for most students right now made the final months of this school year an exercise in self-discipline. Any students who made the effort to speak to their viewpoint on the importance of Communication in this time of social-distancing deserves to be recognized for his or her dedication,” Juliet Jones, Marketing Coordinator for Dakota West, explained of the change in the number of recipients.

These seven students received news of their receipt of these scholarships on Dakota West’s Facebook page:

Taylalyn Kaczmar plans to pursue studies in Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University.

Charles Eriksmoen, a current student at Bismarck State College, is finishing his first year as a Farm and Ranch Management major.

Ethan Kobos plans to study Cyber Security this fall at the University of North Dakota.

Gracey Russell from Washburn hopes to begin classes in the fall at Bismarck State College.

Clayton Ledahl intends to stay close to home when he enrolls at Williston State College in the fall.

Morgan Reiser, is finishing her first year at Dakota College of Bottineau where she studies Nursing.  

Hannah Johnson is a two-time scholarship winner, and is a member of the Grenora branch.

Dakota West expresses its congratulations and gratitude to the all the student members!  

Established in 1941, each of its branches and its members and employees help grow the Dakota West family with exceptional commitment to building relationships and strengthening communities. Dakota West Credit Union is instilling its young members with skills to maintain personal financial responsibility throughout their education. Dakota West supports all its members with comprehensive, competitive financial products partnered with personal, professional service. To learn more visit dakotawestcu.com.