BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA—Pelican State Credit Union granted a total of $15,000 to college-bound high school graduates in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements and community service efforts. 2020 makes the 13th year the credit union has been investing in the future leaders of its local communities through its Team Pelican Scholarship Program.

Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 were awarded to one member from each of Pelican’s 11 branch parishes, as well as one out-of-state member and a relative of a Pelican team member. The credit union also awarded two $1,000 awards designed for students who excelled in areas outside of their scholastic accomplishments.

The Heart for Service Award honors a student who displayed first-class service and dedication in their community, and the Pelican Perseverance Award recognizes a student who exemplified strength and determination to overcome life’s challenges. Both awards were given to one well-deserving graduate, who was also the recipient of her parish’s award, bringing the total number of scholarship winners to 13.

2020 Team Pelican Scholarship Award Recipients:

• Brice Arceneaux, Catholic High School of New Iberia

• Charity Cash, Captain Shreve High School

• Elisa Castillion, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies

• Bryson Colwart, Allatoona High School (Georgia)

• Madison Hebert, Ascension Christian High School

• Olivia Hunter, Alexandria Senior High School

• Gabrielle Mejia, Denham Springs High School

• Julie Odom, Zachary High School

• Ella Otken, Denham Springs High School

• Claire Pitre, Ville Platte High School

• Patrick Stevens, LaGrange High School

• Emily Westerberg, Ouachita Parish High School

• Lakeira Williams, East Feliciana High School

A volunteer committee made up of Pelican team members carefully reviewed applications from the 90 high school students that took the time to apply. The average ACT score for all applicants was 22, and the winners that were selected worked over 1,000 combined community service hours. Award recipients are encouraged to use their scholarship to cover tuition, textbooks, meal and housing plans, and more.

“As we conclude year 13 of this terrific program, we cannot express enough how proud we are to continue to help the young minds of tomorrow. Giving back is and always will be the foundation on which Pelican was built, and the Team Pelican Scholarship Award Program and its recipients are a true representation of that,” explained Pelican CEO Jeffrey K. Conrad.

Founded in 2008, Pelican’s Scholarship Award Program is one of the many reasons why it pays to be a member of Pelican. Team Pelican youth savings account holders benefit from not only scholarship award eligibility, but also monetary rewards for good grades on their report cards each semester.

Scholarship applications are accepted starting in January of each year. For more information about eligibility and the application process, call 1-800-351-4877 or visit pelicanstatecu.com/scholarship. 

For over 60 years, Pelican State Credit Union has been providing financial services to individuals and their families throughout the state of Louisiana. The credit union is dedicated to improving the lives of its members through safe, competitive products and educational services. Pelican was originally chartered as the Department of Hospitals Credit Union, located in downtown Baton Rouge, to serve Louisiana charity hospitals, mental health centers, and state office personnel. They have since grown into the largest state-chartered credit union in Louisiana now serving over 60,000 members. For information, visit pelicanstatecu.com.