PURCHASE, NY – Tara Downey, age 18, of Wilton, CT has won scholarships from the Credit Union Association of New York (CUANY) ($500) and the Westchester-Rockland Chapter Scholarship ($500), in addition to a $500 scholarship from Quorum.
Kate Zendell, 17, of Suffern, NY and Christina Curtis, 17, of Morton Grove, IL were also awarded $500 scholarships from Quorum.
Tara Downey is a two-sport varsity athlete who is actively involved with her church, as both an altar server and a Vacation Bible School participant. She will graduate from Wilton High School as a member of the National Honor Society and plans to attend Gettysburg College.
Kate Zendell’s interests include running, soccer, and volunteering. She will graduate from Suffern High School and plans to attend Yale College.
Christina Curtis graduated with Summa Cum Laude Honors and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is a four-year member of Niles North High School’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble and marching band. She is also an avid dancer and captain of her competitive dance team. Christina will attend Marquette University, and pursue a degree as a Physician Assistant.
“Quorum is proud to participate in a program designed to recognize and reward our young members nationwide who pursue and excel in higher education,” said Bruno Sementilli, president/CEO of Quorum. “We couldn’t be prouder of our members.”
Applications were judge by CUANY, and included a 300-500 word essay on the significance of “people helping people,” a principle essential to the philosophical foundation of credit unions (not-for-profit financial cooperatives that exist to serve members). Judging was also based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, honors, community service and leadership. This year, CUANY awarded a total of $27,500 in scholarships to 56 credit union members. Over 96 credit unions and nine chapters participated.
Quorum Federal Credit Union (www.quorumfcu.org) is headquartered at 2500 Westchester Avenue, Suite 411, Purchase, NY 10577. Founded in 1934 as the exclusive credit union for Kraft Foods employees, today the Credit Union serves over 50 companies nationwide (Ogilvy, Avon, Mondelēz International, Philip Morris, etc.) and has over 70,000 members living in all 50 states. Quorum serves its members with both in-person and remote banking channels—including branches, a call center, and online and mobile banking—so banking is possible anywhere, any time.
The Credit Union Association of New York (CUANY) (www.cuany.org) provides credit unions with a full range of services including education and training, advocacy, community outreach, human resources and compliance. Under the leadership of President and CEO William J. Mellin, the Association is now the fifth largest association in the country. It was founded in 1917.
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