Credit union awards $4,000 in scholarships

Credit union awards $4,000 in scholarships

June 5, 2018 - FreeStar Financial Credit Union will award $4,000 in scholarships to four high school graduates at a luncheon ceremony June 20.

The credit union annually recognizes students who model the credit union philosophy of people helping people by awarding a Community Action Scholarship of $1,000 each to two students. Clayton Maksymiuk from Richmond High School and Ashley Pangan from Chippewa Valley High School are the 2018 winners.

Maksymiuk, graduating in the top 5 of his class, plans to attend the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) to study computer science and statistics. He served as the president of the National Honor Society, volunteered for Kids Against Hunger, and tutored kids in theater and other academics.

Pangan plans to attend Grand Valley State University (Allendale, Mich.) to study accounting. She volunteered regularly at the St. Louis Catholic Church food pantry and Chippewa Valley’s Key Club, where she was very active in “Be the Change” to foster the culture within the school by hosting inclusion events.

Two additional students earned the Military Honor Scholarship, which is awarded to members of FreeStar Financial Credit Union whose parent is active military, reserve or veteran. Calli Rechsteiner from Anchor Bay High School and Sarah Sawyer from L’Anse Creuse High School will receive $1,000 each as this year’s Military Honor Scholarship winners.

Rechsteiner plans to attend Northern Michigan University (Marquette) to become a physician’s assistant. Her father is retired from the U.S. Coast Guard. Rechsteiner holds her school record for pole vault at 10’9”, was active with the Key Club, and tutored middle school students in math and Spanish.

Sawyer plans to attend Kettering University (Flint, Mich.) to study mechanical engineering. She participated in dual enrollment at Baker College while in high school to student Computer Aided Design (CAD). Sawyer’s father is in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and served in Desert Storm. She volunteered with National Honor Society projects and with the Detroit Arsenal youth programs. Sawyer hopes to use her skills to support the military as a civilian in the future.

“Each year, we receive so many outstanding applicants that our decision becomes more difficult,” said Drema Isaac, President & CEO. “These amazing students have developed a pattern of helping in their community while maintaining academic excellence, and we are proud to recognize them.”

FreeStar Financial Credit Union is a not-for-profit, full-service financial institution serving all those who live, work, worship or are educated in 10 counties in Southeastern Michigan and military throughout the state.