Community Choice Awards $100,000 in Scholarships to Help End Michigan's Brain Drain

Four-year total of $405,000 one of the largest credit union awards in the country

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May 23, 2012, 01:52 ET

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., May 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fourth consecutive year, Community Choice Credit Union has committed to reversing Michigan's brain drain by awarding $100,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors. The credit union's foundation recently awarded each of the following 20 students $5,000 in scholarships.

First Name	Last Name	Residence	College
Kyle	Swinkin	Livonia	Michigan State University
Garret	Zuk	Highland	Michigan State University
Caroline	Yuhas	Brighton	University of Michigan
Xheni	Gjergo	Sterling Heights	University of Michigan
Kristianna	Fata	Westland	University of Michigan
Jessica	Plastow	Fenton	Albion College
Victoria	Vandenberg	Trenton	Wayne State University
Matthew	Kruppa	Livonia	Western Michigan University
Allison	Mayer	Livonia	University of Michigan
Laila	Shammout	Dearborn Heights	University of Michigan
Harman	Singh	Rochester	Wayne State University
Holland	Boertje	Wayne	University of Michigan
Joshua	Palmer	Livonia	Central Michigan University
Opeyemi	Akinbola	Ypsilanti	University of Michigan
Kayla	Branton	Livonia	Michigan Technological University
Tyler	Shubitowski	Highland	Michigan State University
Zachary	Rich	Farmington Hills	Wayne State University
Darcy	Vines	Westland	Aquinas College
Alaina	Bur	Clarkston	Grand Valley State University
Mawadah	Samad	Dearborn Heights	Wayne State University

Students were selected from nearly 300 applicants based upon a variety of factors including: academic achievement, community service, and a written essay topic. To encourage growth and future investment in Michigan, the foundation requires that students attend an accredited college in Michigan and additionally commit to utilize their education by giving back to communities throughout the state.

"One of the goals of the Community Choice Foundation is to do our part to reverse the trend commonly labeled "brain drain" from our state," said Rob Bava, CEO of Community Choice Credit Union. "The students, who won these prestigious $5,000 awards, and those who came before them, did so in large part because they demonstrated a vision for committing to their home state of Michigan. They pledged to help grow our economy, enrich our communities through volunteerism and support an existing or emerging Michigan industry post-graduation. They and their families have much to be proud of."

"I want to be a politician in Michigan," said 2012 scholarship recipient, Zachary Rich. "This is my home and I want to protect it. It would be my job and my civil duty to make people without a voice heard. I've had a couple friends who have become homeless the past few years and one thing I want to do is keep the jobs in Michigan and bring more in."

Since 2009 the Community Choice Foundation has provided 81 scholarships to local students; donating over $400,000 to the next generation of Michigan's workforce. In December, the credit union and its foundation launched an alumni program to enhance its commitment to the future of Michigan by providing networking and community volunteer events.

In addition to serving the needs of Michigan's youth, the credit union and its foundation actively support its local communities. Events and promotions by Community Choice and its foundation benefit organizations like Gleaners Community Food Bank, Kids Without Cancer, The American Diabetes Association, and The American Cancer Society.

About Community Choice Credit Union: Established in 1935, Community Choice Credit Union (CCCU) believes in the value of work as a socially responsible, community minded financial institution. CCCU serves individuals in Michigan who live, work, or worship in Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw or Wayne County.

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