Charlottesville, Virginia, June 7, 2021: UVA Community Credit Union announced the 2020-2021 recipients of its annual scholarship program during its virtual Annual Meeting. Eighteen high school seniors were awarded $1,500 each. 

“Education is something you carry with you for a lifetime. That’s why we feel it is so important to give graduating high school seniors a head start in college through the Credit Union’s Local High School Scholarship program,” said Jeffrey C. Moscicki, the chairman of the credit union Board of Directors. 

Scholarship submissions were open to students from area public high schools, private schools, alternate schools and homeschooled students who reside in counties located in the areas the credit union serves, which includes: City of Charlottesville, Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, and Rappahannock counties. 

The application process required an essay to be submitted on the topic “The COVID pandemic has created financial stress for many. What is the most important thing you will do in the future to ensure your finances are ready for anything?” Many of the essays outlined examples of how the pandemic financially impacted their family. The essay question helped them self-reflect and realize the importance of saving and being prepared for the unexpected. Overall, their answers were perceptive, and their savings habits show that they are on the way to being thoughtful, financially prudent members of the community. 

Part of UVA Community Credit Union’s mission is to improve the well-being of its members and to strengthen the communities in which they live. To accomplish this mission, the credit union places an emphasis on education by offering a variety of free community education seminars and through the high school scholarship program. 

### UVA Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative that provides a wide range of convenient and professionally managed financial services to its more than 70,000 members. Membership is available to those who live, work, or own a business located in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange, or Rappahannock. Federally Insured by NCUA. 

Photo Caption: 2020-2021 UVA Community Credit Union scholarship recipients 

Top row (left to right): Vincent Taylor – Albemarle Corey Mills – Charlottesville Kyle McMeans – Culpeper County Jamil Abed – Eastern View Zachary Nelson – Fauquier 

Middle row (left to right): Skylar Solga – Fluvanna County Connor Williams – Kettle Run Elizabeth Ott – Liberty Rachel Clarke – Louisa County Maya Powell – Madison County 

Bottom row (left to right): Benjamin Genson – Monticello Mary-Brenna Sherwood – Nelson County Trenton Mathews – Orange County Jenna Robey – Rappahannock County Kelly Punsalan – Western Albemarle Laith Zaatar – William Monroe Rowan Thompson – Murray Paige Peterman – Homeschooled