$500 Scholarships Awarded to Washtenaw Community College Students
Ann Arbor, Michigan - June 1, 2009
Sheldon Ferguson and Kayla Vega each won a $500 scholarship for their
essays on the topic of how to create a personal spending plan and ways
to cut costs. Financial literacy is part of the First Year Experience
college success course they attended at Washtenaw Community College.
The credit education scholarship award program is provided through
Credit Professionals of Ann Arbor (CPAA). An association since 1980,
Credit Professionals of Ann Arbor provides education to their members,
and also volunteers to teach basic money management skills in high
school and college classrooms. The organization sold holiday wreaths and
geraniums to raise scholarship money, and an extra $500 was donated by
the University of Michigan Credit Union so that two awards could be
given this year.
Kayla's teacher, Kimberly Groce, wrote a recommendation saying that
"Kayla was an excellent student...not only did she understand how to use
the tools she learned in class, she also learned how to apply the
success principles in her life." Kayla's essay described how she
developed a plan for bills, savings, and fun. She wrote that she saves
her change. Every time Kayla "uses her debit card the change is rounded
to the nearest dollar amount and put into her savings account. Though it
is a slow process every penny helps. That's not including the $10 a
month I put in my emergency fund." At just 19, Kayla Vega is on her way
to a successful life and career!
Kayla and Sheldon, along with their parents and teachers were the
special guests at the CPAA breakfast meeting at Weber's Inn on May 12,
2009. Sue Bentley, Sheldon's mom, expressed how proud she is at her
son's progress, and said receiving the scholarship award meant a great
deal to him. Sheldon's teacher, Diana Clark, stated that writing is an
area he is improving, and that he wrote some of the best reflection
journal assignments for the course. Diana says Sheldon 'takes his
education seriously, has perfect attendance and submits assignments
before the due date." Sheldon Ferguson is the type of student CPAA
likes to recognize and support with the scholarship award!
The attached picture shows Diana Clark, Student Success teacher from
Washtenaw Community College; Beth Blanco, Budget Counselor from
University of Michigan Credit Union and this year's CPAA Credit
Education Committee Chairwoman; Kayla Vega and Sheldon Ferguson, the two
students who won the $500 scholarship awards; and Jim Kirk, Director of
Community Relations for the University of Michigan Credit Union.
If any additional information is needed, please contact Credit
Professionals of Ann Arbor through:
Kathryn Greiner, AFC
Director of Credit Education
University of Michigan Credit Union
305 E. Eisenhower, Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
(734) 662-8200 XT 2741
kathryng@umcu.org