Press

American Airlines Federal Credit Union awards 2021 scholarships to 11 students

FORT WORTH, TX (September 30, 2021) — For more than a decade, American Airlines Federal Credit Union has been proud to invest in the futures of its young member-owners by providing scholarship awards toward higher education. This year, out of hundreds of initial applicants, the Credit Union was pleased to award a total of 11 scholarships. Six high school students and five college students each received $4,000 scholarships.

In the past, recipients were invited to attend our annual shareholders meeting where Credit Union President & CEO Gail Enda would personally present their checks. But because of the ongoing concerns around the pandemic, almost all of this year’s recipients participated in a special online group video conference call where they were given the opportunity to ask Enda questions after the award presentation.

“Our scholarship recipients for the last two years have certainly been faced with more than their share of additional challenges as they’ve continued to navigate a world still in the grips of an ongoing pandemic,” said Lori Hall, Senior Vice President of Member Experience at American Airlines Credit Union. “We wish that we could present our winners with these honors in person, but we’ve been delighted that our virtual presentations have allowed almost every recipient to participate. We’re also confident that their perseverance throughout these difficult times means they’re destined for great things in the future.”

We’re pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 American Airlines Credit Union Scholarship:

High School Recipients

  • Bianca Carufel, 18, of Seattle, Washington, is studying business and marketing at the University of Washington.
  • Nandika Chirala, 18, of Frisco, Texas, is studying economics at Vanderbilt University.
  • Abigail Gordon, 19, of Hainesville, Florida, is studying actuarial science and psychology at Cornell University.
  • Riley Hamilton, 18, of Sedalia, Colorado, is studying engineering at the University of Oklahoma.
  • Rishi Niranjan, 18, of Allen, Texas, is studying business, finance and computer science at the University of Texas at Austin.
  • Justin Folks, 19, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, is studying economics and government at Harvard University.

College Recipients

  • Abigail DeHart, 21, of Euless, Texas, is studying communication at the University of Oklahoma.
  • Kasra Lekan, 19, of Irvine, California, is studying computer science and economics at the University of Virginia.
  • Rachel Mannon, 19, of Plano, Texas, is studying electrical engineering with a biomedical specialization as well as German at Southern Methodist University.
  • Nathaniel Thompson, 19, of Chandler, Arizona, is studying supply chain management at Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University.
  • Jamie Gallagher, 19, of Spicewood, Texas, is studying aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

The 2022 American Airlines Credit Union Scholarship applications will be available in December 2021. To learn more or to become a member-owner, call (800) 533-0035, visit AACreditUnion.org or visit your local Credit Union branch.


About American Airlines Federal Credit Union

Founded in 1936, American Airlines Credit Union now serves the present and retired employees of American Airlines, their family members and people who work in the air transportation industry. In its 88th year, the Credit Union has more than 354,000 members nationwide and assets in excess of $8.6 billion. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, American Airlines Credit Union is committed first and foremost to enriching its member-owners’ financial well-being through their participation in the products and services of the Credit Union. For more information, please visit AACreditUnion.org.

Contacts

Todd Camp
(817) 863-4020 | todd.camp@aacreditunion.org

More News