On Friday, May 16th, Neighbors FCU honored students and educators at the 8th Annual Neighbors Way Tuition Assistance Awards Breakfast with over $50,000 in aid. Students received tuition assistance in the form of grants starting from one-time $1,000 payments all the way up to our Greg Inman Memorial Scholarship winner.
Named in memory of our former Chief Operations Officer, Greg Inman, this student receives a 4-year, $20,000 scholarship. Greg was an incredible supporter of our mascot school program and a shining example of faith and leadership in our community. We are proud to announce the winner of the Greg Inman Memorial Scholarship is Sydni Wheeler of Baton Rouge Magnet High School.
Raised by her mother and grandmother, Sydni Wheeler is Senior Class President at Baton Rouge Magnet High School and a 2025 YoungArts winner in the popular voice category. She will attend Tufts University in the Fall.
The 16 Tuition Award Recipients are as follows:
- A'Zyria Parker – Scotlandville Magnet High School
- Alex Theall – Acadiana High School
- Brennan Besse – Central High School
- Bryson Robinson – St. Helena College & Career Academy
- Chance Gordon – Woodlawn High School
- Grant Pendergraft – Denham Springs High School
- Jordan Greenup – Liberty Magnet High School
- Kaci Buckley – Broadmoor High School
- Krishawndalyn Clark – Port Allen High School
- Laylah Ervin – Live Oak High School
- Natalie Davis – Baker High School
- Reynolds Pontti – The Dunham School
- Rylee Rodgers – McKinley High School
- Sawyer Herring – Walker High School
- Sydni Wheeler – Baton Rouge Magnet High School
- Trinitee Thyssen – Southern University Lab School
In addition to these students, the Neighbors Kinship Award was created to honor graduating seniors of Neighbors employees that exemplify the Neighbors Way. Each year, qualifying high school seniors who have a parent or legal guardian with a minimum of one-year service at the credit union are eligible to receive a $1,000 award to be put toward their first year of college.
And finally, Neighbors FCU launched a new recognition program this year, the Neighbors Educator Impact Award, to celebrate exceptional teachers, coaches, and school administrators who go above and beyond to inspire and support their students. What makes this award especially meaningful is that nominations came directly from the scholarship recipients themselves, who credited these educators with making a lasting impact on their lives.
Three educators received a $1,000 award in recognition of their extraordinary service and dedication to student success.
Over the last eight years, Neighbors FCU has awarded $507,000 in scholarships to students throughout our incredible and vibrant community and is proud to continue this mission for years to come.