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Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation awards $654,000 in scholarships to area college students

HERNDON, VA (October 23, 2014) — The new school year is underway and, thanks to the Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation, twenty college students from the Virginia area have help paying for their education.

Each year, the NWFCU Foundation awards a total of $100,000 in college scholarships – $5,000 each – to 20 students who have demonstrated qualities of leadership, dedication and commitment in school, at home and in the community.

“These students have displayed the qualities that will make them future leaders in our community,” said Chris McDonald, Chairman of the NWFCU Foundation and President/CEO of Northwest Federal Credit Union. “We are pleased to make an investment in their future – and our community’s future – by helping them pay for college.”

In 2005, the NWFCU Foundation, the charitable arm of the Credit Union, established the Ben DeFelice Scholarship program in honor of Northwest Federal’s longest running Chairman of the Board. DeFelice held that office for 31 years. Since the program was initiated, the Foundation has recognized 146 scholarship recipients, awarding a total of $654,000.

“The rising cost of an education seems to be in the news every day,” said Linda Rogus, Executive Director of the NWFCU Foundation. “I can’t think of a better way to impact our community than by encouraging hardworking students and supporting their college dreams.”

Winners of the 2014 Ben DeFelice Scholarships include:

  • Rachel Atkinson,graduate of St. Clare’s, Oxford. She will attend Carnegie Mellon University.
  • Maria Cascio, a home-school graduate. She will attend Christopher Newport University.
  • Olivia Corso, graduate of Tuscarora High School. She will attend the University of Virginia.
  • Alexandra Cramer, graduate of Langley High School. She will attend the College of William & Mary.
  • Gretchen Eichelberger, a graduate of Northern High School. She will attend Salisbury University.
  • Blake Feichtl, graduate of Westfield High School. He will attend Virginia Tech.
  • TroyHunsaker,graduate of Herndon High school. He will attend Brigham Young University.
  • JaredHunsaker,graduate of Herndon High school. He will attend Brigham Young University.
  • Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf,graduate of Langley High School. She will attend Northwestern University.
  • Matthew Moon, graduate of Loudoun County High School. He will attend the University of Virginia.
  • Oluwagbotemi Olafunmiloye, graduate of Howard High School. He will attend Ursinus College.
  • Benjamin Pavich, graduate of Dominion High School. He will attend the University of Alabama.
  • Megan Pearson, graduate of JW Robinson Secondary School. She will attend Ohio State University.
  • Paul Pemberton, graduate of Tufts University. He will attend the University of California, Berkeley.
  • Derek Phillips, graduate of South Lakes High School. He will attend Stanford University.
  • Jessica Pixley,a home-school graduate. She will attend the College of William & Mary.
  • Jennifer Prosser, graduate of Oakton High School. She will attend the University of Notre Dame.
  • Sydney Sampson, graduate of James Madison High School. She will attend the University of Virginia.
  • Daniel Schimoler, graduate of Westfield High School. He will attend Longwood University.
  • Kendall Trout, graduate of Culpeper County High School. He will attend James Madison University.

Scholarship recipients must be Northwest Federal members for at least one year and can receive the scholarship twice. To learn more about the Ben DeFelice Scholarship, visit http://www.nwfcufoundation.org/scholarships/bdf/default.html. 

About Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation
The Foundation was established in 2004 to promote and manage Northwest Federal Credit Union’s philanthropic activities. The mission of Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation is to strengthen our community through our scholarship, mentoring and youth outreach programs. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permissible by law for those who itemize deductions. For more information, visit www.nwfcufoundation.org.

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