LAWRENCEVILLE, GA (April 24, 2025) |
The Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Scholarship Program. This year, the C.A.R.E.S. Foundation awarded $277,000 in scholarships and educational grants to outstanding high school students, professionals seeking career advancement, and educational organizations throughout Georgia and South Carolina. These scholarships reflect Peach State’s ongoing commitment to education, community development, and empowering the next generation of leaders.
“We’re honored to support these exceptional students,” said Ryan Hawk, Peach State’s Executive Director of Business Development and Community Outreach and Foundation President. “Each one represents the bright future of our communities, and we’re proud to help them take the next step in their education.”
The Career Advancement Scholarships were established to honor the visionaries who founded Peach State and their belief in the power of education, hard work, and community support:
- Ashley Bailey, Jackson County
- Kyla Brown, McCormick County
- Tanisea Coleman, DeKalb County
- Thuy Dao, Gwinnett County
- Crystal Gipson, Richmond County
- Lisa Holmes, Richmond County
- Anastasia Klukowski, Clarke County
- Bradley Lesley, Clarke County
- Sara McGee, Greenwood County
- Drew Miles, Gwinnett County
- Eric Pearson, Walton County | Wilma Widmer Career Advancement Scholarship
- Addie Pitts, Habersham County
- Kashonna Pressley, Stephens County
- ShaSavia Reed, Jackson County
- Angela Richardson, Gwinnett County
- Lashalla Roberson, Richmond County
- Anitra Smith, Clarke County
- Jasmine Taylor, DeKalb County
- Chinesia Thompson, Clarke County
- Kea Williams, Gwinnett County
The Student Scholarships reflects the credit unions’ deep appreciation for our local school systems and community leaders:
- James Adams, Jr., Hephzibah High School | Robert Bradford Student Scholarship
- Christopher Austin, Jackson County High School | Andy Byers Student Scholarship
- Celine Balthazar, Social Circle High School | Legacy Student Scholarship
- Charlotte Barry, North Oconee High School | Dr. John Jackson Student Scholarship (Education Major)
- Mattison Bowdre, Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School | Marion Barnes Student Scholarship
- Jesse Bradford, LaFayette High School | Peach State FCU Student Scholarship
- Lane Bridges, Chattooga High School | Peach State Student Scholarship for Chattooga County High School
- Abigail Brown, Union County High School | Legacy Student Scholarship
- Aniyah Buckley, Clarke Central High School | Pomeroy Woods Student Scholarship
- Lyles Cannon, North Augusta High School | Peach State FCU Student Scholarship for Aiken County Schools
- Catherine Carmichael, Mill Creek High School | Dr. Frances Davis Student Scholarship
- Reagan Chizek, Loganville High School | Gary Hobbs Student Scholarship
- Hunter Creasy, Aiken High School | Peach State FCU Student Scholarship for Aiken County Schools
- Lucy Edwards, Oconee County High School | Dr. John Jackson Student Scholarship (Business Major)
- Riley Freeman, Pickens High School | Peach State Student Scholarship for Pickens County School District
- Giancarlo Galue, Collins Hill High School | Legacy Student Scholarship
- Fallon Green, Cedar Shoals High School | Pomeroy Woods Student Scholarship
- Cloey Harding, Stephens County High School | Legacy Student Scholarship
- Meah Hobbs, LaFayette High School | Peach State Student Scholarship for LaFayette High School
- Emma Horne, Abbeville High School | Peach State Student Scholarship for Abbeville County School District
- Nickolaus Mitchell, Trion High School | Peach State Student Scholarship for Trion High School
- Patrice Neely, John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School | Brian Mulherin, Sr. Student Scholarship
- Zyani Recendiz Rodriguez, AR Johnson Magnet School | Richmond County Teachers Student Scholarship
- Shanell Reese, Butler High School | Gracewood Student Scholarship
- Aidan Russell, Apalachee High School | Dan Cromer Student Scholarship
- Samuel Segrist, Lakeside High School | Peach State FCU Student Scholarship
- Allie Taylor, SC Governors School of Agriculture at John De La Howe | Peach State FCU Student Scholarship
- Addison Thomas, Brookwood High School | Rick Cost Student Scholarship
In addition, the Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation is also proud to support the following organizations with scholarships and educational grants:
- Barrow County Schools REACH
- Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation
- Georgia Northwestern Technical College
- Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation
- Gwinnett Technical College Foundation
- Hart County Schools Education Pathway Scholarship
- North Georgia Technical College Foundation
- Oconee County REACH
- Paine College
- Piedmont University
- Riverside Military Academy
- Social Circle City Schools REACH
- Stephens County Schools REACH
The Annual Scholarship Program honors the lasting legacy of the credit union’s past and present board members and employees, while celebrating the lifetime achievements of numerous distinguished leaders in local school systems and communities who have shaped the future through their service. Since the program’s inception in 2002, over $2.7 million dollars in scholarships and grants have been awarded to students and educational programs across Georgia and South Carolina. To learn more about Peach State’s Scholarship Program, visit peachstatefcu.org/scholarships.