LAWRENCEVILLE, GA (May 1, 2026) |
The Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its Annual Scholarship Program. This year the C.A.R.E.S. Foundation awarded a total of $272,500 in scholarships to high school students, professionals seeking career advancement, and educational organizations across Georgia and South Carolina – reinforcing its commitment to education, community growth, and developing future leaders.
“At the heart of the Foundation is a mission to support education, the arts, and charitable organizations throughout our service area – helping create brighter possibilities for the communities we serve.” said Ryan Hawk, Peach State’s Executive Director of Business Development & Community Outreach and Foundation President. “These students represent the future of our communities, and we’re honored to support their continued academic journeys.”
The Annual Scholarship Program is part of the credit union’s ongoing commitment to empowering members through education and financial opportunity. Scholarships are awarded annually to help offset the costs of higher education and encourage success both in and of out the classroom.
The Career Advancement Scholarships honor Peach State’s founding visionaries and their dedication to education, hard work, and community support. This year’s recipients include:
- Alma Adamo, Jackson County
- Daniel Aniceto, Gwinnett County
- Jade Brown, Clarke County
- Alex Coley, Jackson County
- Monica Evans, Putnam County
- Jasmine Favors-Contreras, Gwinnett County
- Tanisha Hector, Oconee County
- Montavia Jackson, DeKalb County
- Morrisa Jones, Richmond County
- Tojuana Lindley, DeKalb County
- Lisa Moody, Gwinnett County
- Katrina Morris, Richmond County
- Alliyah Morrison, Stephens County
- Chelsey Murphy, Gwinnett County
- Christopher Slaughter, DeKalb County
- Shauntee Smalls, Gwinnett County
- Marie Tshibula, Barrow County
- Jenny Vasquez, Chattooga County
- Jessica Waters, Union County
- Adrienne Wells, Abbeville County
Demonstrating the credit union’s strong commitment to education and community leadership, this year’s Student Scholarship recipients include:
- Emmanuella Afamefuna, South Aiken High School | Peach State Scholarship for Aiken County Schools
- Chyna Anothony, Westside High School | Gracewood Student Scholarship
- Ella Atkins, Abbeville High School | Peach State Scholarship for Abbeville County School District
- Allison Bedford, LaFayette High School | Peach State Scholarship for LaFayette High School
- Bralie Blevins, LaFayette High School | Peach State FCU Student Scholarship
- Gabriella Bowling, Towns County High School | Legacy Student Scholarship
- Seneca Buchanan, Chattooga High School | Peach State Scholarship for Chattooga County High School
- Aaliyah Crump, Butler High School | Brian Mulherin, Sr. Student Scholarship
- Charife Diallo, Clarke Central High School | Pomeroy Woods Student Scholarship
- Savannah Griffin, South Carolina Governor's School for Agriculture | Peach State FCU Student Scholarship
- Christopher Grover, Midland Valley High School | Peach State Scholarship for Aiken County Schools
- Jakob Guerrero, North Gwinnett High School | Rick Cost Student Scholarship
- Sadie Hale, Oconee County High School | Dr. John Jackson Student Scholarship (Education Major)
- Macey Harrison, Habersham Central High School | Legacy Student Scholarship
- Kamaria Haynes, TW Josey Comprehensive High School | Marion Barnes Student Scholarship
- Jessica Hughes, Jackson County High School | Andy Byers Student Scholarship
- Dayona James, South Gwinnett High School | Dr. Frances Davis Student Scholarship
- Y'Keysha Jenkins, Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School | RCT FCU Volunteers Student Scholarship
- Ava Mills, Loganville High School | Gary Hobbs Student Scholarship
- Layla Nunnally, Burke County High School | Legacy Student Scholarship
- Jannah Payne, Benjamin E. Mays High School | Peach State Scholarship for Atlanta Public Schools
- Mikayla Petersheim, Stephens County High School | Peach State FCU Student Scholarship
- Linley Ramey, Trion High School | Peach State Scholarship for Trion High School
- Anna Rodriguez, Peachtree Ridge High School | Legacy Student Scholarship
- Marvin Ross, Apalachee High School | Dan Cromer Student Scholarship
- Mohammed Samad, Cedar Shoals High School | Pomeroy Woods Student Scholarship
- Ethan Stovall, Hart County High School | Legacy Student Scholarship
- Charles Ulmer, Oconee County High School | Dr. John Jackson Student Scholarship (Business Major)
- Katie Vangotum, Jefferson High School | Dr. John Jackson Student Scholarship
- Zhani Washington, AR Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet High School | Robert Bradford Student Scholarship
- Brady Wright, Easley High School | Peach State Scholarship for Pickens County Schools
Through scholarships and educational grants, the Peach State FCU C.A.R.E.S. Foundation is also proud to support the following organizations:
- Athens Tech Foundation
- 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
- John de la Howe School Foundation
- North Georgia Technical College Foundation
- Paine College
- Piedmont University
- Riverside Military Academy
- Stephens County Schools REACH