Neighbors Capital Area Foundation Grants $15,000 in Tuition Assistance to Nine Graduating Seniors
Earlier this year, the Neighbors Capital Area Foundation launched its newest initiative, the Neighbors Way Tuition Assistance Award. The purpose of the program is to minimize the financial burdens presented to incoming college freshmen. The foundation will grant awards once per year to local graduating high school seniors. This year, the foundation is honored to announce nine recipients of the award.
Schools participating in the Neighbors Federal Credit Union Mascot Checking Program were invited to nominate one graduating senior to receive the award. Schools were asked to nominate students based on their character and commitment to living the “Neighbors Way.” Nominated students exemplified the credit union’s core values. These values include: integrity, respect, trust, stability, community Involvement, honesty, empathy, ethical behavior, and fairness.
Meet the Neighbors Way Tuition Assistance Award Recipients
Ashley Hanna ($5,000 Tuition Assistance Recipient)
- High School: Live Oak High School
- GPA: 4.2
- Extra-Curricular Activities:
- Future Business Leaders of America member
- Key Club member
- Member of high school dance team, and co-captain of team during senior year
- National Beta Club member
- College: Louisiana State University
- Major: Biology/Pre-Med
Lauren Meades ($3,000 Tuition Assistance Recipient)
- High School: Walker High School
- GPA: 3.9
- Extra-Curricular Activities:
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes member
- Member of high school cheerleading squad, and captain of team during senior year
- National Future Farmers of America member
- College: Southeastern Louisiana University
- Major: Nursing
Kelsey Gautier
- High School: Baker High School
- GPA: 4.06
- Extra-Curricular Activities:
- Foreign Language Club member
- Member of high school cheerleading squad, and co-captain of team during senior year
- National Beta Club member
- College: Southern University and A&M College
- Major: Apparel & Textile Merchandising; Chemistry (Double-major)
Cameron Hamby
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- High School: Denham Springs High School
- GPA: 4.31
- Extra-Curricular Activities:
- Member of high school Rotary-Interact Club
- Member of high school soccer team, and captain during senior year
- National Honor Society member
- College: Harvard University
- Major: Biology or Chemistry (Undecided)
Carrington Hall
- High School: Southern University Laboratory School
- GPA: 3.96
- Extra-Curricular Activities:
- Alpha Mu Tau member
- Member of high school basketball team
- Member of high school yearbook committee
- National Beta Club member
- College: Southern University A&M College
- Major: Criminal Justice/Pre-Law
Raven Alexander (Picture not available)
- High School: Central High School
- GPA: 3.44
- Extra-Curricular Activities:
- Member of high school basketball team and track team
- Mu Alpha Theta member
- Zeta Youth Affiliates member
- College: Louisiana State University or Southeastern Louisiana University (Undecided)
- Major: Undecided
Derrika Dorsey (Picture not available)
- High School: McKinley Senior High School
- GPA: 3.02
- Extra-Curricular Activities:
- Member of high school track and field team
- National Beta Club member
- College: Southern University and A&M College
- Major: Nursing
Xavier Roberson
- High School: Woodlawn High School
- GPA: 3.68
- Extra-Curricular Activities:
- Member of high school basketball team
- College: Philander Smith University
- Major: Biology; Nursing (Double-major)
Alyssa Williams
- High School: Port Allen High School
- GPA: 4.17
- Extra-Curricular Activities:
- Member of high school track team, volleyball team and basketball team, and captain during senior year
- National Beta Club member
- College: University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Major: Undecided
Funds for the program have been raised through two major avenues including Neighbors Federal Credit Union’s employee payroll donation program and the foundation’s annual fundraiser, Clays for a Cause. Neighbors employees have pledged to donate $14,549 of their personal paychecks in 2018. In March, the foundation held its 5th annual charity sporting clay tournament, Clays for a Cause. The event generated a total of $14,464 in net proceeds. These contributions will allow the foundation to grant up to $30,000 to high school students graduating in 2019.
“We cannot be more excited for this tremendous impact on the lives of local students,” Neighbors President and CEO Steve Webb said. “As the cost of higher education continues to rise, funds like these become increasingly important to provide an opportunity to students who might not have otherwise had the means to attend college.”
The Neighbors Capital Area Foundation was founded in 2011 as a way for Neighbors FCU to further invest in the communities it serves. Through the foundation, Neighbors has been able to contribute over $100,000 annually to various local charitable organizations.
To learn more about the Neighbors Capital Area Foundation or the Neighbors Way Tuition Assistance Award, please contact Kacie Bizot, kbizot@neighborsfcu.org.