Credit Union Gives 2 Dearborn Students $1,000 Scholarships

Two Dearborn high school students were among 51 chosen to receive a scholarship from the Michigan First Credit Union, President and CEO Michael Poulos announced this month.

Falah Alsakkaf of and Reem Meheidli of were among the students chosen to receive a $1,000 scholarship from the credit union.

The Michigan First Credit Union–through its  Michigan First Foundation–has awarded $51,000 worth of scholarships to deserving high school students in metro Detroit.

This is the 11th year for the scholarship awards, which give $1,000 to graduating high school seniors who are Michigan First members and attend the high schools within the communities the credit union serves. Chosen by their school counselors, students are selected based on academic achievement, community involvement, extra-curricular activities, leadership, special talents and civic/social responsibility.

The program has given more than $600,000 to local students since its inception.

“It’s always an honor to award these scholarships to some of the best and brightest students in metro Detroit,” Poulos said in a statement. "We are committed to ongoing education and giving students the tools to succeed.”

The credit union also operates 27 student-run union branches at local schools, and host a Young & Free Michigan program, which helps young adults get started with banking and smart financing.

The following graduating high school seniors each received a $1,000 scholarship:

• Allen Park High – Ashley Prusakiewicz
• Bloomfield Hills Andover – Elena Steinhaus
• Breithaupt CTC – Devante Billups
• Cass Technical High  – Teya Tarver-Smith
• Center Line High – Kaitlyn Richard
• Central Collegiate Academy  – Jasmine Thomas
• Chandler Park Academy High – Tiffani Braswell
• Chippewa Valley High – Caitlin Hogan
• Cody High – Porscha Taylor
• Communication & Media Arts – Armonio Howard
• Crockett Career Technical School – Sommer Caudle
• Crockett Career Technical School – Denaishia Neff
• Davis Aerospace Technical – Donte Newton
• Detroit City – Elayne Vaughn
• Detroit International Academy – Davida Lowe
• Detroit School of Arts – Stephanie Onwenu
• East Detroit – Da’Nay Lacey
• Edsel Ford – Falah Alsakkaf
• Edwin Denby Tech – Daivon Taylor
• Fordson High – Reem Meheidli
• Frasier High – Gabriella Avila
• Frederick Douglass Academy – Daivon Reeder
• Hazel Park High – Veronica Stachurski
• Henry Ford High – Kiera Smith
• International Academy of Macomb – Zachary Speck
• John Pershing High – Shanee Clark
• Kettering High – Ebonie Williams
• Lake Shore – Alex Lettner
• M. L. King Jr. Sr. H.S. – Moncine Kindle
• Madison High – Rodney Spikener, Jr.
• Melvindale High – Simina Gabor
• Mumford High – Kawana Sanders-Smith
• North Farmington High – Brandon Grant
• Northwestern High – James Crossley-Jackson
• Novi High – Nia Gamble
• Oakland Schools Technical Campus – Olivia Williams
• Osborn High -Yasmine Johnston
• Renaissance High – Lisa Thomas
• South Lake High – Headley Williams
• Southeastern High – Ashlee Bell
• Southfield High – Antonio Echols
• Southfield-Lathrup – Ronnae Ravenell
• Southwestern High – Montrel Hill
• Stevenson High – Erica Wysocki
• Troy High – Dane Nowosatko
• Troy Athens – Daphne Chou
• University High – Victoria Larsen
• University Preparatory Academy – Kevin Pope II
• Warren Mott High – Paul Ross
• Warren Woods Tower High – Michael Higgins
• Western International High – Lucero Toral

About Michigan First Credit Union

Founded in 1926 by a small group of Detroit teachers, Lathrup Village-­?based Michigan First Credit Union (MichiganFirst.com) has grown into a $620 million financial institution serving more than 86,000 individuals and local businesses in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. An industry leader in consumer?focused technology and dedicated customer service, the credit union is also significant supporter of local financial education and community organizations through the Michigan First Foundation, which donates $100,000 to more than 75 local nonprofits each year. For the latest news, and events, Follow Michigan First on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/MichiganFirstCU or “Like” Michigan First on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/MichiganFirstCreditUnion.