SANDY — Mountain America Credit Union, through the Mountain America Foundation, recently awarded 120 students in six states $2,500 Elevate Scholarships totaling $300,000.
According to a recent press release, the scholarships were awarded to students from 79 high schools across the credit union’s multi-state footprint with the aim to support academic dreams by providing greater access to higher education.
In the south-central portion of Utah, the credit union awarded scholarships to Sarah Jane Hill from Gunnison, Brylee Brown from Loa, Beth Robinson from Monroe, and Sarah Steed from Koosharem.
St. George saw the most Southern Utah students awarded scholarships, according to the Elevate Scholarships website, with Grace Christensen, Carsen Cooper, Jaxson Jones, Anna McArthur and Dinyu Wang each receiving honors.
Parowan saw three students earn the achievement, Avery Evans, Deanna Gale and Cale Renzello. Cedar City students Ava Kramer and Hadley Persons also earned recognition, alongside Washington City’s Kaleb Dolberg and Kambria Uluave.
Other students from Southern Utah earning scholarships included Robert Vega from Hurricane, Nadia Griffin from Escalante, and Rebekah Rogers from Kanab.
“Education plays a pivotal role in preparing people for a successful future. We applaud these students and their continued pursuit of higher education,” Mountain America Credit Union President Sterling Nielsen said in the press release. “We commit daily to making a positive impact on our members’ lives and in our communities. This exemplifies one of the ways we support youth and their families to achieve their academic dreams.”
The Elevate Scholarship program is part of the Mountain America Foundation, which, according to the press release, was created to strengthen the credit union’s humanitarian-driven commitment to serving the communities of Utah, Montana, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho and New Mexico.
The foundation’s focus includes education, health and overall well-being. In the second year of the Elevate Scholarship program, Mountain America received more than 400 applications.
Applicants are pursuing academic excellence in a wide variety of careers, including mechanical engineering, elementary education, nursing, marine transportation and psychology.
The criteria used to assess candidates include factors such as academic records, core values, involvement in the community, leadership efforts and letters of recommendation.
“We understand the crucial role education plays in the lives of our youth and recognize the financial pressure our students and their families may feel,” said Suzanne Oliver, executive director of the foundation. “We take pride in backing these great students and hope their scholarships provide them more opportunities to access higher education and a bright future.”
For more information about the Elevate Scholarship Program, click here.
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