Carlsbad Student Wins 'Badge Of Honor' Scholarship

CARLSBAD, CA — Wheelhouse Credit Union has awarded eight "Badge of Honor" scholarships to college-bound students — including a Carlsbad student — to honor San Diego County's first responders and their families during the coronavirus pandemic.

The credit union, formerly San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union, awarded $1,000 scholarships to rising college freshmen with a parent, grandparent or legal guardian who serves in health care, emergency medical services, fire protection service or law enforcement.

"We want to congratulate all of the recipients for their hard work and outstanding efforts as they prepared for college, finishing their high school education during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Lisa Paul-Hill, president and CEO of Wheelhouse Credit Union. "It was especially touching to read the tributes they wrote about their first-responder parents who clearly made an impact on their lives."

Beyond having a first responder parent, grandparent or legal guardian, all recipients recently graduated from high schools in the county with plans to attend an accredited college. Award criteria included academic achievement, letters of recommendation, an essay about the first responder in their family, and a desire to make an impact on their schools and communities, according to Wheelhouse Credit Union.

"Not only are these first responders heroes to all of us, they are also a source of inspiration to their families," Paul-Hill said. "We know the incredible sacrifices these individuals and their families are making to help protect our communities, and are proud to honor them. We know each of our scholarship recipients has an exciting college career ahead, and wish them the very best of luck."

The Badge of Honor scholarships are in addition to the credit union's annual College Scholarship Program, which was created in 2005 to support high school seniors in the county. Since the creation of these programs, Wheelhouse Credit Union has awarded $86,000 in scholarships to local students.

The Wheelhouse Badge of Honor Scholarship recipients include:

• Nathan Austin: Ramona High School, Ramona
• Family First Responder: ICU Staff Nurse & MRI Technologist
• Lainey Bowler: West Hills High School, Santee
• Family First Responder: Director of Surgical Services
• Chiara Curnow: Fallbrook High School, Fallbrook
  • Family First Responder: Flight Nurse
• Madalyn Garnica: Bonita Vista High School, Chula Vista
  • Family First Responder: Fire Dispatcher
• Danielle McCauley: Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad
  • Family First Responder: School Nurse
• Ethan Rosado: Liberty Charter High School, Lemon Grove
  • Family First Responder: Law Enforcement
• Trevor Wahl: Cathedral Catholic High School, San Diego
  • Family First Responder: Law Enforcement
• Christina Wooden: Canyon Crest Academy, San Diego
• Family First Responder: Nurse Practitioner