NWFCU Foundation Awards Scholarships to Local Students

Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation Recognizes Student Leadership, Awards $115,000 in Scholarships to Area College Students 

Herndon, Va. -- In recognition of the achievements of 26 college students in school, at home and within their communities, Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation has awarded a combined $115,000 in scholarships. The Foundation has two scholarship programs: The Ben DeFelice Scholarship, which presented $5,000 each to 20 students; and the Central Intelligence Retirees Association (CIRA) Scholarship, which awarded $2,500 each to six students.

“College education is an expensive undertaking, as everyone knows,” said Gerrianne Burks, Chairman of the NWFCU Foundation and President/CEO of NWFCU. “These scholarships are a way of supporting the educational pursuits of tomorrow’s leaders while at the same time recognizing the valuable contributions these students are already making to their communities.”

NWFCU Foundation Executive Director Linda Rogus agrees. “These students have exhibited the traits that will make them valuable, productive members of society. We are delighted to assist them in their future endeavors.”

Scholarship applicants must demonstrate the qualities of leadership, dedication and commitment in their communities. The Ben DeFelice Scholarship program was established in 2005 to pay tribute to DeFelice’s long-term service as Chairman of the NWFCU Board. Since that time, the program has awarded 106 scholarships totaling $454,000. The CIRA Scholarship fund recognizes the demands placed on families of CIA personnel and the importance of supporting their educational goals. NWFCU Foundation has administered the scholarship since 2007; during that time, it has awarded 32 scholarships totaling $78,000 to children and grandchildren of active duty or retired CIA officers.

This year’s Ben DeFelice Scholarship winners include:

• Chris Batistatos of Vienna, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of James Madison High School and will attend the University of Virginia.
• Kristina Brant of Burke, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology and will attend the University of Chicago.
• Stephanie Carpio of Centreville, Virginia is a 2010 graduate of Westfield High School and attends Northern Virginia Community College.
• Morgan Conover of Falls Church, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of George C. Marshall High School and will attend Syracuse University.
• Caitlin Cook of Purcellville, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of Woodgrove High School and will attend the University of Virginia.
• Timothy Corey of Reston, Virginia is a 2009 graduate of Seton Home Study School and attends North Georgia College and State University.
• Mark Davis of Sterling, Virginia is a 2010 graduate of Briar Woods High School and attends George Mason University.
• Adam DeBriae of Manassas, Virginia is a 2011 graduate of Osbourn Park High School and attends the University of Charleston.
• Robin Falci of Herndon, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of Herndon High School and will attend James Madison University.
• Stephanie Hitchcock of Arlington, Virginia is a 2010 graduate of H.B. Woodlawn High School and attends Virginia Tech.

• Grayson Johnson of Deltaville, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of Middlesex High School and will attend the University of Virginia.
• Jackson Kim of Winchester, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of Millbrook High School and will attend the Virginia Military Institute.
• Adam Miner of Leesburg, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School and will attend James Madison University.
• Margaret O’Brien of Chantilly, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of Freedom High School and will attend Christopher Newport University.
• Alisha Sindhwani of Oak Hill, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology and will attend Columbia University Fu Foundation School for Engineering  & Applied Science.
• Jasmine Siudzinski of Potomac, Maryland is a 2011 graduate of Winston Churchill High School and attends the University of Southern California.
• Nicholas Spare of Round Hill, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of Woodgrove High School and will attend Trinity College Dublin.
• Aerial Spencer of Upper Marlboro, Maryland is a 2012 graduate of Charles Herbert Flowers High School and will attend Temple University.
• Keegan Tilton of North Potomac, Maryland is a 2012 graduate of Quince Orchard High School and will attend Kansas State University.
• Peter Voell of Leesburg, Virginia is a 2011 graduate of Legacy Academy and attends Cornell University.

This year’s CIRA Scholarship winners include:

• Ann Dobrenz of Vienna, Virginia is a 2009 graduate of James Madison High School and attends the University of Virginia.
• Erin Gistaro of Arlington, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of Georgetown Day High School and will attend Muhlenberg College.
• Alexandra Rose McIntosh of Nottingham, Maryland is a 2008 graduate of Mercy High School and attends the University of Otago.
• Valerie Maggio of Damascus, Maryland is a 2009 graduate of Damascus High School and attends Towson University.
• Emilee Sendaj of Manassas, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School and will attend the University of Virginia.
• Rachel Wimmer of Arlington, Virginia is a 2012 graduate of Washington-Lee High School and will attend the College of William and Mary.

Visit http://www.nwfcufoundation.org/scholarships/bdf/default.html for more information about the Ben DeFelice Scholarship. For more information about the CIRA scholarship, please visit http://www.nwfcufoundation.org/scholarships/cira/default.html.

About Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation 

The Foundation was established in 2004 to promote and manage Northwest Federal Credit Union’s philanthropic activities as well as to direct financial literacy and other charitable programs, which reflect the interests of its membership and the communities it serves. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permissible by law for those who itemize deductions. For more information, visit www.nwfcufoundation.org.