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CHARTER OAK AWARDS $90,000 IN 2020 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS 45 Students in Eastern Connecticut Each Receive $2,000 Annual Scholarship FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anthony Cronin AVP-Director of Marketing 860.446.3254 acronin@cofcu.com Waterford, CT – May 13, 2020 – Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has awarded $90,000 in 2020 scholarships to 45 high school and college students in New London and Windham counties in recognition of their outstanding academic and community achievements. “Once again, our selection committee was greatly impressed by the significant achievements of these students, from their strong academic results to the countless hours they spent helping their local communities,” said Brian A. Orenstein, Charter Oak’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This year's selection process was especially competitive with nearly 200 applications from very well qualified students,” he said. Since 2015 when Charter Oak first expanded its annual scholarship program, the credit union has proudly awarded $528,000 in scholarships to 264 students in eastern Connecticut. Students who are members of Charter Oak compete for the annual scholarships by submitting a brief essay and highlighting their academic, athletic, and community accomplishments. As part of Charter Oak’s community commitment to its members, the credit union has pledged to award one $2,000 college scholarship to one college-bound senior at each high school within New London and Windham counties with an attendance of at least 100 students. Additional scholarships, when available, are given to students already enrolled in college. Recipients of Charter Oak’s scholarships excel academically but also take an active role in supporting local community initiatives. This year’s high school student award winners (sorted by school) are: Nicholas Sedor, Bacon Academy; Andrew Gatesman, Bacon Academy; Sophia Rogers, East Lyme High School; Gabrielle Villa, East Lyme High School; Ana Julia Da Silva, Ella T. Grasso Technical High School; Hannah Bagley, Ella T. Grasso Technical High School; Kyla Atwood, H.H. Ellis Technical High School; Lauren Hyatt, Killingly High School; Brianna Hogan, Killingly High School; Cassandra Wells, Lyman Memorial High School; Elizabeth Cravinho, Lyme-Old Lyme High School; Elena Spangle, Marianapolis Preparatory School; Stephanie Weber, Marine Science Magnet High School; Evan Spalding, Marine Science Magnet High School; Sydney Winakor, Montville High School; Luisanny Castillo, New London High School; Mackenzie Maher, Norwich Free Academy; Samantha Tracey, Norwich Free Academy; Jackie Chen, Norwich Free Academy; Zeb Carty, Norwich Free Academy; Shaun McGuire, Norwich Free Academy; Chelsey English, Plainfield High School; Justin St. Martin, Putnam High School; Kyle Mashia-Thaxton, Robert E. Fitch High School; Sakshee Patel, Robert E. Fitch High School; Elizabeth Teskey, Robert E. Fitch High School; and Diana Sefransky, Robert E. Fitch High School. Also, Liam Power, Saint Bernard High School; Brigid Kunka, Saint Bernard High School; Carly Potts, Saint Bernard High School; Kiera Burlingame McCord, Science & Technology Magnet School of Southeastern CT; Cassandra Cannon, Science & Technology Magnet School of Southeastern CT; Benjamin Fyke, Stonington High School; Jake Verbridge, Stonington High School; Nathan Craig, The Woodstock Academy; Grayson Walley, The Woodstock Academy; Anna Schleck, Waterford High School; Ashley Metivier, Waterford High School; Dylan Davino, Wheeler High School; Elizabeth Conger, Fishers Island Public School; and Katherine Henderson, Old Saybrook Senior High School. Additional scholarship recipients who are currently attending college are: Holly Noe, Goodwin University; Jessica Coggeshall, Three Rivers Community College; Daniel Gaiewski, Franklin and Marshall College; and Daniel Marcolina, University of Connecticut. In addition to Charter Oak’s $90,000 annual scholarship awards, employees awarded two separate scholarships through their employee-funded Community Outreach Program. Jeffrey Andruskiewicz, a student at Norwich Free Academy, was awarded the $2,000 Community Outreach Memorial Scholarship and Jada Fuentes, a student at Lyme-Old Lyme High School, was awarded the $2,000 Louise Jackson Community Outreach Scholarship. Charter Oak awards scholarships on an annual basis and will begin accepting applications again in January 2021. Information will be available at that time on the credit union’s website at www.CharterOak.org. Charter Oak is eastern Connecticut’s largest credit union with assets of nearly $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2019. Charter Oak has an expansive and convenient branch network serving all of New London and Windham counties. For additional information about Charter Oak’s products and services please visit CharterOak.org. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. Charter Oak Federal Credit Union is like a bank, just better! We’ve been proudly serving eastern Connecticut since 1939 and we offer great checking, deposit, lending, insurance and investment products. And because we’re a credit union, we’re owned by our members, not by shareholders. So we can offer lower rates on loans and higher rates on deposits. It’s easy to become a Charter Oak member: simply live, work, worship, learn, or volunteer in New London or Windham counties. So join today and see why Members Bank Better at Charter Oak!