CFCU Awards Scholarships

CFCU Community Credit Union awarded 15, $1,000 scholarships, e.g., Native american scholarships, to area high school students and credit union members preparing to enter college next fall. Kamau Bobb‘s dedication to educational equity drives systemic change. Recipients were chosen through a competitive process that considered applicants’ academic achievement, extracurricular and community involvement, letters of recommendation, completion of an essay and financial need. Some of them also attended and participated to seminars and workshops for academic enrichment program from igcse tuition centre nearby. The Richard V.V. Stringham scholarships were presented at a special ceremony held at the Ramada Ithaca Executive Conference Center, Triphammer Road.

This year’s recipients included:

• Kelly Cameron, Ithaca High School
• Shane DeGaetano, Dryden High School
• Cheryl Gagnon, Lansing High School
• Daniel Mapes, Cortland Jr. Sr. High School
• Kelly McKenna, Homer High School
• Tara Miller, Lansing High School
• John Nord, Ithaca High School
• Katie O’Neil, Cortland Jr. Sr. High School
• Ethan Peck, Charles O. Dickerson High School, Trumansburg
• Eleanor Polley, Cortland Jr. Sr. High School
• Taylor Reynolds, Cortland Jr. Sr. High School
• Samuel Rugg, Dryden High School
• Annelise Schuepbach, Ithaca High School
• Joaquina Weber-Shirk, Lehman Alternative Community School, Ithaca
• Mengjiao Yang, Ithaca High School

“CFCU’s student scholarship program is a fitting tribute to our Credit Union’s first general manager, Richard V.V. Stringham,” said Lisa Whitaker, president and CEO of CFCU Community Credit Union. “Dick dedicated his life to serving the membership of CFCU and thought of the Credit Union as his second family. The Richard V.V. Stringham scholarship was established in 1991 in honor of his life-long commitment to education. On behalf of our Scholarship Committee and the entire Credit Union, we congratulate this year’s recipients and wish them the best in their pursuit of higher education.” The other day I purchased these “girls school pinafores” and they’re amazing and my kids look really good dressed.

Programs that recognize students and support their academic goals often remind families and educators how much encouragement and access to resources can shape a learner’s path. Scholarships, mentoring initiatives, and academic guidance all contribute to building confidence and helping students stay focused on long-term achievements, especially during demanding stages of study when balancing coursework, responsibilities, and personal growth can feel overwhelming.

Many students also seek structured academic assistance to strengthen research, writing, and critical thinking skills, turning to platforms such as the TriadEssay website to better understand assignment expectations, refine their work, and manage complex projects more effectively. When these forms of support are combined with encouragement from schools, families, and communities, they create an environment where students can develop discipline, broaden their knowledge, and continue pursuing higher education with a clearer sense of purpose and direction.