Charter Oak Awards Over $90,000 in College Scholarships

Waterford, CT – Charter Oak Federal Credit Union held its annual scholarship reception on June 6th where its President and Chief Executive Officer, Brian A. Orenstein, presented 45 college scholarships totaling $90,000.

During the reception, 45 community minded students were recognized for their academic achievements as well as creativity in answering this year’s essay question, “You were just gifted $50,000, but you can’t spend a dime on yourself. In 500 words or less, tell us how you would spend the money.”

For the third year in a row, the credit union committed to awarding 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. Charter Oak’s scholarship program is unique when compared to other scholarship programs offered within the region, offering students more favorable opportunities at winning a $2,000 scholarship. Additional scholarship opportunities were also offered to college students. 

The credit union received more than 250 scholarship applications, including applicants from 26 of the 34 qualified high schools within New London and Windham counties.

This year’s high school student award winners include: Christopher Gatesman, Bacon Academy; Madeline Foerster, East Lyme High School; Theresse Weigand-Watkinson, EASTCONN Arts Magnet High School; Elon Jones, Edwin O. Smith High School; Nehemiah Robinson, Ella T. Grasso Technical High School; Erica Dinneen, Griswold High School; Nicolas Cummings, H.H. Ellis Technical High School; Lynzee Ritchie, Killingly High School; Stephen Wetherell, Killingly High School; Rachel Kane, Ledyard High School; Leslie Hisman, Lyman Memorial High School; Wyatt Sabilia, Marine Science Magnet High School; Amanda Liang, Montville High School; Annali Nelson, Montville High School; Ethan Rose, Montville High School; Nicholas Sylvestre, Norwich Free Academy; Jessica Bryan, Norwich Free Academy; Caitlyn Angeletti, Norwich Free Academy; Cody Kersteter, Norwich Technical High School; Hannah St. Onge, Plainfield High School; Morgan Foucault, Putnam High School; Paul Panciera, Robert E. Fitch High School; Holly Conlon, Robert E. Fitch High School; Lily Johnson, Robert E. Fitch High School; Mia Londregan, Saint Bernard High School; Sophia Murphy, Science & Technology Magnet School of Southeastern CT; Blake Edwards, Stonington High School; Hannah Pratt, Stonington High School; Faith Williams, The Williams School; Samantha Sheldon, The Woodstock Academy; Eden Law, The Woodstock Academy; Carolyn Keatley, Waterford High School; Ana Magano, Waterford High School; Cody Johnson, Wheeler High School; Colin LeSage, Pomfret School; and Amanda Hester, Montville High School.

College award winners include: Lauren Bauer, Royal Veterinary College; Kahlil Ramcharit, University of Connecticut - Avery Point; Angelina Frascarelli, University of Phoenix; Morgan Smith, Bay Path University; Dylan Radovich, Mitchell College; Christina Cruz, Connecticut College; Alexander Salas, Massachusetts Maritime Academy; Erin Kieltyka, St. John's University; and Danielle Duquette, University of Connecticut.

In addition to Charter Oak’s $90,000 scholarship giveaway, its employees awarded two separate scholarships through the employee-funded Community Outreach Program. Nathan Cherenzia, student at Norwich Free Academy, was awarded the $2,000 Community Outreach Memorial Scholarship; and Cindy Fan, a student at Robert E. Fitch High School, was awarded the $2,000 Louise Jackson Community Outreach Scholarship.

Charter Oak has awarded more than $2.1 million to eastern Connecticut communities through its Community Giving Program by way of college scholarships, grants, and sponsorships. Charter Oak will relaunch its scholarship program in January 2019.

Charter Oak is eastern Connecticut’s largest credit union with assets of $1.08 billion as of March 31, 2018. Charter Oak has an expansive and convenient network of 16 branches serving New London and Windham counties, providing one of the largest and most convenient branch networks of any financial institution serving eastern Connecticut. For more information about Charter Oak’s broad range of products and services, please visit any of our convenient branches, or visit our website at CharterOak.org, or contact our Call Center at 860.446.8085 or 800.962.3237. 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!