LAWRENCE, MASS. — Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) awarded $9,000 in college scholarships at its Scholarship Presentation night on May 3. Six graduating seniors each received a $1,500 award in front of their family, friends, and MVCU employees at the credit union’s headquarters in Lawrence.
“We are honored to be able to recognize these deserving students,” said Peter Matthews, MVCU’s President and CEO. “These young adults have worked hard to achieve their goal of attending college, and it is our privilege to relieve even a small part of their financial burden.”
Nearly 200 applications were received from students graduating from a high school located in the Merrimack Valley. Each applicant submitted their high school transcript, a list of extracurricular activities, and a brief essay about a challenge that they have overcome. The recipients were selected from among their peers, not only for their dedication to their education, but also their commitment to their schools and communities.
Trisha Ballakur, a graduating senior at Andover High School. She will be pursuing a degree in computer science at Brown University in the fall.
Thomas Bolduc, who will continue his education at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. The Methuen High School graduating senior is enrolled in the Commonwealth Honors College, where he’ll major in biology on the pre-med track.
Megan Foley, a graduating senior at Newburyport High School. She will be attending Michigan State University in the fall, where she is enrolled in the pre-nursing program.
Jessica Francis, who is pursuing a degree in nursing at the University of Massachusetts in the fall. She is a graduating senior at Central Catholic High School.
Ariana LoFaro, who is graduating from Pinkerton Academy. She will be attending Saint Anselm College in the fall, where she’ll be studying biology.
Emily Toala, who will be studying chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Emily is graduating from Lawrence High School.
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