3 Seniors Awarded $1,000 Scholarships

Seniors from three Fox Cities high schools who are members of area credit unions have been awarded $1,000 scholarships sponsored by the Greater Fox Cities Chapter of Credit Unions.

One recipient, Hannah Henry of Neenah, has been a Community First member since 2017 and will graduate this month from Neenah High School. Henry along with two other local credit union member scholarship winners were honored April 21 at the chapter’s monthly meeting.

Community First is among 14 regional credit unions that co-sponsor the scholarships offered to members annually by the chapter, which promotes the credit union difference through advocacy, education and public service.

Scholarship recipients are selected by a chapter Scholarship Award committee based on essays submitted regarding their community involvement and financial challenges they faced.

“At Community First, we find great value and believe deeply in supporting youth in our communities and these scholarships are one way where we can give back,” said Angela Skrobutanas, Community First VP Product Marketing, (at left with recipient Hannah Henry) who presented the scholarships. “We were thrilled to have almost 90 outstanding scholarship applications this year, making it a challenge for the committee to narrow it down. Congratulations to the recipients as well as all of the applicants on their upcoming graduations and best wishes on their future endeavors.”

Sharing her Gifts

Henry’s wide variety of volunteer roles in her church, at school and in the community are an impressive testament to her selfless nature and willingness to share her time and talents in service of others.

The 18-year-old Neenah High School senior Henry has devoted countless hours and energy to help others. She is grateful for how each of those experiences have shaped her journey to becoming a young adult. “Throughout my life, I have been dedicated towards helping other people with my own gifts. In return, I grow as a person through the experiences and the relationships that I have made along the way.”

Through her church, she participated in two foreign mission trips last year, including helping renovate a school and clinic in Guatemala while also assisting in providing dental care for children. Her other church volunteerism involves handling audio/visual duties during weekly services, planning/leading church mission fundraisers, assisting with its Community Food Table outreach and serving as a Vacation Bible School and Sunday School leader.

At Neenah High School, Henry serves as secretary of Helping Hunger (which raises funds and collects donations for a food pantry serving low-income families) and as a LAUNCH Leader (planning 45-minute weekly lessons she helps teach to first-semester freshmen, connecting them with opportunities/easing their transition into high school).

As a four-year member of the Neenah girls’ varsity soccer team, she organized and led pre-season lifting programs and practices, facilitated team bonding events and, as an upper classman, assisted younger team members through a Big Sisters Little Sisters program.

A National Honor Society member, she is involved in Reach for the Stars, an initiative that helps support an inclusive environment in school, assisting special needs students in building connections and feeling a sense of belonging. Finally, she is a member of the Health Careers Academy in cooperation with local healthcare providers, encouraging volunteer opportunities, engaging with healthcare professionals through job shadowing and assisting students with finding entry level jobs in healthcare.

This fall, Henry plans to study Biochemistry and Hispanic Studies at Illinois Wesleyan University. While she chases her educational dreams along her pre-med career path, she intends to keep pursuing her heart for volunteerism and making a difference.

Henry added, “I will continue to live a life that is dedicated towards empowering the livelihood of those around me.”