America’s First Federal Credit Union (AmFirst) — alongside partner WBRC Fox 6 — today announced the winners of its 11th Annual Rising Star scholarship program.
Seniors Townley Cornelius from Cullman High Schoo, Isabel Elkus from Mountain Brook High School, Abigail Heuton from Montevallo High School, Tavaria Johnson from Childersburg High School and Marques McKinney from Clay-Chalkville High School each received a $5,000 scholarship to go toward a college or university of their choice.
These five seniors were selected out of 30 area students honored from Sept. 5 2019 through April 16 as part of AmFirst’s Rising Star program. Since 2009, AmFirst has awarded $139,000 to local students.
“We are thrilled to again support young men and women making a difference in their communities and look forward to seeing all that they achieve in years to come,” said Bill Connor, president and CEO of AmFirst.
Central Alabama students are first nominated by their high school counselors, principals, teachers or coaches — with one student selected as a Rising Star each week for 30 weeks. All 30 student finalists then participate in panel interviews judged on professionalism, vision, community involvement and overall impression. The top five combined scores indicate the students who will receive the available $5,000 scholarships.
This was the fifth-year of the Rising Star program alignment between AmFirst nd WBRC Fox 6. In past years, all 30 Rising Star students have participated in panel interviews onsite at WBRC Fox6 — however, due to COVID-19, many students had to film interviews at home and submit to the station for outside panel judging.
“WBRC is a fantastic partner, and we thank them for their ongoing collaboration to make our selections happen, despite any previously unforseen barriers caused by COVID-19,” said Connor. “We congratulate all of our Rising Strs and wish them long, happy and successful professional futures.”
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