Local Students Win Palisades Federal Credit Union Scholarships

Palisades Federal Credit Union, the largest Rockland County based Credit Union, has named six winners of its annual George Hatala scholarship.

Scholarships were presented at the Credit Union’s annual meeting at the Comfort Inn in Nanuet. One of the six scholars also received a scholarship from the Rockland and Westchester Credit Union chapter.

Combined the seven awards brought the evening's total to $2,400 in scholarships. 

Palisades’ George Hatala scholarship was created to honor Hatala’s resilient efforts to improve the quality of life for everyone in Rockland County, especially the youth.

“We admire the dedication, achievement and contributions of these young, talented and ambitious students,” said Mark Welshoff, president and CEO of Palisades Federal Credit Union. “We wish them all the best with their college experience and beyond."

Eligible scholarship applicants were college-bound high school seniors who will be attending college for the first time in the fall of 2013 and are members of the Pearl River-based Credit Union. Scholars were selected because of their academic performance, extracurricular and community activities and a written essay based on the Credit Union industry’s philosophy, “People helping People.”

The winners are:

Matthew Owens            Don Bosco Preparatory High School

Daniel Gettler                  St. Joseph Regional High School

Michael Cappabianca     North Rockland High School

Matthew Katz                 Clarkstown South High School

Stephen Louis Valvo     Clarkstown North High School

Tina Savarese                Clarkstown South High School       

“There is no more important investment we can make than in our next generation of leaders," explained Anthony Pili, VP of Sales and Marketing at Palisades Federal Credit Union. "By supporting some of our brightest local high school students, we pay tribute to George and his vision."

Palisades Federal Credit Union, with more than $160 Million in assets, is the largest Rockland County-based Credit Union. The New York Credit Union operates four branches and provides full service banking products and surcharge-free access to over 50,000 ATMs nationwide.

Credit Union membership and Credit Union loans are open to anyone who lives, works, studies, or worships in Rockland County.