Fort Worth, Texas
— Unity One Credit Union is pleased to name Jenna Hunt, graduating senior of Forest Lake Senior High School, as the 2016 Bob Bennett Memorial Scholarship recipient. Jenna’s award-winning essay entry detailed the difference between credit unions and alternative financial service companies such as Bitcoin and Prosper.
Hunt says of credit unions, “As a third generation credit union member, I have seen how my parents and grandparents use the credit union for their personal banking and small business needs. They have commented on the better checking account services, like free check withdrawals, five dollar minimum balance on savings accounts and electronic transactions free of charge. These services will be beneficial for me as I enter college, manage my own money and apply for loans.”
She will receive $1,000 to aid with her college expenses at the University of Minnesota where she plans to major in Physical Therapy, with a long-term goal of obtaining her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Hunt is a very active member of the Forest Lake Senior High School student body, serving as the captain of the Girls Cross Country team, chair of several Student Council committees, as well as qualifying for the Dean’s List during her tenure.In addition to her academic achievements, Hunt is also an accomplished pianist winning multiple local and state honors.
Rachel Gillis, senior, and Rylee Valdez, freshman, both students at Texas Woman’s University, were named runners-up and will each receive a $250 book scholarship.
To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates had to be graduating high school seniors or college students attending a two-year or four-year college or vocational/technical school. They needed to have maintained at least a 2.8 grade point average (on a four-point scale) and be a member of Unity One Credit Union.
The Bob Bennett Memorial Scholarship is a tribute to the life of Robert Bennett, a tireless champion of the credit union movement. He joined Unity One CU in 1954 and served on the Board of Directors until 2002. An advocate of growth and change, Bennett served through five name changes and three mergers. He passed away in December 2002.
About Unity One Credit Union
Established in 1927, Unity One Credit Union is the oldest credit union in Texas. A member-driven and not-for-profit cooperative, Unity One CU served the employees and families of the BNSF Railway for 70 years. However, after transferring its corporate headquarters to Fort Worth in 1998, the credit union expanded its field of membership to include other non-railroad companies, organizations and individuals.
Today, anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Fort Worth, Blue Mound, Saginaw, Haslet, Keller, Colleyville, Bedford, North Richland Hills, Southlake, St. Paul, MN and Kansas City, KS may apply for membership. Unity One CU has seven branches to serve over 30,000 members nationwide. For more information about Unity One Credit Union, visit
www.unityone.org
. Think outside the bank.™
