COLUMBUS, IN (May 16, 2013) Centra Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its first scholarships and educator awards! As a new charitable organization, Centra Foundation has taken over administration of the Loretta M. Burd Scholarship and Award Program previously handled by Centra Credit Union.
This year’s student winners of $1000 scholarships are Chelsea Wieland, Columbus North High School, Columbus, IN and David M. Navarra, Greensburg Community High School, Greensburg, IN.
Chelsea Wieland, daughter of Todd and Tina Wieland, has been active in National Honors Society, Student Assembly, varsity gymnastics, varsity track & field, Spanish Club, Purdue Entrepreneurship Camp, and Community Church of Columbus. She was named to the Academic All-State Track & Field; Bulldog Award for gymnastics, state qualifier for pole vault, and The Republic’s All-Area Track & Field and All-Area Gymnastics.
Chelsea plans to attend the University of Indianapolis in Pre-Physical Therapy, majoring in Exercise Science. She hopes to be admitted into the highly competitive doctorate program in Physical Therapy.
In her acceptance Chelsea said, “I am very appreciative and excited to receive this award considering the amount of money that will be invested in my college education. This scholarship will bring me a step closer to covering my college expenses minimizing student loans in the end…I look forward to using the scholarship to pursue my dream of helping other student athletes rehab sports injuries as physical therapists have helped me!”
David Navarra, son of Gregory and Deborah Navarra, is an Eagle Scout and is Senior Class President as well as being President of the National Honor Society for two years. Other activities include Student Council, SADD Club, Jr. Optimist Club, Jr. High Boys Mentor, People to People Student Ambassador, St. Mary’s Youth Choir and St. Mary’s Youth Council. David was also first runner up for Governor at Hoosier Boys State. Sports include football, swimming and track.
David plans to major in either electrical or mechanical engineering at Purdue University. After graduation he hopes to work for a company that is developing new innovations and technology to better suit the world.
In accepting the award David said, “You have lightened my financial burden and I thank you for that. Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help people …especially students who aspire to reach their goals just as you have helped me to reach mine.”
Receiving this year’s Financial Literacy Educator Awards are Jeff Farmer, a K- 5 Physical Education and Life Skills teacher at Wilson Elementary School in Jeffersonville IN; and Michelle Russell, a 7 – 12 Special Education teacher at North Decatur High School in Greensburg IN. They each have received an engraved crystal obelisk and their schools have received $1,000 grants for the award recipients’ use in their classrooms.
Mr. Farmer established a student bank within his school. He works with the students to help them understand the banking process and proper money management. Ms. Russell teaches critical life skills related to financial literacy. Her lessons are designed to help students make good financial choices.
In addition, Centra Foundation presented a $1,000 grant to the Indiana University Foundation in support of the 2013 Centra Foundation Outstanding Student in Finance Award. This year’s award went to IUPUC student Randy Pangburn. Upon accepting this award Randy stated, “Columbus offers a unique atmosphere that is welcoming to outsiders and encourages the development of young professionals. I am excited to begin my career here and look forward to working with local community leaders.”
Centra Foundation hopes to expand the awards available through the Loretta M. Burd Scholarship and Award Fund in the years to come. Centra Credit Union is offering a dollar for dollar match for contributions to this fund. Donations may be sent to Centra Foundation, PO Box 789, Columbus IN 47202 or brought to any Centra Credit Union branch. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. For further information please go to the “community” dropdown menu at www.centra.org.