San Luis Valley Federal Bank announces scholarship recipients (10-01-07)
Toney Cantu, Morey Simpson, Patrick Ortiz, Elesha Goad, Lindy Norton, Kelsey Chair, Michelle Mansanares, Phil Ortega, Marie Casias, and Duane Bussey.
The San Luis Valley Federal Bank awarded scholarships to Adams State College students for the 2007/2008 academic year. SLV Federal Bank has awarded scholarships to Adams State students for nearly 30 years. Ten $500 scholarships are awarded each year and are renewable for three additional years. To be eligible, the parents, grandparents or student must have an account at the bank, the student must be an incoming freshman or transfer student, and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or above.
This year's recipients are Xochitl Aguilera, Maria Casias, Kelsey Clair, Janel Dunn, Elesha Goad, Timothy Grandell, Morgan Harmsen-Garcia, Joshua Hendricks, Michelle Mansanares, Michaela Muniz, Lindy Norton, Phillip Ortega, Patrick Ortiz, Jared Romero, Mallori Shortridge, and Morey Simpson.
Incoming freshman, Ortiz, has a job on campus and with Agro-Engineering. He said: "The scholarship means less out-of-pocket expense."
Casias, a junior, is majoring in accounting has received the scholarship since starting Adams State two years ago. "The scholarship is a lot of help," she said. "I hope someday to contribute to a student's success when I am in the professional world."
The bank currently has ten full-time employees who are Adams State grads and one part-time person who is a current student. Also, four members of the Board of Directors are alumni.
Duane Bussey, a 1982 Adams State graduate, president of San Luis Valley Federal Bank said the bank's board of directors believes an investment in education at Adams State is a great investment in the local community. "The individual students that receive the scholarships and graduate have more opportunities in life and typically are more successful financially," he said. "The scholarship also allows these students the opportunity to stay here and receive an affordable quality education at Adams State rather than going outside the Valley."
Senior Vice President of SLV Federal Bank Toney Cantu, a 1970 Adams State graduate, said the scholarships benefit the customers of the bank. "The bank is very pleased in helping the students of our customers with a scholarship to ASC," Cantu said. "We encourage families of the San Luis Valley to open an account with the bank allowing their children to participate in the banks scholarships."
By Linda Relyea
