Brentwood Home Page news reports
Cornerstone Financial Credit Union announced the winners of scholarships from its $25,000 annual scholarship fund to support college-bound students in Middle Tennessee, including Alice Lee and Scotty Wild from Brentwood High School.

This is the inaugural year for the program that will rotate from year to year among schools in Cornerstone’s coverage area, which includes Nashville, Clarksville, Dickson, Franklin, Hendersonville and Murfreesboro. 

Also selected were Faith Marshall and Kelly Kimbro from Centennial, Connor Davis and Eleanor Sargent from Franklin, and Justin Dolzen and Frederick Kundert from Page. 

Students were selected for scholarships based on financial need and academic achievement.

 “We were founded in 1955 as Educator’s Credit Union, and education continues to be a fundamental part of our brand," said Hank Flury, Cornerstone’s CEO.

"Finding ways to ensure that financial literacy starts early is really important to us. That’s why, in addition to the typical scholarship application information, we asked students to comment on what they’ll do while in college to ensure they start off on the right foot financially when they graduate.  Even though this information wasn’t included in the selection criteria, we received some really insightful feedback from the applicants.”

Centennial's Faith Marshall, who has had a job for two years and plans to continue part time in college, starts her essay on financial responsibility by saying, “My Grandpa Marshall always said, 'Pay yourself first.'  This simple advice started me off on the right track while still in high school. He was a saver; my father is a saver, and I am too. I will continue this practice while attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.” 

Justin Dolzen of Page High School talks in his essay about the importance of setting yourself apart so that you are able to get a good job after college. He says, “A big mistake that many college graduates make is assuming that because they have a degree, it will be easy to find a job.” He closes his essay with this thought, “That’s why I think the most important thing to do in college is to get yourself out there in your career field, so you can get a good job and be financially sound, which is why we go to college, isn’t it?”

Connor Davis of Franklin High School closes his essay by saying, “I believe hard work is the most important thing I can do in college to ensure I do not have a tremendous amount of debt upon graduation. I am doing a work-study program while at UVA to offset some of the tuition costs. I will also try to maintain high grades to be eligible for scholarships. Where there is a will there is a way.”

The entire list of winners, along with advice on financial responsibility from a number of the scholarship winners, can be found at BankWithCornerstone.org/scholarships.   Information about schools to be included in next year’s program and when students can apply for 2012 scholarships will also be posted on the site as the information becomes available.