The SPIRE Scholarship Committee awarded scholarships to two Minnesota students. Annika Olson from Woodbury High School and Linnea Kronzer from Minnetonka High School will each receive a $500 scholarship. Noteworthy activities and achievements, along with the completion of a well-written essay, were factors in the winner selection process.
Woodbury High School student, Annika Olson (pictured above with SPIRE Woodbury Branch Manager and Assistant Branch Manager), plans to attend Colorado Christian University this fall. Annika’s application outlined a well-rounded commitment to community by volunteering for organizations such as Trout Lake Camp’s Discipleship Team and Eagle Brook Church’s Key Club program. She was also chosen for the National Honors Society, chairing the planning committee for their largest annual charity fundraiser. An accomplished saxophone and clarinet player, Annika has played in concert band, small group band ensembles and the pit orchestra. She was also involved with state and national speech competitions.
In answering the question How has SPIRE improved the well-being of my family? Annika said that, after years of accumulating money from various jobs, “The first financial institution I tried was SPIRE. I had such a wonderful experience that there was no need to find another. I was immediately greeted by kind employees who genuinely cared about me. Having my own accounts has taught me financial responsibility. SPIRE has given my family peace, but most importantly, SPIRE has given me the opportunity to save for my future.”
Minnetonka High School’s Linnea Kronzer (pictured above with SPIRE Eden Prairie Branch Manager), plans to attend University of Wisconsin-Madison this fall. Linnea’s high school career highlights include Presidential Serve Award Recipient (Gold); National Arts Honors Society member; student theater and stage crew; marching and pep band; and varsity letters in academics, theater and band.
In answering the question, How has SPIRE improved the well-being of my family?,Linnea said, “The best thing SPIRE has done for my family is give us loans with really good interest rates when we needed to renovate our house last year. SPIRE has improved the well-being of my family in a myriad of ways, and because of this, I have seen the importance and benefit of using a local credit union. I definitely feel like SPIRE has my family’s best interests at the heart of their business.”
Since its inception, the SPIRE Scholarship Program has awarded 76 scholarships for a total of $40,000 to credit union members. “We are so honored to give youth an opportunity to further their education and chase their dreams,” says Dan Stoltz, SPIRE President/CEO, “The scholarship program truly embraces the SPIRE philosophy of improving lives and giving back to community.”