Rich Helber, president/CEO of Tropical Financial Credit Union with scholarship recipients. Not pictured is JP Taravella graduate Amber Brocki.

 By: Sharon Aron Baron

Local students, including two from JP Taravella in Coral Springs, have just been awarded college scholarships from Tropical Financial Credit Union.

A not-for-profit financial institution, Tropical Financial Credit Union awarded ten scholarships, at $1,000 each, to local students who are already in college – or set to start this fall.

“Being an active part of the community is very important here at Tropical Financial,” said Rich Helber, president and CEO of Tropical Financial Credit Union. “These students have such a bright future and we are proud to be able to grant these scholarships. It feels good knowing this money is helping them pay for college and reach financial independence.”

 This is the fifth year for the program created to help local students further their education. This year, Tropical Financial selected eight students attending college and two recent high school grads who are starting college. Four scholarship recipients are from Broward County, five are from Miami and one is from Palm Beach County.

Congratulations to:

Rich Helber, president/CEO of Tropical Financial Credit Union with JP Taravella graduate Chelsea Gerena.

Ashley Aguiar –  Senior at Miami Springs Senior High. Will attend University of Florida.

Amber Brocki –  Senior at JP Taravella. Will attend University of South Florida.

Chelsea Gerena – Senior at JP Taravella. Will attend the University of Florida.

Jasmine Green –  Senior at William H. Turner Technical Arts High School. Will attend Florida A&M University.

Bri Harrington –  Currently attending Florida Memorial University.

Mandy Hunnewell – Senior at Coral Reef High School. Will attend Florida International University.

Jolene Loreno –  Senior at Suncoast Community High. Will attend Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Orlando Martinez –  Currently attending John Hopkins University.

Alexa Mullings –  Senior at American Heritage. Will attend Florida State University.

Alejandro Vecchio –  Senior at Plantation High School. Will attend University of Florida.

 All of the applicants were required to submit an essay highlighting their personal and educational objectives and how Tropical Financial has, or could, help them reach financial goals. Other factors considered: community involvement, charity work and extracurricular activities.

Tropical Financial Credit Union is located at 1201 N. University Drive Coral Springs, FL 33071.