Here’s some genuinely good news to brighten your day: Gesa Credit Union just handed out $150,000 in scholarship money to 69 students across the Pacific Northwest.
That’s real money going to real students who are working hard to build their futures.
The scholarships, part of Gesa’s 2026-2027 academic year program, went to a diverse group of students—some just starting their college journey, others already deep in their studies, and a bunch of impressive high schoolers who’ve been getting hands-on experience through Gesa’s unique intern program.
And this isn’t some new initiative they cooked up for good PR. Gesa has been doing this since 1987, which means they’ve now distributed over $1.2 million in scholarship funding over the years. That’s the kind of long-term community investment that actually makes a difference.
More Than Just Writing Checks
What makes Gesa’s approach particularly cool is their High School Credit Union (HSCU) Program. Picture this: students actually running real credit union branches inside their own high schools. Not pretend ones—fully functional branches where they handle actual transactions and serve real members.
The program has expanded to 25 partner schools across Washington, giving students the kind of practical financial services experience you simply can’t get from a textbook. We’re talking genuine leadership development, financial literacy skills, and career preparation that’ll serve them long after graduation day.
“This year’s outstanding applicants reminded me that these young leaders are already making a difference in their schools and communities,” said Brandon Allison, VP of Community Impact at Gesa Credit Union. “We are proud to continue our longstanding investment in student success and can’t wait to see all they will accomplish in the years ahead.”
Who Got the Scholarships?
The Gesa Community Foundation and the credit union’s Scholarship Selection Committee reviewed applications and selected recipients across four categories. Here’s the breakdown:
Continued Education
Hunter Ramez Farag (President’s Choice) – Kennewick
Jenifer Esmeralda Fabian Lazarit (President’s Choice) – Kennewick
Ashwin Joshi – Berkeley
Cristian Martinez Ramirez – Richland
Jaqueline Guzman-Guzman – Mesa
Julia Marie Saueressig – Pasco
Kameryn Nicole Miller – Richland
Maria de Jesus Martinez Castro – Pasco
Trenton Merle Russell – La Grande
Tysen Samuel Reed – Zillah
Entering Freshman
Brooks Kenneth Bishop (President’s Choice) – Seattle
Makiya Jag Woodruff (President’s Choice) – Richland
Afton Leah Mahoney – Richland
Allisson Dayanne Rafael Bautista – Pasco
Brackyn Reily Ricks – Walla Walla
Chloe Ruth Ditto – Yakima
Dylan Zane Trigg – Richland
Karen Magana Magana – Kennewick
Kate M Millet – Kennewick
Kyle Thomas Wesenberg – Puyallup
Levi Jason Garrison – Pasco
Makayla P. – Kennewick
Matia Louise Radermacher – Spokane
Victor Vladislavovich Petyuk – Richland
Loan Repayment
Brendan McEachran – Spokane
Londa Lee Brumpton – Mead
Lucas Leitner – Lewiston
Nancy F Otte – Kennewick
Rachelle Pauline Marie Henry – Renton
High School Credit Union Program
Emily Joy Waters (President’s Choice) – Spokane Valley
Scarlett Louise Lambert (President’s Choice) – Liberty Lake
Abigail Neang – Tacoma
Alexis Burns – Pasco
Alyn Daniela Diaz – Pasco
Anesia Joline Cortez – Richland
Audrey Nicole Baterman – Kennewick
Avery Louise Heskett – Greenacres
Avijot Singh – Pasco
Benjamin N. Lucatero – Pasco
Colby Allbee – Spokane Valley
David Leodegario Cisneros – Yakima
Dayana Joselynn Gonzalez – Pasco
Elia Grace Daugherty – West Richland
Elizabeth Kathleen Hollingsworth – Spokane
Ellie W. – Tacoma
Faith Tran – Spokane
Gabriela Elizabeth Stoaks – Tacoma
Gabriella Monet Phillipe – Spokane
Hermon M. – Seattle
Jairaj Sandhu – Richland
Jaxson Roderick Smith – Tacoma
Jeffrey Jordan Luke Sears – Pasco
Joseph M. – Kennewick
Julia Pavlivna Danilyuk – Pasco
Julia Hope Lyzanchuk – Yakima
Kate Lee Turnbull – Spokane
Leo Ngo – Renton
Logan R Cash – Tacoma
Marquis Wilson – Tacoma
Maya Nichole Knudsen – Spokane
Mylie Ella Lau – Liberty Lake
Na Le Dang – Tacoma
Ricardo F. – Yakima
Rowan Young-McMurchie – Richland
Samuel Skye McDonald – Richland
Sarai Feliciano Gaspar – West Richland
Tatyana Ayala – West Richland
Violet C. – Pasco
Yamil V. – Pasco
Congratulations to all the recipients—your hard work is paying off, and we’re rooting for you.
Related:
Gesa Credit Union Partners with Selah School District to Launch Student-Run High School Credit Union and New Fundraising Affinity Debit Card
Gesa Credit Union Partners with Lewis County Footsteps of Hope to Support Weekend Meals for Centralia High School Students