For more than a decade, American Airlines Federal Credit Union has been proud to invest in the futures of its young member-owners by providing scholarship awards toward higher education. This year, out of more than 500 initial applicants, the Credit Union was pleased to award a total of 11 scholarships. Six high school students and five college students each received $5,000 scholarships.

“This year’s scholarship recipients have had to deal with a great deal more than previous winners, with the pandemic affecting many of the traditional rites of passage we often take for granted,” said Lori Hall, Senior Vice President of Member Experience at American Airlines Credit Union. “While we wish we could have awarded them these honors in person, we have no doubt that their perseverance through these troubling times means they are destined for great things in the future.”

High School Recipients

Daeden Gordon-Somers-Archer – Forest Hills, New York

Attending: Cornell University
Studying: Animal Science

Nia Johnson – Uniondale, New York

Attending: Howard University
Studying: Global Health

Itbaan Nafi – Euless, Texas

Attending: Stanford University
Studying: International Relations and Economics

Jessica Nedry – Lighthouse Point, Florida

Attending: University of Southern California
Studying: Neuroscience

Israel Pacheco – Doral, Florida

Attending: University of Miami
Studying: Finance

Alexandra Quilty – Lantana, Texas

Attending: Dallas Baptist University
Studying: Communications

College Recipients

Gabrielle Abrazaldo – Mount Prospect, Illinois

Attending: Fordham University
Studying: International Studies

Kennedy Burrell – South Hollland, Illinois

Attending: University of Illinois
Studying: Community Health

Dianelis Lopez – Miami, Florida

Attending: Harvard University
Studying: Molecular and Cellular Biology

Isabel Moyer – Jupiter, Florida

Attending: Eckerd College
Studying: Marine Science and Animal Studies

Jameson Nowlan – Tucson, Arizona

Attending: Georgetown University
Studying: International Politics

Scholarship Awards Online Celebration

Previous recipients could collect their checks in person from Credit Union President & CEO Gail Enda at our annual shareholders meeting. But this year, COVID-19 concerns necessitated an online solution. Most of this year’s winners participated in a special online group video conference call with Gail; Lori Hall, Senior Vice President Member Experience; and Lori Reeves, Vice President Marketing and Business Development.

All of our winners got the opportunity to chat with and ask questions of Gail and Lori. Both gave insights into getting started on the path to creating good credit and developing smart budgeting habits. While this celebration certainly had a different feel than previous years, being online gave us a chance to “meet” our amazing group of winners from all over the country