News

First Harvest Credit Union has awarded $16,000 in total scholarships during its annual scholarship giving season. First Harvest carried out its 2024 First Harvest Scholarship Program this month by awarding a total of $12,000 in scholarships to bring students closer to achieving their future academic endeavors. Additional scholarship funds were given to various Southern New Jersey school districts within First Harvest’s field of membership. 

2024 First Harvest Scholarship Program

This year, First Harvest awarded six graduating high school senior members each with a $2,000 scholarship to use towards the cost of tuition. The 2024 Scholarship Committee selected the recipients based on scholarly merit, community involvement, and an essay sharing how they feel First Harvest can better serve younger members. Applicants who were graduating high school senior members and have been formally accepted into an accredited two- or four-year college, university, trade, technical, or business school were eligible for the program.

"We have seen the increasing need for financial assistance to cover the costs of high education and we know the value and importance of investing in our future community leaders,” stated First Harvest President & CEO, Mike Dinneen. “This year, we increased our individual scholarship total per student and extended our giving to various South Jersey school districts to help alleviate some of the financial burdens these students will face in their pursuit of higher learning. There is no greater investment that a credit union can make than in the education and development of its student members, and we wish our scholarship recipients success in all their future endeavors.”

2024 First Harvest Scholarship Program Recipients

Royal Barley
Royal graduated from Pleasantville High School and plans to attend Montclair State University. He was named to his high school’s Merit Roll and took part in various clubs and activities, including Mock Trial, Esports, and was the VP of his school's Diaspora Club. He also volunteered during his community food drive this past winter. Royal's career goals include attending medical school to become a pediatrician.

Cairee Cooper
Cairee graduated from Deptford Township High School and plans to pursue a degree in Science and Technology at Temple University. He is an active member in his school and local community, having played varsity high school basketball, was a member of the Christian Athletes Club, and completed many hours of community service for several organizations. Cairee’s career goals include giving back to underserved students in Philadelphia or Camden by teaching high school science or technology and coaching basketball, all while pursuing his Master’s Degree in Computer Science. After earning his degree, Cairee would like to transition to the world of technology and work for Google or another large tech company.

Jiesha Landell
Jiesha graduated Summa Cum Laude from Vineland High School and plans to express herself and her creativity by majoring in illustration at Stockton University. She took part in various activities throughout her high school career, including playing on the volleyball team and being the VP of her Art Club. Jiesha’s future aspirations are to be a well-known illustrator for young people, with her illustrations being included in various books, market products, and even character posters.

Caitlin Mulligan
Caitlin graduated from Haddonfield Memorial High School with plans to attend the University of South Carolina. She has challenged herself academically with several Advancement Placement classes and was a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. Caitlin participated in many extracurricular activities, including the Student Athlete Leadership Team, Student Council, the Leo Club, and was a Peer Leader. She was a member of her high school’s soccer and tennis teams and was captain of her conference championship basketball team. She volunteers in her community as Referee Coordinator for her local youth basketball association and is a part of the Forget Me Knot Flowers organization. Caitlin’s career plans are to pursue a degree in Accounting or Finance and hopes to work for a collegiate or professional athletic organization. 

Dylan Segovia
Dylan graduated from Olathe East High School and plans to attend Colorado Christian University. He was an active member of his school community as a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was also captain of his high school’s soccer team, helping them win the Kansas 6A State Soccer Championships, and even trained in Spain at Malaga CF Youth Academy. He volunteers during his free time at the Westside Family Church. Dylan’s career goals include pursuing an Industrial Engineering degree and hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps by joining an engineering company after graduation.

Alyssa Taylor
Alyssa graduated from Woodbury Junior-Senior High School with plans to attend Rutgers University. In her free time, she enjoys journaling, reading, and volunteering in her community at St. John Baptist Church. She was named a Rutgers Future Scholar and an Alfredo Santiago Scholar in addition to the many extra-curricular roles she took on, like managing and coaching her high school basketball team and playing on the Leap Intramural Basketball team. Alyssa’s future goals include studying abroad to learn from other cultures, obtaining her Master’s in Criminal Justice, and pursuing her dream career of becoming a Forensic Photographer.